It was the Autumn of 1996, and though I didn’t know it at the time, I was on the verge of an awakening. It was a Tuesday, as I recall, and BP and I were scheduled to have lunch with one of our employee’s brothers-in law, John. I knew John by name and reputation only, though he was friends with my father. BP didn’t know him at all. The lunch was arranged by Linda, our employee, because we all shared one passion...fly fishing.

BP and I also had some alternative motives for John; 1) Find new fishing spots, and 2) Try to rent John’s cabin on the North Branch of the AuSable River.

John was not one for small talk, and before the entrees were even delivered to us he announced “If you guys want to do some real trout fishing, you need to get your asses up to my cabin... It’s open this weekend, you guys interested?” Shocked, BP and glanced at each other and sheepishly nodded... yes. Thus beginning a life long friendship with John, and a life long love affair with the brook trout of the North Branch.