Paddle-Fishing.com

Personally, I think it is time to have the Ultimate Paddle-In to honor JayB and to raise funds for the American Cancer Society or the charity Jay's family and friends would want us to contribute to.

Fishing, camping, drinking, and camaraderie would be mandatory.
Catching trout would be optional.

Dayam, I am still PO'd that we lost this wonderful person. And I am fully ready to assist in some sort of paddle-fishing event to honor Our Captain.

Whatever you guys are planning to honor JayB, count me in!

As I read all the post from those that had the honor to know Jay, my eyes teared up with the love you have expressed for him. I am sorry that I was not one of the "lucky ones" to have met him and been touched so profoundly by his friendship, whit and humor. I can see, from those of you that did get to know Jay well, you have been given a gift from his heart. My only sorrow is that I never got to know him like many of you have.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

J.P. FROG wrote:As I read all the post from those that had the honor to know Jay, my eyes teared up with the love you have expressed for him. I am sorry that I was not one of the "lucky ones" to have met him and been touched so profoundly by his friendship, whit and humor. I can see, from those of you that did get to know Jay well, you have been given a gift from his heart. My only sorrow is that I never got to know him like many of you have.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Trop---- you did meet JayB & Kathy .... at my house on AMI last year whe we held the "cook off."

Oops - Gary, not Trop.

What could I say that hasn't already been said. Today is the funeral and today like the past few have been filled with a feeling of profound loss, memories of Jay, the times we had together and what he meant to so many people.

I met Jay and John at the 2nd annual Osprey Bay No Motor Tournament after posting back and fourth with them on Captain Mel's site. We pretty much shot the shit and drank beer at the Captains meeting, poisoning our liver and lungs. From that day on they both grew larger than life in mine. The website was born and the rest was history.

Shortly after the birth of Paddle-DASH-Fishing.com there was a noticeable growth in the sport of kayak fishing. It is my belief that Jay and his limey side-kick have done what Lefty Kreh has done for his chosen sport, he brought it to the masses in a wonderfully easy and non-confrontational way.
It is also because of Jay and John that I am where I am now, in a successful business in which there has been many wonderful experiences and people-including the woman who will soon be my wife.
Jay has been constant guidance and inspiration during our formidable years with this website, he was quite often the voice of reason when things came up with others on the site or the fishing world. He would give his sage advice, pieces of wisdom and sometimes scold if necessary. It was this reason I would jokingly call him "Dad".

Until we meet again.

God speed Jay. I hope to someday be even half the man and friend that you have been mankind. I'm trying. Keep you scotch full and hope the fishing is good up there.

Paddle DASH Fishing.com


JayB's DASH touched so many.

http://www.thedashmovie.com/index.html


The Dash
by Linda Ellis


I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

© 1996 Linda Ellis

Thanks E.M.D.. Wonderful poem.

Thanks E.M.D.. Wonderful poem.

I second the sentiment. Perfect.

I had forgotten about that poem. Thanks, Momma.

Rest easy friend. I hope you took comfort in knowing how many lives were touch by your living legacy, Paddle-Fishing.com. I know it touched mine and for that I am eternally grateful.

That poem is perfect, thank you.

Even though I never met you Jay, I hear the impact you made in kayak fishing, and the friends you made by being such a good guy. I know you will always be remembered.

That poem is spot on.

Thanks for sharing, it's so perfectly appropriate.

TerryW wrote:Personally, I think it is time to have the Ultimate Paddle-In to honor JayB and to raise funds for the American Cancer Society or the charity Jay's family and friends would want us to contribute to.

Fishing, camping, drinking, and camaraderie would be mandatory.
Catching trout would be optional.

Dayam, I am still PO'd that we lost this wonderful person. And I am fully ready to assist in some sort of paddle-fishing event to honor Our Captain.

Whatever you guys are planning to honor JayB, count me in!

Ditto on this one!!!

And EMD... that poem is awesome!! Thanks so much for posting it.

Everyone I know and give a rats ass about in Florida traces back to that man. My wife saw the pic's everyone posted and read about him. After seeing the photo's , knowing he worked as a tech for the school system and that he knew to drink Scotch from a real glass and was a curmudgeon. She said good Lord thats you.
My reply "not on my best day"
Only fished with him once for Tarpon, " A Class act "
Rest in Peace

My prayers are with you all and his family.

Condolences to family and friends, he will be missed and always remembered.....