Copyright 2023 © GretchenGriffith.com
Out of the streams of North Carolina come the individual life stories of a group of men who have set themselves
apart by choice, The Fly Fishermen of Caldwell County. For generations they roamed the local creeks and
rivers, and then adventured beyond, forever searching for the elusive next catch. Like scientists, they studied the
trout they sought. As sportsmen, they combined knowledge and passion to create flies and rods that
accomplished their goals. As environmentalists they joined forces to protect the waters they fished. Compiled by
Ron Beane and Gretchen Griffith, this book is written by the fishermen themselves or by their families.
Cover photo of Newland Saunders
taken by Bill Everhardt
Meet the co-author, Ron Beane:
North Carolina native, Ron Beane, is a former teacher, coach and
school administrator. During his tenure as a Caldwell County (NC)
Commissioner, a local stream, Wilson Creek, was designated as a
Wild and Scenic River. Serving on the National Public Lands
Steering Committee and the State of North Carolina’s Clean Water
Management Trust Fund Committee gave him a greater
appreciation for protecting natural resources and passing on that
passion to our younger generation “to pick up the mantle and
carry on.” Through his love of fly fishing, he was fortunate to have
met and fished alongside several extraordinary men with equally
extraordinary life stories that he felt needed to be preserved. He
and his wife live in North Carolina. They have two children and
four grandchildren.
Fly Fishermen of Caldwell County:
North Carolina Life Stories
Featuring chapters about
these fly fishermen in
Caldwell County, North
Carolina:
Newland Saunders
“Cap” Wiese
Charlie Bean
Joe McDade
Henry Wilson
John Turner
Cecil Harman
Stanley Tuttle
Monty Tuttle
Bill Barlow
Monte Seehorn
Jay Reese
Ken Beard
James Henson
Wayne Storie
Kyle Garrou
Tony Woods
Doug Suddreth
Mark Miller
Kevin Story
Don McNeill
Gene Swanson
Brian Suddreth
Bill Everhardt
Jim Childers
Randy Benfield
Alen Baker
Ron Beane
The real authors of the book
A few sample photos:
Cap Wiese
Charlie Bean
Bill Barlow
John Turner
North Carolina Society of Historians
October 2015
Judges’ Collective Comments
Fly Fishermen of Caldwell County
The title of this book confused our panel until we read the Statement of Support and then one
member stated…”I love Fly fishing, I’ll read it first!” A day later it was being passed on to the next
member. Why? It had already been read, judged, savored and enjoyed. The panel member made
nothing but positive statements about the content, layout and design, historical value to both
current and future generations.
All panel members enjoyed this book, and learning about the fishermen, their families, their
‘craft/hobby,’ the areas they fished, and the types of fish caught. Fish have sustained many families
throughout the ages, as well as animals and birds…different modes of catching them were utilized,
a few are discussed here…from equipment to fishing styles. Where our ancestors may have used
the good old branch fishing pole and some string, we were able to learn the names of ‘modern’
rods and reels, fishing line, bait and ‘flies.’ More than that, though, we were able to learn about the
people. There is an old, old joke that states, “What is a fisherman?” Answer: “A jerk at one end of
the line waiting for a jerk at the other!” This book erases that joke completely from the books.
These were fine men with families. Men who were admired by many, missed if they passed away.
Men who left something behind after they passed to be remembered by.
How?
The book visits with twenty-eight fishermen. Each fisherman’s title page contains his photograph
(in action), and a list of his ‘favorites’: fishing rod & reel, flies, angling waters, the largest fish he
ever caught and where, and a list of his fishing partners. Each story is then dotted with some great
black and white, vintage and current photographs. The narrative is really interesting and often
entertaining, and one forgets that this is an unusual history lesson at its best. Future generations
will use this book as a source of information, not only about fly fishing, but about the twenty-eight
fishermen, the areas they frequented, and the fish they caught.
We thoroughly enjoyed this book and foresee its historic worth in so many ways. What is done now
will be tomorrow’s history…if current events are written so as to make it easier to identify us as a
people living in the 1900’s and 2000’s, it will give our descendants a better overall view as to who
we were and what we were about. This is a book that will do just that!