First, I would like to thank everyone for your support through these extremely tough times. Life without Cathy is not going to be easy, but I am going to do my best. I have been overwhelmed with phone calls, cards, and the many many friends who stopped by the cabin. It is a true testament to the person Cathy was- I'm not sure she ever realized just how many lives she touched.
Sara Cheheyl was one of Cathy’s very best friends, and it was Sara who lives in Ohio who came and stayed for over a week, and in Sara’s typical fashion- took over the job of handling almost anything from food to organizing people and family that sometimes over filled our small cabin. Hank Ingram from Frontiers worked tirelessly from the moment he heard of Cathy's passing to get her home from Argentina. This was an almost impossible job, and I can’t imagine what I would have done without Hank. Larry Cooney who stayed with me in Argentina and flew home with me, I can never thank you enough for being with me at the most difficult time of my life. Brooke and Susie here in the office thank you so much, I love you both. Ross Purnell from Fly Fisherman Magazine as always, a true friend who is always ready to help. There are so many more of you, and I hope you know who you are and how much I appreciate your friendship.
So, what’s next for me? Well, I’ve been hearing that question a lot lately and at first, I really wasn’t sure. My life has always involved my love of fly fishing and photography so I see no need to change that now and I know that Cathy would agree. She would want me to continue what we started together. We used to joke about Willie Nelson's song On The Road Again because most years we spent between 250 and 300 days on the road, mostly hosting fly fishing groups around the world for Frontiers. We would laugh and call ourselves roadies, but it was the life we chose, and we felt very blessed for the opportunity.
Moving forward I will continue to get back on the road again and will be hosting fly fishing trips and African photo safaris for Frontiers. In my opinion Frontiers is the best sporting travel business out there. Along with my travel, our professional guide staff here on my home water of Fishing Creek will continue to offer on stream guiding and fly fishing schools. I will personally be teaching private fly casting and casting tune ups on our casting ponds . You can find a list of my hosted trips with dates and destinations well as information on our guiding, fly fishing schools and private casting lessons on our website which we will link below. I look forward to traveling with you on a hosted departure or spending time with you here on Fishing Creek in the near future.
Thank you all again for your continued love and support. Blessings to all your families this Easter weekend.
BARRY