Cap'n Jack - Terrible News
Initial message posted by Barry Loupe in the forum to break the news of Jack's passing

Remembering Cap'n Jack
Al Pugh's tribute to Cap'n Jack West

Big Walker to the New River wth Cap'n Jack
Mike "PatapscoMike" Naylor recounts his May float trip with Cap'n Jack

Open Letter from Raymonde to River Smallies.com
"As you all know, Cap’n Jack passed away on May 7th. Jack often gave fishing reports and other articles of interests on your Forum making it that his name became well known to many of you on River Smallies. The support Jack received from you on River Smallies was instrumental in his notoriety as a fishing guide. You not only praised his abilities as a guide and rowing a raft through white waters you also stated his trips were informative, pleasurable, and filled with fishing tips. This way, you were instrumental in increasing his notoriety as a fishing guide.

It is difficult to write for someone else and be true to that person. This is what I am trying to do now because Cap’n Jack is no longer here to speak for himself. He was so fluent with the English language, I find it difficult to live up to his writing skills.

Jack had been a fishing guide on a number of East Tennessee rivers for many years. It was only a few years ago that he included the James River and the New River as part of his fishing packages. He offered one called “Two World Class Smallmouth Rivers Two Days” in 2001. At that time, he guided some of River Smallies’ members who shared their experience of going down the river with him. Cap’n Jack’s then name became better-known to all those who accessed River Smallies Web site either as members or visitors as well.

I know that Cap’n Jack realized the help he received from you. I also know that he would like for me to thank each and everyone of you at River Smallies for your sponsorship, your support, and your encouragement. I would also like to thank each of you who having fished with Cap’n Jack wrote about their trip on River Smallies. You were influential in Jack’s success not only as a fishing guide but also as one who offers an unforgettable experience on a beautiful river.

I am sorry that I will never again have the opportunity to fish with the Ole Cap’n Jack, never again will I be privy to his funny anecdotes, his trivia on fishing, the rivers and its wild life. Knowing that, I am happy to say that he lived his dream of being a successful fishing guide. He achieved this and worked hard till the day before he died. He shall certainly be missed. Al Pugh said it best in his tribute to Jack. -Row easy the Jordan, old friend, I miss you already…"

Raymonde Cox

Tribute to Jack from Frank Cox
(Email reprinted with Frank's permission)
"I'm going to plan me a trip over to Balcony Falls as soon as I feel like I can do it without so many tears in my eyes as to be a hazard. And I mean that. I did that float with Jack several times as did DR, I know. I helped Jack with several guide trips through that section, too. When I do run that section again, I know Jack will be riding with me. In fact, he'll be riding with me and DR when we do it together.

Raymonde and I had a long conversation again today and she told me how much Jack thought of me and how much he loved me. She said he told her several times how lucky he felt to meet me and have me as a friend. I told her I was the lucky one. And I was, and everyone that ever got the chance to spend some time with him.

I'm going to miss my phone ringing at 8:05am at work with Jack calling on his cell phone to let me know again where he is and how the fishing is going. I'm sure going to miss my friend saying "I love 'ya pardner!" Enjoy your good friends while you have them.

Jack was a very good guide. He was very observant of everything going on around him on the water. He never let it show when he was worn out tired. He always gave 110% when he had only 90% to give. He always remained positive on the water.

Jack had just turned 64 last weekend and told Raymonde that it was his best birthday ever. He had everything going great with his life and was living a dream by guiding and having a lady in his life that was totally supportive of him. Jack had a lot of hardships in his life that we discussed on several occasions, but I'm sure glad that the last 3 years were some of the best for him. He was a happy man.

We'll all miss our friend."

Frank

Email from Jim Martin
(reprinted with Jim's permission)
"Hi, I just found your site and learned the sad news. I fished with Capt Jack on April 26, 27, 28, and 29, 2004. It was the trip of a lifetime! He put me on fish and it was there on the James that I caught my first citation smallie - 22in. 5 lb. Capt Jack told me it was the biggest of '04 and that it was about 15 to 18 years old. Both of us were excited!

He told me of Raymonde and his love for her and how much he was looking forward to seeing her on his birthday, May 4. Capt Jack and my wife and I had breakfast together every day we were there and he would tell how he had talked to Raymonde about our day on the river and if the river was rising or falling. I remember he called Raymonde right after I caught my citation and told her of it. He said that was their thing.

I never met any of Capt Jack's people, but the time we spent in the raft I knew them all. He liked to drink my coffee that I always had with me. As a birthday present my wife found a thermos and gave it to him. When we left he hugged my wife in his special way and we said goodbye. My wife and I drove for a long time before we said anything to each other as we both were going away from a new friend, but we would be back. Little did we know. My wife called Capt on Monday and talked to him about his weekend and to again wish him happy birthday. Let us hope that up there somewhere there is a raft that Capt Jack has and he has room for our trip someday. Thanks for the space!"

Jim Martin of Dover, VT