Stan

[Flaptail]

Yesterday marked the end of an era. Stan's passing closes the door on the golden age of Striper fishing and the men and women who were part of that time. Innovator, outdorsman and one of the truly greatest Striper fisherman that ever stood watch on a breaking tide on his beloved canal or watched the sun rise on a lonely eastern beach after a long night casting into the dark and mysterious waters of the basses lair, he took on the demon that possesses so many of us and proved he was better than the rest.

Plug maker extrodinaire that fact that the company he founded is still in business is a testament to the study and understanding of what made Stripers take and what it took to make them respond to a certain shape, color and action. The fact that so many plugmakers, novice and professional alike, copy to this day, his original designs, is testimony of his being a breed apart.

And now he is with his old friends again, they have waited patiently for him these many years and he has finally come. Charlie, Bunny, Frank and his loving wife are there with him to show him the way and I am sure that the sun is shining and the wind blows gently southwest and the sound of the terns and gulls fills the air as they hover over the bright water off the beach and unmistakebly there is a roll and a boil just below the surface and he knows what to do.

He is at peace.