Skip was usually trying to bring some humor to heated message board dicussions. He would even post under a psuedo name in an attempt to be a mediator, but his style of "online speaking" always gave him away. During a Roundtable discussion of cold water tactics, things got pretty heated and some off-hand references were made to rats. Skip tried to lighten things up by saying, "Well, I can tell one thing, you guys sure do not like rats!". If Skip became directly involved in a serious disagreement with someone on the board, he would always send me a note to apologize. I always told him an apology was not necessary, but I think he felt better by doing so.

In another discussion, Skip jokingly called some of us "turkeys" for not replying to his question. I shot back that here we had a Rat calling us turkeys...which would I rather be? He replied that he resembled a rat so he didn't mind being called one. That kind of friendly exchange was not uncommon with Skip. You can read the last discussion he posted to where he told of his outing with Yakfish. The situation could have turned out badly for both of them, but thankfully it did not, and in typical Rat fashion, the discussion took on a humorous tone.

Skip tried several times to email us a photo for the gallery, but for some reason it never worked. His wife has graciously sent us one for use in the permanent tribute we will have for Skip here on the site. I did not have the opportunity to meet him in person, something I would have looked forward to very much. Those who have can attest to the fact that he was every ounce the generous man his emails and posts made him out to be.

I am proposing that the upcoming Susky rodeo be renamed "The Galen 'Skip' Walters, Sr. Memorial Rodeo" in honor of River Rat. I think he would've liked that. I know he would want the rodeo to go on as planned. He intended to be there and meet many of you. It's a small way to honor his memory....doing what he loved to do....smallmouth fishing! What better place to honor him than at streamside?

If there is something to be learned from this tragic incident, it is this - SAFETY! I am not going to preach, but please take this as a warning and always wear a life vest when fishing or boating. We'll never know why Skip wasn't wearing his, but in the cold conditions he was in, it was even more prudent that he wear it. This subject has been discussed many times in the forum. If it doesn't hit home as a result of this tragedy, it probably never will.

In Skip's board profile, he had this as his personal quote:
"Smallmouths: one pound fish, one ton attitude!"

I believe I can speak on behalf of the entire staff when I say Skip will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to his family! Perhaps he is looking down right now from a better place wanting us to move forward. It is a sad day for the RS family, but the best we can do is remember Rat fondly....I'm sure he would like that!

"Death is more universal than life; everyone dies, but not everyone lives." - A. Sachs
Galen "Skip" Walters, Sr. lived!