Ive been selecting columns for a book of my favorites, written over the past 22 years for the editorial page of the Kennebec Journal and Waterville Morning Sentinel. I just came across this column about Gene Letourneau, published shortly after his funeral in 1998. I still miss Gene. How about you?

Gene Letourneaus last cast

The warm breeze wafting through Sacred Heart Church in Waterville last Thursday surely must have carried Gene Letourneaus spirit to the great hunting ground beyond our imagination.

As expected, Letourneaus funeral featured stories about fly fishing and hunting dogs, but we also heard about his musical talent, faith in God, and devotion to his family, especially his lovely wife Lou who died in 1996. The light went out for Gene then, and he began his own hike to join Lou. Hes there now, sipping that Heavenly cold clear spring water.

We are bereft, for the irreplaceable outdoor writer has left behind his canoe without so much as a wake we can ride for even a short way. His paddle dipped too quietly, I guess, for his bosses to realize the impact he was having on the people of Maine, his devoted readers and correspondents.

Genes daily outdoors column, titled Sportsmen Say, that started my day as a kid, is gone, found in none of todays daily newspapers, still wondering why theyre losing subscribers.

I was privileged to appear in a video of reverence and praise presented to Gene at his spectacular retirement party at the Augusta Civic Center a few years ago. My remarks focused on the real magic of his newspaper column, in the section called Chips from the blazed trail.

It was here that Gene presented first-hand reports he received in letters and phone calls from sportsmen throughout the state, accounts of their exciting adventures, latest fishing successes, hunting prowess or simple observations of wild birds and animals.

I always felt this was the secret of his column: he let the voices of his readers and fans be heard. Sportsmen Say. Indeed.

Gene connected with people, whether or not they shared his passion for hunting and fishing, because he presented Maines outdoor traditions in their own words, kept them informed, shared his extensive knowledge (while keeping some secret ponds to himself to protect those precious resources), always in simple, clear prose.

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Gene Letourneau’s Last Cast

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