http://www.nwfishing.com

Liam with a nice Rocky Ford Rainbow - Fall '98

Thanks to Jeff Clark for the following tragic announcement:

W H A T C O M  C R E E K, WASHINGTON - June 10, 1999
Many of you have probably read reports on this site from 19-year old avid flyfisherman Liam Wood. Liam lived for fishing and enjoyed catching trout, salmon, and steelhead on the fly in the Skagit, Sauk, Samish, Rocky Ford, and Whatcom Creek. Liam was a student in my Northwest Literature class at Sehome High School, and was also my teacher.
   As a beginner flyfisherman, he helped me with advice and tips on where to go and how to fish. Perhaps many of you benefitted from the fishing reports he submitted to this site and others.
   I am very sad to report that Liam perished in the explosion that resulted after 85,000 gallons of gasoline spilled into Whatcom Creek last night and subsequently ignited and exploded. Liam's body was found in the creek by searchers. I can only imagine that his heart was broken seeing the gas spill into his beloved home waters just before he died in the resulting explosion. I hope the flyfishing community will create some sort of memorial in Liam's name. He was a kind and generous young man, and fishing was in his heart and soul.

Liam's Reports:

Nooksack River - Jan. 30, 1999

Skagit River - Dec. 5, 1998

Rocky Ford Creek - May 9, 1998

Nooksack River - Jan. 3, 1998

Nooksack River - Dec. 20, 1997

Skagit River - Sept. 17, 1997

Skagit River - Sept. 14, 1997

Skagit River - Sept. 7, 1997

Rocky Ford Creek - April 19, 1997

Nooksack River - March 8, 1997

N. Fork Stilly - Feb. 8, 1997

Liam, we all miss you, I hope the fish are rising and that your waders never get a chance to dry where you are now...

-Dave Weitl - Statewide Editor
June 18, 1999

More testimonials:

I've finally gotten around to emailing you about Liam's death, but when I went in to check the website first, was thankful to find that Jeff Clark had already done so.
As you know, Liam was an avid reader and happy contributor to NW Fishing.com. So often when I'd come into the house, he'd be checking out the site and telling me the fishing news. I thank you so much for providing a connection for him and for the many others who treasure the natural world. Please keep doing what you're doing. It has an influence far beyond what you may know, and perhaps beyond what you dream.

With warm regards and deep sadness,

Marlene Robinson - June 19, 1999
Liam's mom

Yes, Liam's death is a tragedy--he was a bright spot in the classroom for me, too--I've known Liam this last year through first a practicum then student teaching in an English class at Sehome High School. We'd talk fishing every other day, and I'd see him at H+H Sporting Goods (where he worked) a few times a week as well. Never have I met such a man his age dedicated to preserving flyfishing opportunities statewide.
   Liam also wrote about his experiences in Creative Writing, which brought me many hours of laughter. He had a pen hand to match that rod thumb!
   There is some consolation in knowing that he died with his waders on, but not much--such a driven individual, with a rainbow-bright future ahead of him...a part of every stream, every fish, every delicate cast darkend with his death.
   I appreciate your posting of his river reports on this page. Liam will be remembered.

Maurice Austin - June 20, 1999
Bellingham, WA