A Shout-Out for TubeDude

[Mildog]

Matt, Therapist , glad to hear you are doing well. I didn’t know that was you?
Can’t add much to all the praise which is well deserved . I met and became friends with Pat over 40 years ago as well, we fished as you mentioned, from the Geneva bubble up to yuba, DC, Pelican, Strawberry, Willard “All nighters” in our float tubes ( oh some great stories there) and more. And as much of a great Angler, tackle crafter, fly tier and teacher of the art of angling that he is.
He is just an overall GREAT GUY!!! Kind of funny too!! Looks aside!

[TubeDude]

Matt, Therapist , glad to hear you are doing well. I  didn’t know that was you?
Can’t add much to all the praise which is well deserved . I met and became friends with Pat over 40 years ago as well, we fished as you mentioned, from the Geneva bubble up to yuba, DC, Pelican, Strawberry, Willard “All nighters” in our float tubes ( oh some great stories there) and more. And as much of a great Angler, tackle crafter, fly tier and teacher of the art of angling that he is.
He is just an overall GREAT GUY!!! Kind of funny too!! Looks aside!

Thanks, Pat-Too.  (Patrick...not Pat)  Remember the nighttime "gorilla floatillas" on Willard...with the bananas hanging over the back of the tube?

[Mildog]

Yes and the sail boat in the marina that seemed to have a school of fish under it one night. Then we realized there was some fishy business going on inside that boat!!! ?
He was none to happy when an overcast jig bounced and clunked off his boat and his tirade sent a few tubers off into the night at warp speed!! Well as fast as we could kick anyway!! Pre tube motor days ?
Fun times for sure!

[Springbuck1]

Twenty four years ago, having loved fishing all my life, I decided to learn how.  I had been doing more or less the same things that had worked my whole life.  My early bass, perch, and walleye efforts in Utah had been weak.  I had never caught a white bass, three trips tp UL as a kid had us puzzled about  catfish, wipers and walleye were for the elites, rhe same guys who k ow where geese and elk can be found, etc. 

I have had a  subscription to Outdoor Life NdField and Strsam all my life.  I checked the boards at Anglers Inn and Cabelas all the time, even called the DWR week-late fishing hotline.

My success and knowledge did not budge until I came to theis site 24 years ago and met TubeDude, and the rest of y'all. The first thing I picked up from him was the main missing piece of the puzzle: when to show up where, and then do what.  That's the one thing I somehow hadn't put together. 

If anyone really wants to honor such a good guys legacy in the future, it shoukd be by answering questions, sharing knowledge, etc.  I've told 30 people how to catch crappies through the ice at PV,  and there are still crappies there.  TD has shared so much knowledge and lakes do change, fisheries shift, but that's not because you or I helped a new guy.  I'm still snakebit on walleye, but I have gotten a good few wipers. 

 Every month of the year, I now have something I know to go try,that I want o do, and can probably catch fish doing. MOST of that is from TD, and the rest of the good folks here pick up the rest. 

I'd love to see guys like you never get old!  You are appreciated and loved here.

[fish_fear_me2]

I thought it would be nice to recognize Tube Dude for all that he has contributed to making all of us on the Big Fish Tackle site better fishermen/fisherwomen.

Because of a number of health issues he has not been able to get out in his beloved float tube and chase after the fish and make movies but he has still been helping folks improve their fishing skills.  That could mean posting maps to fishing access points, how to make lures/jigs/fligs, or teaching various techniques for catching fish.  I still have some of his “Hot Heads” to tie flies on.  He has also shared numerous recipes and preparations’ for your catch.

He has created a boat load of documents and a DVD on all things fishing and has shared them with anyone with a desire to learn.  Pat is pioneer in float tubing and has been able to modify his tubes over the years to be able to accommodate more fishing equipment than you can fit in an SUV.

I have had the pleasure to fish with Pat on a few occasions over the years and he has always been very helpful and entertaining with his humor.  I’m sorry Pat, that you can’t join me on the water anymore but we had a good run.


Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge of all things fishing with this lowly fly flinger.  I will always value our friendship and share your love of float tubing.

I agree Pat has given much to the fishing community and has always been a Gentleman.

[fish_fear_me2]

WOW!  Thanks for all the kindly comments.  Good to know that all of my blue letter drivel has not been totally ignored.  And glad I have been able to help a few folks.  As I have grown older I find that I get almost as much enjoys out of helping others catch more fish than simply catching a bunch my own self.

Some of you know my current situation.  Some don't.  I started declining in physical capacity about mid year 2024.  Totally lost vision in my left eye and my hearing got progressively worse.  Then my knees and hips started whimpering every time I walked any distance...or went through the rigors of setting up, fishing, repacking everything and then unloading at home.  About the time I was accepting reality, my wife went through an extended hospital stay and ended up with an ileostomy (colon removal) and acquired an ostomy bag. A few years earlier she had a long battle with ovarian cancer...for which she had major surgeries and two rounds of vicious chemo.  The cancer came back and she elected not to have radiation or chemo.  She was pretty weak.  The next two months were miserable for her...and for me.  Her goal was to hang on until Christmas...for the sake of her beloved grandkids.  But she didn't make it.  She passed on December 8. 

After two months of serving as primary caregiver...up and down stairs all day...I was wiped out...physically and mentally.  My daughter saved my life...literally.  She got me out of the house and moved me in with her and her husband in Saratoga Springs.  It took a while but I am much better now...although not likely to be doing any more fishing.  However, I check in on the board a couple of times a day and try to offer info and assistance when I can.

I really appreciate the ongoing communication with a few folks on the board.  And I am humbled by all of the kindly comments.  Thanks.
 

Thank you Pat for all you have done for
Fishing community. I miss the fabulous fishing machine.

[GSP]

Just saw this.  Rarely on here anymore.  Everything everyone has said and then some.  Thank you for everything you taught me and provided to me.  The BL pony jigs I accumulated will outlast me, I obtained so many of them.  My son and grandkids will still be using them when I'm done.

Thanks!

David Gallegos

[jamon_negro]

WOW!  Thanks for all the kindly comments.  Good to know that all of my blue letter drivel has not been totally ignored.  And glad I have been able to help a few folks.  As I have grown older I find that I get almost as much enjoys out of helping others catch more fish than simply catching a bunch my own self.

Some of you know my current situation.  Some don't.  I started declining in physical capacity about mid year 2024.  Totally lost vision in my left eye and my hearing got progressively worse.  Then my knees and hips started whimpering every time I walked any distance...or went through the rigors of setting up, fishing, repacking everything and then unloading at home.  About the time I was accepting reality, my wife went through an extended hospital stay and ended up with an ileostomy (colon removal) and acquired an ostomy bag. A few years earlier she had a long battle with ovarian cancer...for which she had major surgeries and two rounds of vicious chemo.  The cancer came back and she elected not to have radiation or chemo.  She was pretty weak.  The next two months were miserable for her...and for me.  Her goal was to hang on until Christmas...for the sake of her beloved grandkids.  But she didn't make it.  She passed on December 8. 

After two months of serving as primary caregiver...up and down stairs all day...I was wiped out...physically and mentally.  My daughter saved my life...literally.  She got me out of the house and moved me in with her and her husband in Saratoga Springs.  It took a while but I am much better now...although not likely to be doing any more fishing.  However, I check in on the board a couple of times a day and try to offer info and assistance when I can.

I really appreciate the ongoing communication with a few folks on the board.  And I am humbled by all of the kindly comments.  Thanks.
 

Hey Pat, it's been a long while since I've been on here but when I saw this post I wanted to add my appreciation.  So sorry to hear about your beautiful wife and your health struggles.  I can't thank you enough for all the information and goodness that you have shared here over the years!  When I was in graduate school you helped keep me sane by teaching me how to pour lead and make some of your awesome fishing lures.  The lures I got from you as well as the ice fishing rod you helped me make are some of my most prized fishing possessions.  I think I even caught my largest trout ever on one of the CopperPat maribou jigs I got from you.  Seriously, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  

I attached the pic of the tiger trout I caught with your CopperPat jig just to prove it isn't a fish story.  I think that was 2019 so it's been a long time since I was able to visit tubetorium.    

[Dirt Bag]

I thought it would be nice to recognize Tube Dude for all that he has contributed to making all of us on the Big Fish Tackle site better fishermen/fisherwomen.

Because of a number of health issues he has not been able to get out in his beloved float tube and chase after the fish and make movies but he has still been helping folks improve their fishing skills.  That could mean posting maps to fishing access points, how to make lures/jigs/fligs, or teaching various techniques for catching fish.  I still have some of his “Hot Heads” to tie flies on.  He has also shared numerous recipes and preparations’ for your catch.

He has created a boat load of documents and a DVD on all things fishing and has shared them with anyone with a desire to learn.  Pat is pioneer in float tubing and has been able to modify his tubes over the years to be able to accommodate more fishing equipment than you can fit in an SUV.

I have had the pleasure to fish with Pat on a few occasions over the years and he has always been very helpful and entertaining with his humor.  I’m sorry Pat, that you can’t join me on the water anymore but we had a good run.


Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge of all things fishing with this lowly fly flinger.  I will always value our friendship and share your love of float tubing.









Tube Dude is truly a legend.  Thank you for you wonderful psosts and sharing your fishing adventures with the group.  

[Saltslam]

It's a bummer you can't fish any more tubedude, but you are the epitome of a life well lived! I asked a question of you on the forum years ago and you responded almost immediately, not knowing me from Adam. Your shared knowledge has made myself and others better fishermen and fisherwomen without a doubt. You are an excellent example of a selfless person. Thanks for all you've shared and will continue to share.

[MrShane]

Pat,
Thank you for helping me figure out how to make my own jigs many moons ago.
I have done my best to raise water levels by strategically placing them between rocks and attaching them to branches below the waterline.
Also thank you for sharing your homemade trinkets with me over the years.
Hope you get feeling well enough to get on the water soon,
Shane

[up2nogood]

It's a bummer you can't fish any more tubedude, but you are the epitome of a life well lived! I asked a question of you on the forum years ago and you responded almost immediately, not knowing me from Adam. Your shared knowledge has made myself and others better fishermen and fisherwomen without a doubt. You are an excellent example of a selfless person. Thanks for all you've shared and will continue to share.

Same here , have met him  just once ,bought a battery from him years ago . I believe I have asked him some questions on PM's a couple times ,and he answered me almost immediately ,not really knowing me from Adam .