Springforelle - Fine Fly Fishing Tools

Mel Krieger

Born on 28th of August 1928,
passed away on 7th of October 2008

Now he is gone forever. He, who not only taught so many the essence of fly casting, but exemplified it through its own life. With his matchless ability to enthuse others for fly casting and with his catching cheerfulness he demonstrated to everybody, that this passion is fun and easy to learn: „Stop – stop – and the line goes out.“

Hardly having arrived back home after the exhausting tour in Europe Mel told me, we definitely have to repeat it next year. It was fascinating to work with him. Despite his high age he was bubbling over with energy and esprit. Airs and graces were unknown to him, on the contrary, he could rejoice in the casting abilities of others.

Mel wrote in his book: “You will know something of me after reading this book. I hope that on some fine trout stream our paths will cross, and I will get to know you.” I am deeply grateful, that he gave many of us the opportunity to get to know him even more.

One of his many pieces of wisdom was: “While fly casting you will always keep learning until the day you can’t walk to the river any longer.” Some weeks after his eightieth birthday on October the 7th Mel Krieger passed away in San Francisco. His wife Fanny wrote: “He has had a wonderful life, doing all that he enjoyed, teaching, seeking adventures, sharing so much with all who loved him, family and a large circle of friends. He did it his way.”

Peer Doering-Arjes
Springforelle © 2008

Portrait Mel Krieger
A lesson with Mel