Flaptail We Miss You!

[hardcore from shore]

Steve was my favorite seminar presenter. He always had time to share his ideas. Yet he always made you think yours were good as well when you had a chance to exchange ideas. At the last MSBA meeting he presented at we discussed how you needed to be in tune with the water flow and the lure and how it was working. At times you knew the lure was working exactly the way you wanted it and if it did not feel right maybe you just needed to change it.

Steve also was great when he talked to my dad about plugs and plug building every time we chatted at an MSBA Expo. We gave Steve one of my dad's squid imitations. I believe everyone wanted to give Steve a lure since he was so willing to give us all a bit of his vast knowledge and we wanted to do more than just take, regardless of how willing he was to give.

[beamie]

HBD Steve,

Only spoke with him very shortly a couple times and he wouldn't know me from any other guy at a show.

This may sound High Schoolish but a couple years ago I asked Flap in a PM to help me match a flyreel to an Awesome flyrod I won a few years ago at the Mass Bass Banquet raffle, he replied right away.............................................. .

I haven't erased that PM yet and from time to time still read it.......................

[mrstriper]

I remember fishing with Flap one night at one of his favorite spots...he pulled in the parking area as I was walking off the beach...I said nothing tonight!! Steve said wait right there, you're not going anywhere, your leaving TOO SOON...I agreed to walk back out with him, knowing as most say, that at least I could learn stuff(I swear I would ask Steve a hundred questions a night and he would answer them all, and I would write notes about our conversation when I got home)...
when we got to the spot, Steve said they are here, cast right there, as he pointed with his rod to a spot. one cast, twenty# pounder. My only fish of the night, but one of my favorites with Steve, and most memorable. Learned about the yellow sharpie/5" bait trick that night too!!!
Well, steve happy birthday!!!! I will be fishing your favorite spot this week with Biteme(as we are both on vacation---again!!!) and the only thing I can say is thanks for the memories, all of your writing, all of your info., and that you my friend have indeed left TOO SOON.

[saltydog]

I never fished with Flaptail aka Steve Shiraka, only met him at PLUG FESTS to talk to. BUT from all the stories of him, the world would be a better place with more Flaptail aka Steve Shiraka. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
GOOD LUCK GOOD PLUGGIN