An Outdoorsman's Journal

  This One’s for Jim

Hello friends,

   This week's column will be a bit different than normal. In early January a true leader of Kids and Mentors Outdoors, a husband, father and friend to hundreds, maybe thousands of people, James Rydmark had a heart emergency that on January 17th would result in Jim passing away. Jim was a dear friend of mine and a person that checked on me a hundred times since Michelle's passing in June of 2022.

   Wednesday, January 21st
   High 23, low 2

   Jim’s Celebration of Life was going to be two days after this trip began so I stayed close to home and did a winter camping trip on the backwaters of the Wisconsin river where I would hike in with my golden retriever Red, set up a camp and try my luck at walleye and northern pike. My destination would require 2 trips pulling an Otter Sled with about 100 pounds of gear for each journey which at times was over some pretty rough terrain and to be perfectly honest would test my mind, body and heart.
   Three days after Jim went down but was put into a coma, I headed to Mississippi to hunt and camp with my brother Tom Walters. I was never right on that trip. At the time everyone was hoping that Jim was going to come out of it but there were signs that he may not. I had very sketchy phone service in Mississippi and would send positive messages to Jim's wife Sherry, daughter Hailee and son Holden. I never asked a question but I just hoped, prayed and relayed positive thoughts.
   On today's trip it was cold and the next day’s low was forecast to be minus 21. I had the gear and the knowledge to do just fine as I have for the last 36 years with this way of life that pays my bills but as had been the case for the 18 days my mind was not in a good place.
   Jim Rydmark was KAMO’s, State Treasurer and the President of The Meadow Valley Chapter of KAMO which is based out of New Lisbon. In a time when volunteers are few and far between Jim was fun, smart, extremely positive and had a work ethic that never stopped. We talked, texted and emailed frequently and though KAMO has its problems, Jim always had a "we can fix this” attitude as President of KAMO I cannot tell you how important that is to have people like Jim.
   Today, and I was surprised about this I did not have any action with walleye or northern pike but I kept up my positive attitude and had high hopes for the evening and next day’s action.
   The following day another long term friend, Jeff Neitzel of Hustler joined me and Jeff was able to take part in the journey into the backwaters that Red and I were calling home. Jeff is also in KAMO and does a lot of volunteering himself. Jeff and I met when I was in the Air National Guard from ‘81 to ‘87 and we had a lot of fun to say the least.
   Today, Jeff bought in his Live Scope as he is an avid panfish, ice fishermen. I had never looked at one of these devices as I am a caveman. Jeff set up near a downfall and was very driven on catching a fish and landed a beautiful brook trout that was maybe 14-inches.
   On January 16th I received the call that Jim was in hospice and I could visit him. I was in Mauston at the time and despite the fact that I was wearing work clothes and knee boots I drove to Madison to say goodbye to my dear friend.
   Jim's lifelong best friend, Tom StClair was with Jim and had been since the beginning when he flew from Arizona to be with the neighbor kid who would end up being a part of his deer camp and millions of shared experiences. Tom who is also in KAMO and one hell of a great man told me endless stories about their youth and the entire time, though Jim was asleep, we spoke like the 3 of us were having a beer together.
   Tom left at about 6.00 that night and I stayed with Jim and thanked him several times for being such a great friend and truly understanding, or should I say checking up on me as late as two weeks before he went down with his own life ending experience.
   One way to describe Jim and his incredible family, they requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to KAMO. Another way would be his celebration of life where I am confident that there was at least 400 people, maybe more.
   My trip on the Wisconsin river was traditional for a guy that pays his bills the way that I do.
   The loss of Jim Rydmark has simply kicked me down and will for quite some time.

   The world lost a great man on January 17th.

   Sunset