Norm

Posted By on December 5, 2009

The constellation of north Texas fly fishing lost one of its biggest stars this past weekend – Norm Goheen. If you knew Norm, you know that words find a difficult time describing his larger-than-life character. I have one of his business cards which states:

Norm Goheen’s Rod Repair & Alchemy
Lies told
Tales spun
Rumors verified
Youth sought
Age achieved
Secrets revealed
Dry flied sunk
Tailing loops made
Rivers waded
Waders filled
“Piscaro itaque dicet mendacium”
Norm did it all in the world of fly fishing; spey casting for Atlantic salmon to building fine rods. I have a little one wt. rod I use for small, alpine streams when backpacking that Norm made for me a few summers ago. Hopefully, Norm will be there with me next summer chasing cutthroats in the Weminuche.
I had the honor of taking him on one of his last fishing trips; stalking carp on the flats of Ray Roberts. Norm had resisted for years – saying that he’d “rather catch a brick in the backyard” or “I’ll go – but you’ll have to hook, fight, and take the fish off – and clean my rod when you’re done!” I was so happy when Norm agreed to go and commented on his choice of rods – an 8 foot 6 wt. bamboo (of course) that he made years ago. His reply was classic Norm . . . “I hate this rod. I was hoping one of the ugly bastards would break it.”
So, in fine Celtic tradition, here’s an Irish wake poem for Norm:
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So He put his arms around you and whispered “come to me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

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About the author

Joel Hays has been a professional guide since 1990, and has guided professionally in Colorado and Texas.

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North Texas Fly Fishing Adventures with Joel Hays

Imagine wading through ten inches of clear water,trying to be as quiet as possible. Fifty feet ahead is a pod of large fish "tailing" on the flat. You strip out fly line, make the cast, and pull your fly in front of the lead fish. After agonizing seconds the fish spots the fly, rushes forward for a quick grab, and feels the hook. The silence is broken as the fish accelerates across the flat, quickly exposing backing on your screaming reel. Sounds like a great day on the coast, or even an exotic bonefish flat, right? Actually it's a great description of the usual day my clients have fishing for Carp on the flats of Lake Ray Roberts where many clients are blown away by the water clarity and the actual ability to sight cast along miles of flats. Big spooky fish in shallow water. They fight and tail like Redfish and can sometimes rival Bonefish in nervousness. This is an EXCELLENT WAY to hone your flats fishing skills and test your "eyes" where it's more about stalking the fish than simply stumbling upon them. You will be a better flats angler!