From the most recent Madison-Gallatin TU newsletter….

In celebration of Don Williams’ life, The Williams Family, JBTU (Joe Brooks TU, Livingston) & the Rib & Chop House are going to have a gathering to celebrate our buddy, Don Williams on Nov. 15th, 7 pm, @ the Rib & Chop House. Being that Don passed during the ‘busy season’ for most of you, we thought that it was only right to get together when it slowed down to hoist a few for Mr. Williams. The beer and appetizers are on us.

TU lost a great friend this last summer when Don Williams passed away. Donnie was a guide and outfitter for over 50 years mainly in Park County. He also had clients who used him as their guide all over the world. Don was born, raised and lived in Park County for his entire 75 years. All though many knew him as a great fishing and hunting guide, I knew him as a conservationist and a good friend. Don was a member of the Joe Brooks chapter of TU (JBTU) for over 25 years with many of those years as a board member. During my years as the president of JBTU, Donnie was my “go to guy” when I needed some help, he was always there.  Don’s love for the Yellowstone ran deep just as the river itself did and he worked hard all his life to uphold the mission of JBTU; conserve, protect and restore the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. JBTU will be renaming one their annual awards they give during their banquet from the “JBTU Member of the Year” to one that honors Don Williams this next year. While we all will miss Donnie Williams, he is always with us especially when we are on the Yellowstone.

Kerry Fee
Past President, JBTU

Another tribute to Don posted on the Yellowstone Angler 21 August 2011…..

Don “Willie” (as his school mates called him) was one of those guys you rarely meet in life.  Aside from being an unbelievable sportsman and guide, Don was someone that everyone looked up to and wanted to spend time with.  He had the charisma and skills of Lee Wulff, Joe Brooks, and Lefty Kreh.  Talk about an example of a career path – Don was paid to hunt and fish the world he loved so much.  As a conservationist, Don was one of the hardest workers the Joe Brooks Trout Unlimited chapter has ever seen.  His efforts to clean, preserve, and protect our waters were inspiring and significant.   You could see how much he wanted the next generation to enjoy the outdoors as he had.  Don was a tough guy and his soul shined through his multiple bouts of chemo.  Next time you’re fishing the Yellowstone, think about Chester and Don and perhaps one of them will come down and hook you up to a big brown…

Anyone out there who knew Don or went out on a trip with him over the years and can’t make the tribute dinner – think about sending a note to his family with a kind word. Though we didn’t expressly ask them, I’ll bet the JBTU guys would be more than happy to pass those along to the family.

Aspiring Montana guides have some damn big shoes to fill.

Image via JBTU.

Tags: People of Fly Fishing

The one who must be obeyed desired a burger, tots, and a cherry coke at Mark’s for a late lunch today.  She earned it this week.

A drive to Livingston must always include a peek at the Yellowstone; despite the warmer weather and the melt of a fair volume of the low-level snow, she looked a fishable green today at Carter’s with at least a foot of visibility (and probably more).  Warmer temps the next two days should put a little more color in the river.

Tags: River - Yellowstone

Downtown Bozeman yesterday morning (the 49 on the plate signifies our neighbors to the east:  Park County – Livingston).

Tags: Culture, Books, Art

Jake and I had to run over the hill to Livingston today for a lunch meeting.  Yes, lunch was good, the business meeting went well.  One cannot travel to Livingston without a glance at the Yellowstone, so we left our lunch meeting and headed down to Carter’s. 

Passed an interesting lawn mower rig in a driveway in town -  Montanans like power equipment, especially power equipment you can drive and with multiple attachments. 

Carter’s was a beehive of activity about 1:30 today – boats up and downstream as you can see from the pictures below.  Damn, it was cloudy with scattered rain showers and 51 in Livingston – can you say almost perfect spring conditions???

Tags: River - Yellowstone