Randy (Gerry Randolph)

Our fly-fishing community lost a shining light recently. Randy suffered a debilitating stroke and passed away at EIRMC on August 19th. He was born one of triplet brothers, 1947, in La Grange City, Texas.

Randy was a fly fisher and fly tier to the core. Always interested in fishing still waters, he became a fly fisherman in younger years after attending shows in his native Texas. Tying bass bugs, in particular, fascinated him. After a stint in the armed services, he moved to southern California and developed his interest in fly fishing and fly tying through attending and participating in regional sporting shows. His painted balsa or cork renditions became famed enough that the motion picture industry took notice. Agents and managers flocked to his doors to obtain superb renditions for fly fishing actors seeking escape from grueling schedules and demanding directors. Eventually he transferred to Redding, CA working for Pacific Gas and Electric as a public relations specialist.

Nearby Shasta Lake was his favorite fishing location and the numerous fly-fishing shows in 1990s advanced his bass bug tying reputation. He was featured in the fly-tying demos of shows throughout California as his tying reputation grew to the national level. Such as Dave Whitlock, Andy Puyans and Doug Gibson promoted his skills. However, Redding’s crime, social and infrastructure problems convinced him to seek a more tranquil location. One of the shows he attended was the International Sportsman’s Exhibition held in San Mateo, CA. Here he met some attendees from eastern Idaho. He was informed of the 2003 FFF Conclave to be held in Idaho Falls. He attended and offered a workshop on how to paint balsa and cork bodies. He enjoyed the local lifestyle and the way he was treated. Thus, he transferred his family to Idaho Falls in 2005 and immediately became part of its fly-fishing community. His favorite still waters became Clark Canyon Reservoir, Ennis Lake and Sand Creek Ponds. In the same time he altered his fly tying skill to include trout flies. Some incorporated his balsa and cork skills, but such as his BLM, Bruski, LST, balsa humpy, and others all trout flies tied with usual materials, proved superbly effective when properly presented. He framed a huge fly collection from which he gifted a number. Drawn to Jimmy Gabettas’ All Seasons Angler fly tying demos, he soon gave some of his own featuring his trout flies. But of more significance was his ability and commitment to use Jimmy’s cameras to record demo tiers and make CDs of each for years. He gifted these to each demo tier, to Jimmy, or anyone showing an unusual interest. He also promoted fly tying to minority youth.

Idaho has never experienced a fly fisher-fly tier like Randy. His tying ability and personality helped make East Idaho a domain of superb flytiers. His tying ability, generosity and upbeat personality was unique and will be sorely missed.