Dedication

I would like to take time to say a few words about some very special people.
The first person is my dad, Bill Stapleton, who taught me how to tie jigs at a
young age and always took the time to take us fishing to try out those hand
tied jigs.
     My Dad loved to fish and shared that love of fishing with everyone he
knew. He always had a vehicle full of kids, heading out to any creek, river,
pond, or lake wherever the fish were hitting. My brother Stan, myself, and
many of our friends (Nathan Susong, Paul Roberts, Emmett Dougherty,
Bobby and David Lane) spent many hours fishing with my dad. He was a
good teacher and always took the time to show you “how” to fish. I can still
remember these famous words he would always say to any of us when we
hooked into a nice fish: “Don’t horse him, he’s gonna break off!”
     He always encouraged me to tie the jigs, and some of the best memories I
have are when Dad and I were catching fish on those jigs. My dad passed
away in February of 1993, but I still remember all of the times we spent
together.
    And I sure don’t want to leave out credit to my Mom, Beulah. She was the
one who had to always put up with our crazy fishing hours, red clay mud from
Cherokee lake bottom on everything in her house, wet clothes laying
everywhere, fishing tackle stacked up everywhere, the clean up after our fish
fries, and all the junk I left laying around while tying my jigs. She is a special
lady and I will always appreciate all she has done for me.

To Mom and Dad, thank you!