We are saddened to learn that Walt Holman passed away yesterday morning. Although he lived in Madison, Alabama, Walt was born in Louisiana, and frequently came "home" with his lovely wife Gennie to enjoy the good food and great redfishing, as well as participate as a guest tier at events such as the Red Stick Fly Fishers conclaves where he was an annual fixture. Walt served in the U.S. Navy, later attended Auburn University where he was a member of the Auburn football team, and earned a degree in engineering. He took up tying after coming to the conclusion that he could make baits for a lot cheaper than what he bought at the store, just by using cork, wood and feathers and a few basic carpentry tools in his shop. Walt would go on to share his innovation... he was highly influential to many fly tiers across the country, including several Louisiana tiers who have since emulated his mastery of balsa flies. It's from Walt that several of us learned how to tie his foil covered poppers which have been so effective for bass and speckled trout (pictured is one of Walt's famous foil poppers). In addition to the events here in Louisiana, Walt and his wife Gennie were annual participants at Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Southern and Southeastern conclaves. His craftsmanship was as much art as it was design and execution. His donations of flies for various events have raised thousands of dollars over the course of three decades for clubs and councils. For his contributions to the art of the sport, Walt was recognized three times as FFF Southeastern Council "Fly Tier of the Year" as well as the 2013 FFF Buzz Buszek Award winner (lifetime recognition in fly tying achievement). His legacy of tying was only equaled by his legacy for teaching others. Walt was 84 years young, and will be greatly missed.
Written By: Glen "Catch" Cormier www.laflyfish.com
