An encounter with the Great Lefty Kreh, of our mutual affection for Bonefishing;

It is appropriate to begin this writing about Bone Fish with an anecdote about my old pal Lefty Kreh; perhaps the best Fly caster, who ever lived.

I'm very lucky to say that while me and Lefty were not super close friends, we had met at a variety of flyfishing events over the years and spent time together occasionally at dinner.

In April 2015, I was with him at the American museum of flyfishing event in New York City honoring Tom Brokaw when Lefty was about 85 years of age. Lefty was there to present the Isaac Walton award to Mr. Brokaw.

I donated a trip to our retreat in Abaco to the Flyfishing Museum.  I was displaying my Scrimshaw and Gold Wildlife Art at this event, and I walked up to Lefty and said, “Hey Lefty, come over here and see my Scrimshaw Cufflink and blazer buttons.”

He came over and after looking at all of my samples, focused on a Bone Fish image I had on display, then turned to me and said, something he must've said 1000 times; “You know Jack, of the 116 species I've caught with a fly rod, the Bone Fish is my favorite!" I was ecstatic! It was and is my favorite as well.

I told Lefty I'd be happy to create any Scrimshaw item he wanted. I thought he would ask me for a belt, buckle and strap but no, after looking over the entire display he only asked for a lapel pen with a Bone Fish on it.

So a month later, I completed the pin and sent it along to Lefty at his home in Cockeysville, Maryland. In about a week, the phone rang and I was delightfully surprised to find Lefty was on the phone. He just received his lapel pen and was so excited. The first thing he said to me was, "People are always talking about stuff they are going to do but they never follow up, You followed through and I appreciate it, and that rarely happens… Thanks!”

We talked for about an hour. It was one of the most wonderful conversations I've ever had, and one of the highlights of my angling career.