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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T&P TO HIS FAMILY AND ALL HIS FRIENDS ON HERE AS WELL

Wow , this is really getting to suck ,
Mike was one of a group of guys I met the 1st year I was on the site . all class .

I once picked out a blank & eyes, etc ....... called Mike .he invited to his home to discuss the building of the rod ......I knew what I wanted , But I suck in explaining things . But Mike got it ............................. He made me a perfect weightless sluggo rod ..................... When I went to pick it up he had put [Clamdigger ]on it .bpttom of the blank ......... Mike ,, once Denis repairs it I promise to take care of it ><<

Very sad news.

R.I.P. Saltheart ~

RIP Saltheart

It's been a long time since the beginning, how many years Mike, when did the journey begin? It was fun back in the early days, get together at M&D's, Slips house, Westerly fishing get together, Hooters and some very spirited threads at times. Hard to think about some of the good guys we have now lost, shared a beer with all of them, talking about what we all love.

Billy on SOL made a comment that someone here might be able to help with: that someone who might know him well enough could get in touch with whatever family he has and point them to these two sites so they can digest the impact he had on so many people. I feel like a lot of you may have known him well enough to assist in that and it might bring a smile to someone's face during an obviously sad time.
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Very sad new RIP.

Very sad news. I will pray for the family at this time of sorrow.

Wow this was shocking news. I never personally met mike but through the many years on this site getting info and tips from Mike on rod building. He will be missed. T&P to loved ones. R.I.P. SALTHEART

RIP. My condolences to his family and friends.
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RIP Mike, very nice guy always willing to share. I still have a few of the ball 3 oz ball jigs that I got from him. He made some very nice rods

Nothing I can say that has not already been said. Sad news. RIP

Damn, terrible news. RIP Mike
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Condolences to Mikes Family, Rest in peace Mike.

I can't believe that it took me so long to see this. Mike was a great guy. Always a huge smile on his face every time I saw him.

T&P from my family for his loved ones.

Miss ya Mike...see you on the other side.

Rick

this is shocking and so sudden

Rest in Peace SALTHEART ....

Rest in Peace Mike
I always felt a connection with Mike being both engineers of different fields. I would sit beside Mike at the TFCTFN and absorb all he had to say to those around him. Because his knee would bother him I would ask him what he wanted on the desert table and then get him a plate of desert. Mike shared with me the key to success with working poppers is to go slow, I will always keep you in mind when I work the popper as you stated. You will be missed, tight lines
Condolences to Family and friends.
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Rest in peace Saltheart. Tight lines.
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Thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends ... RIP Saltheart.

This.

So sad.

-spence
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