Bill Kiene semi-retired
07-05-2021, 07:31 PM
Over thirty years ago "the other" Jeff Putnam walked into our shop in the Fall.
He was a younger, tall, good looking guy and very funny too.
He told us that he was single and drove the big yellow heavy equipment for Teichert and Granite Construction Companies.
Jeff told us that most winters it rained and their was no work for him.
He said that he wanted to go on a trip in the winter time.
OK......so staff memeber Chris Pasley told him we went every February to Christmas Island for Bonefish and Trevally.
Back then we told him the trip was around $2,000 and he signed up immediately.
Jeff also told us he had never fly fished for anything, let alone saltwater species.
He told us that he would practice a lot before he went.
He bought an 8 weight outfit and proceeded to practice his casting.....we all helped.
________________________________________
Here is the rest of the story:
We are into the second day of that trip and I was walking around the dining room chatting from table to table.
At one table was for old timers in their 70s who did not look too happy.
They told me that if the plan came the next day they would all leave this crappy place.
I was shocked a little and told them that many other were doing well.
Then I walked over to the table with younger fellows like Jeff Putnam, Chris Pasley and Don Rotsma.
I asked them how they were doing? Chris said that Jeff Putnam has landed over 30 that day.
I said "I thought Putnam had never fly fished?" Jeff spoke up and said "Yes, but I practiced every day for 3 months."
The next day we put one of those old guys with 3 younger guys and all was well from then on.
17183
Jeff landed a 34" Bonefish that week so he was nicknamed "Big Bone".
This is us, 30+ years later.
He was a younger, tall, good looking guy and very funny too.
He told us that he was single and drove the big yellow heavy equipment for Teichert and Granite Construction Companies.
Jeff told us that most winters it rained and their was no work for him.
He said that he wanted to go on a trip in the winter time.
OK......so staff memeber Chris Pasley told him we went every February to Christmas Island for Bonefish and Trevally.
Back then we told him the trip was around $2,000 and he signed up immediately.
Jeff also told us he had never fly fished for anything, let alone saltwater species.
He told us that he would practice a lot before he went.
He bought an 8 weight outfit and proceeded to practice his casting.....we all helped.
________________________________________
Here is the rest of the story:
We are into the second day of that trip and I was walking around the dining room chatting from table to table.
At one table was for old timers in their 70s who did not look too happy.
They told me that if the plan came the next day they would all leave this crappy place.
I was shocked a little and told them that many other were doing well.
Then I walked over to the table with younger fellows like Jeff Putnam, Chris Pasley and Don Rotsma.
I asked them how they were doing? Chris said that Jeff Putnam has landed over 30 that day.
I said "I thought Putnam had never fly fished?" Jeff spoke up and said "Yes, but I practiced every day for 3 months."
The next day we put one of those old guys with 3 younger guys and all was well from then on.
17183
Jeff landed a 34" Bonefish that week so he was nicknamed "Big Bone".
This is us, 30+ years later.