Roger Stephens, RIP

[Wadin' Boot]

Some of you may have noticed Roger Stephens hasn't been posting as much, I had reached out a few weeks back, he was doing ok, looking forward to maybe getting out more in the next year.

His wife Diane messaged today:

This is Roger's wife, Diane. I have no idea how to post anything on this site, but I wanted people to know that Roger passed away yesterday morning due to complications from recent hip surgery. He was a long time member of this site and enjoyed interacting with everyone. He was one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet and will be missed beyond belief. I'm in total shock, as he was doing really well. It appears it was caused by aneurysm.

Roger had offered me (and my son Jack) time on his boat, even when his health wasn't doing well, which I regret never having taking him up on. We could have fished together and yet never did. All of his posts on topwater sliders, his popper modifications, his reports where things were often "heating up in Puget Sound", his joy in sharing his many fish days on the Salt forum, his calm and kind sharing of what he learned about his local waters, his encouragement for all of us to explore- I'm going to miss that. He was a legend on the old board, a legend on this one as well.

RIP Roger.

 

[DimeBrite]

Thanks for sharing the sad news. I will miss Roger's fly fishing posts and cutthroat tales.

 

[Dloy]

Jeeze, I’m so sorry to hear that. I always enjoyed his inciteful posts. I never met him but always felt he’d be a good guy to know.
Oddly, I ran into this post looking for discussion on John Gierach’s recent passing. Two greats gone within days.

 

[Bruce Baker]

I met Roger at a PNWFF gathering. Super nice dude. So sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

 

[Creatch’r]

That’s terrible news. Rest in Peace Roger, your family is in my thoughts. I’ll have to tie some top water sandlance in your honor.

 

[Jake Dogfish]

God bless his family. Sorry to hear, I enjoyed his posts.

 

[Gyrfalcon22]

Roger surely seemed to a be saltwater cutthroat master, and an understated one.
He came across as a patient and integratal part of the inland waters, as much a part of the scene as the birds, the fish and the salty breeze.

Best wishes to his family and friends.

 

[Paige]

Dang, RIP Rodger, prayers to family and friends.

 

[Brian Miller]

Yes, prayers for Roger's family and friends.

I attended one of his Puget Sound SRC lectures in Eburg. He was very knowledgable and also gracious in staying around afterwards to answer my newb questions.

 

[SeaRunner]

Very sad news. I always enjoyed his reports and posts.

 

[Salmo_g]

Wow! This hits close. I'd recently been thinking about Roger because he hasn't posted in a while. His contributions to the south sound fishing culture will be missed. Sympathy to his family and RIP Roger.

 

[Scott Salzer]

Very sorry for your loss. I always looked forward to his posts.

Thought and prayers from me to you and the family.

 

[Ron McNeal]

Roger was one of the very best things about this little world of Pacific NW Fly Fishing. His posts were gems—all of them. Wow, huge loss....

 

[Merle]

RIP to a legend. I never met Roger but appreciated his posts, reports and patterns. His tremendous positive influence on the PS saltwater flyfishing community will be his continued legacy

 

[Leland Miyawaki]

Sorry to hear this. Roger and I fished a few times down in his home waters. We traded notes on our respective topwater flies through the years and we did a joint seminar at Orvis Bellevue. He was a real hoot and will be missed.

Leland

 

[Kenneth Yong]

Very sad news.

Deepest condolences to his loved ones.

RIP, Roger.

Kenneth

 

[Dave Westburg]

A Roger Stephens story. In April 2022 I was impressed by Roger's salt water posts and asked Roger if I could buy him lunch and learn more about his approach. He graciously agreed and we sat for two hours over a bowl of chowder while Roger showed me his salt water fly patterns and talked about how to use them...





He was humble, generous and every bit an expert. RIP Roger. You will be missed.

 

[Peyton00]

I wish I had taken him up on his many offers of a free trip in the South sound.

...... don't pass up opportunities.

Life is short.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. I met him years ago at a fly club meeting. A true master of salt water fly fishing. Our thoughts and prayers from my family to yours.

 

[Griswald]

SO sorry to hear this, he was a fantastic flyfisherman and a humble expert. My condolences to the family.