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 macknnc |
Leonard M. Wright Jr. |
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Posts: 2 06/12/2008 18:37 |
I'm a fan of this gentleman, but have no idea if he is even still among the living. I know the author blurb on "Flyfishing Heresies" says he was
a WWII fighter pilot, so he'd be over 80 if he is...(heck even we vets from Vietnam are 60 plus or pushing it)
Anyone know for sure if Lenoard M. Wright is still alive? |
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Shoeless Joe |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 781 06/12/2008 20:00 |
Leonard M. Wright, Jr. passed away on August 25, 2001 ... as a 2nd Lt. with the 79th Fighter Squadron/20th FG (King's Cliffe, UK), Wright was flying
a P-51D named, Nina Merle II (#44-1244) when he was shot down on February 24, 1945. He finished out the war as a prisoner in a Nurnberg POW
camp.
P-51D (Mustang) Nose Art S/N# 44-11661 334th FS/4th FG |
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bobbeegee |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 1732 06/12/2008 21:15 |
Being a Vietnam Veteran, though not having served in country, I will only express these thoughts for Lt. Wright's service in WWII.
Bob
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macknnc |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 3 06/13/2008 13:13 |
Thanks for the info guys....much appreciated.
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bswild |
Leonard M. Wright Jr. | #4 | ||
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Posts: 342 07/17/2008 20:23 |
Wright was among the finest of fishing writers. The instructional books of today have more graphics than text; and the text they do have is usually poorly
written. Both Leonard Wright and Al McClane had the ability to tell as story, as well as instruct. I continue to read both authors for the pleasure they give
me.
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vette89 |
Len Wright | #5 | ||
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Posts: 15 07/21/2008 09:16 |
I totally agree with bswild - Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect has long been one of my favorite books. I was lucky to recently purchase a signed copy at a very reasonable price, and I am re-reading this "classic" all over again... |
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bobbeegee |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1860 08/04/2008 17:56 |
I also agree with bswild. I was unaware of Mr. Wright until I read about him here.
I picked up a copy of "Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect" and finished reading it this last weekend. I must say I enjoyed it a lot. Most instructional books leave me either bored or cold. I never once lost interest reading this one. Obviously, Mr. Wright knew well of what he wrote.......and wrote most well. Ordering "The Ways of Trout" this evening. Bob |
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bswild |
Leonard Wright | #7 | ||
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Posts: 347 08/14/2008 08:55 |
The last book he wrote was called "Neversink," about his attempts to restore the river to its former trout fishing glory. It's another fine read.
Didn't know about Wright's war record. He was of that grand generation--he probably was too modest a man to mention his war years, should you have come
across him on the river bank. I remember his mentioning in his caddis book that he weighed "130 pounds after a steak dinner." Were smaller men
preferred as fighter pilots in WWII? Also: If there are any other books by Wright, besides the ones previously mentioned, I would like to know of them.
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robcane |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 349 08/14/2008 16:51 |
'Neversink' is a great read, especially since that's my favorite river and I have been fortunate to fish some of the water he discusses in the
book.
I have not read all of his titles but I don't recall him discussing his military service... which is not even mentioned in the little biographical blurb on the dust covers. Very modest man. Although I would suspect that thoughts of fly fishing and trout streams helped keep him sane during his hellish time as a POW. And afterward, the streams and the fish helped revive him physically, mentally and spiritually. Just as fly fishing has always done for me -- and I suspect the rest of you guys -- though my path has never been as rough as Mr. Wright's. The frontspiece of 'Neversink' lists these other books by Mr. Wright: Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect Fly-Fishing Heresies Where the Fish Are The Ways of Trout First Cast: The Beginners Guide to Fly-Fishing Superior Flies Stonefly and Caddis Fly-Fishing Here are a few photos of the Neversink and its headwaters 
We few We happy few We bamboo brothers |
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Shoeless Joe |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 831 08/14/2008 18:58 |
robcane wrote: Great shots of a beautiful river ... thank you for sharing them.
  
Pilot: Major Richard Bong & "Marge" (Bong's sweetheart/spouse) P-38J-15/#42-103993 ~ 9th FS/49th FG Highest Scoring American Ace ... EVER (40 confirmed) Recognizing the worth of these veterans is very important and even more important is to pass down this information to the younger generations, many of whom don't know a thing about World War II ... Marge Bong Drucker, 24-Sept-2002 |
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Flyman615 |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 2864 08/14/2008 20:29 |
Thanks much for the photos of the Neversink and the story behind Mr. Wright.
I have the utmost respect for the North American P-51 Mustang and the men who piloted them. "Classics" one and all. Post WWII, the Mustangs ended up with ANG units including one in my home state. As beautiful an airframe as has ever been designed, IMO. And their distinctive sound still gives me goosebumps...every time! Regards and thanks again, Flyman 
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bswild |
Leonard Wright | #11 | ||
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Posts: 349 08/14/2008 22:19 |
I guess the Neversink has come back; that's one fine brook trout. What rod do you have there in the pics? It's a looker, too. Love the P-51. But I
still love the lines of the British Supermarine Spitfire.
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robcane |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 350 08/14/2008 23:48 |
That's an AJ Thramer 7' 2/2 4wt. DX taper. Wonderful small-stream wand. The brookie is the largest one I caught in a Catskills stream... 15 inches. By way of full disclosure, the fish took a Stimulator deep and was bleeding. I couldn't revive him so we had him for dinner. Otherwise I usually don't put fish that I want to release on grass or rocks. The Neversink holds some nice fish, but like alot of rivers, you have to put in your time and do some hiking/bushwhacking to get to some of the pools that don't get pounded. I talk to guys who hit it a few times and leave shaking their heads and go away bewildered, never to return. It can be a fickle, frugal river, sometimes refusing to reveal even an ankle, but occasionally giving you your money's worth of, uh, action, and then some. We few We happy few We bamboo brothers |
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 nativebrownie |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 525 09/23/2008 10:15 |
Robcane,
Were you enjoying the few public waters or were you able to gain some time on the private sections? Due to this post, I picked up Neversink, another wonderful book from Mr. Wright- thanks. Would have loved to have met him ... NB |
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robcane |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 353 10/02/2008 19:50 |
NB,
Sorry, I didn't see your question 'til now. Most of those photos are of public stretches of the Neversink. There is some public water -- if you know where to look for it -- on the upper Neversink above the reservoir. I also belong to a group that owns land along some of the upper river, so I fish there. The reservoir itself, of course, is public, as long as you have a free NYC watershed permit. There are some tribs that enter the reservoir that hold brookies as well. And below the reservoir, there's alot of access via public fishing easements. Also, if you ask around you can get permission to fish some posted stretches. Drop me a line if you need more info. Rob We few We happy few We bamboo brothers |
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