RIP Mike...You will be missed....

Never met the man, but enjoyed his posts among the internet fishing communities. You have to say, that is a classic obituary photo. RIP.

Terrible news, I meet Mike back a couple years ago when he held his rod building class. He was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful throughout the class and beyond. I will forever remember him when I'm putting a new blank on the rod lathe. RIP Mike

Wow...RIP. I was actually going to ask him if he was going to do another rob building class. He's just down the street from me over the border in Cumberland. Sad to hear.

shocked at this. I was talking to him via pm's about a rod I was going to buy from him. Very sad to hear this. Hopefully his fishing gear doesn't get thrown out, hopefully one of his friends can take care of it.

Rest in peace. that's too bad
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He taught me a lot about brewing beer. Always kind. Always encouraging. Always ready to share his knowledge. I believe he knew his time was limited and was giving back what others gave to him.
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woww- so sad!

Wow, RIP Mike.

RIP - never met him either, but he was a great member here, I always thought he had something great to add..

I also had never met him, but enjoyed reading his posts.
Rest in Peace Saltheart

Wow! I am truly saddened to hear this. Mike was a great guy. Very knowledgable and easy to talk to. I remember sitting in his rod building room several years ago Talking various rods and fishing in general. We had a couple beers together and before we knew it, it was 1 AM.
Mike will sorely be missed on the fishing boards. Especially for his input to the rod building forums.
RIP Mike. It was a pleasure knowing you.

Oh God. This really sucks. Mike and I have known each other for close to 20 years. We fished together a few times, but not often enough, and I think he hadn't been fishing much over the last few years. Seeing him and Smokey was always a highlight of TFCTFN. Mike was the quintessential gentle giant. A very unselfish man who gave of himself to others.

RIP, my friend. Brush your teeth and say your prayers--that was how we always said good-bye. Condolences to his loved ones.

Very sad. Only 60 yrs old. RIP Michael.

RIP Mike.

TDF just texted me to check into the site.... Shocked and saddened. I have many good things and stories to tell, just not ready. Need to digest this....

Peach of a guy. Never an unpleasant word. Didn't he just have some kind of hernia query?
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Sorry to hear of his passing. I met him once at my first TFCTFN. Very genuine individual, always seemed very composed in his posting and moderating on the site.

Wow, Rest in peace. Have no words but share the same as others here. Part of me hopes this isnt true.
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So hard to believe. I was just over his house a few weeks ago cutting firewood. He was an awesome guy, very generous. Every time I would drop by his place I would bring him some wood, he was building a chess set. Mike helped me out in a lot of ways. Sad! You will be missed my friend. R.I.P.

RIP Saltheart.

a great person and a cornerstone in the fishing community, Mike you will be missed.

I found out very early this AM from a friend on the board. I was on my way to NYC but called John R to confirm.

I have no words. I am saddened beyond belief. Mike and I were coffee buddies at Dunkin' across from Lincoln Mall. I haven't been able to make it since the beginning of the new year.

RIP dear friend. :(

Way too young for this. I met Mike a couple of years ago to buy a reel he was selling. We have shared our ideas on rod building ever since. Great guy and a tremendous ambassador for our sport and this board. We will all miss his contributions.

A huge loss.

Wow this is very sad news, RIP Mike

Mike was one of the first guys I met on this board back in 2001. Great guy, eager to help out a newbie. I won an Allstar 1209 wrapped by him one year , and I also have a couple of others he built for me. I remember meeting him and Smokey at the canal, and then fishing Matunuck with just the two of them on one of the earliest four legs. He sure new his stuff. He will be missed by many in the fishing community.

RIP, my friend.

God Bless
Tight lines
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Rest in peace, Mike. You'll be missed. Condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.

Sixty yrs old. RIP makes you re evaluate what's really important. That is way too young.
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