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- Joel Kalman Passes On
Joel Kalman Passes On
- By Randall Bryett
- Published 09/10/2008
- People and Interviews
- Unrated
Randall Bryett
Randall Bryett grew up on the Sunshine Coast of Australia with some the worlds best fishing around every corner. He has worked in many aspects of the fishing industry including chasing the Giant Black Marlin at the prestigious Lizard Island. He is a avid fly fisherman who likes to find his own path. When not traveling he resides in Northern California with his wife Kate and their adopted cats.
It is with sadness and deep regret but I am sending you an email to let you
know that Joel Kalman passed away on Monday. Please take a moment to say a
prayer for Joel and wish him Godspeed. I think we all fished with him or
broke bread at one time or another. Thanks to Joel Kalman, many people
learned about a very precious resource and a special place- Biscayne bay,
its fishery and the unbelievable fishing within minutes of downtown Miami.
My prayers are with him and his family at this sad time. His life should be
celebrated as he is a part of Biscayne Bay history and as such will never be
forgotten.
Joel was a first and foremost a great fisherman and fishing captain. Some
people are good anglers, some lucky anglers but a rare few people in this
world have the special gift to "think like a fish" - Joel had this rare
ability. Individuals who were fortunate enough to fish with him were
touched by his special ability.
He was an unbelievable bonefish and permit guide but his fishing skill
extended as far as New Zealand where, in the middle of a tropical storm, he
landed a world record 29lb New Zealand red snapper on fly rod (8lb tippet).
The funny story was that we were fishing in New Zealand with a well known NZ
billfish captain who was mightily unimpressed by the American wussy salt
water fly anglers catching "little fish". The NZ billfish captain also
didn't like another captain on his boat and Capt. Joel didn't like another
captain running the ship. The sportfishing boat that day just wasn't large
enough for two captains. By the later afternoon the storm has rolled in and
the two captains were barely at a polite stand off. Just as the day was
ending Joel Kalman hooked and landed the 29lb NZ red snapper on 8lb fly
tippet. The captain on the boat truly thought that nothing any saltwater
fly angler could do would impress him- I can tell you that this deeply
impressed the NZ billfish captain. He flew off the bridge and shook Joel's
hand and hugged him- he was as excited (and maybe a little more so) than if
Joel Kalman had caught a 700lb billfish. This was truly an unbelievable
catch. (To see a picture of the fish go to Joel's web site at
http://www.flatssport.com/Wrecords.htm )
Joel guided many people to their first or their largest permit or bonefish
on fly or light tackle. He knew virtually every corner of Biscayne Bay. He
was involved in the redfish "restocking" program in Biscayne Bay and
supported good fisheries management of the bay.
I have lots of Joel Kalman stories but particularly remember a day and night
with Joel Kalman and Tim Borski - they left early in the morning to fish
Biscayne Bay. Dinner rolled around and no word... By 8 or 9pm I was
worried.. Did the flats boat break down? Are they lost? Shipwrecked? Do I
call the coast guard? I was worried... But they finally showed up very late
at night laughing and laughing.. Not sure what they did that day or if they
caught fish but that was the hardest and longest that I ever saw Joel laugh.
The best NEW YEAR I've ever celebrated was on an island in Biscayne Bay -
camping with Joel Kalman and many other good friends including many members
of the Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club... I remember telling Joel Kalman that
I wanted to do something I'd never done before. I don't know how we dreamed
it up but we decided we would organize a NEW YEAR clebration camping trip on
this island...On the island one could see the last sunset of the old year
and the first sunrise of new year and every single firework celebration from
Miami beach to homestead. It was a great New Year's eve and New Years Day
on the island. ON January 1, Joel lead all the flats boats on a joint
fishing adventure in Biscayne Bay. That particular New Year celebration
started a personal tradition - I try to find something unique to do to
celebrate the new year... But nothing has yet to top that particular NEW
YEAR's celebration.
Joel was honest person and above all else and he was not a fair weather
friend. He was a loyal and caring friend despite a rough exterior. He was
strong and passionate and cared deeply.
Joel loved his animals (cats, dogs and birds) and hand raised parrots.
His favorite "off the water" hobby was cooking and he particularly loved to
bake complicated deserts. I don't know why but the more difficult the
recipe, the more fun he had.
I feel fortunate to have spent many hours with Joel fishing in Biscayne Bay
and off the water as well. I regret not being able to say a final goodbye
to Joel in person.
My wish is that his passing was as quick and pain free as possible and while
we mourn the loss of his presence in our lives, he is at peace enjoying
excellent fishing. www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries
My prayers are with Joel and his family at this sad time.
Julia
know that Joel Kalman passed away on Monday. Please take a moment to say a
prayer for Joel and wish him Godspeed. I think we all fished with him or
broke bread at one time or another. Thanks to Joel Kalman, many people
learned about a very precious resource and a special place- Biscayne bay,
its fishery and the unbelievable fishing within minutes of downtown Miami.
My prayers are with him and his family at this sad time. His life should be
celebrated as he is a part of Biscayne Bay history and as such will never be
forgotten.
Joel was a first and foremost a great fisherman and fishing captain. Some
people are good anglers, some lucky anglers but a rare few people in this
world have the special gift to "think like a fish" - Joel had this rare
ability. Individuals who were fortunate enough to fish with him were
touched by his special ability.
He was an unbelievable bonefish and permit guide but his fishing skill
extended as far as New Zealand where, in the middle of a tropical storm, he
landed a world record 29lb New Zealand red snapper on fly rod (8lb tippet).
The funny story was that we were fishing in New Zealand with a well known NZ
billfish captain who was mightily unimpressed by the American wussy salt
water fly anglers catching "little fish". The NZ billfish captain also
didn't like another captain on his boat and Capt. Joel didn't like another
captain running the ship. The sportfishing boat that day just wasn't large
enough for two captains. By the later afternoon the storm has rolled in and
the two captains were barely at a polite stand off. Just as the day was
ending Joel Kalman hooked and landed the 29lb NZ red snapper on 8lb fly
tippet. The captain on the boat truly thought that nothing any saltwater
fly angler could do would impress him- I can tell you that this deeply
impressed the NZ billfish captain. He flew off the bridge and shook Joel's
hand and hugged him- he was as excited (and maybe a little more so) than if
Joel Kalman had caught a 700lb billfish. This was truly an unbelievable
catch. (To see a picture of the fish go to Joel's web site at
http://www.flatssport.com/Wrecords.htm )
Joel guided many people to their first or their largest permit or bonefish
on fly or light tackle. He knew virtually every corner of Biscayne Bay. He
was involved in the redfish "restocking" program in Biscayne Bay and
supported good fisheries management of the bay.
I have lots of Joel Kalman stories but particularly remember a day and night
with Joel Kalman and Tim Borski - they left early in the morning to fish
Biscayne Bay. Dinner rolled around and no word... By 8 or 9pm I was
worried.. Did the flats boat break down? Are they lost? Shipwrecked? Do I
call the coast guard? I was worried... But they finally showed up very late
at night laughing and laughing.. Not sure what they did that day or if they
caught fish but that was the hardest and longest that I ever saw Joel laugh.
The best NEW YEAR I've ever celebrated was on an island in Biscayne Bay -
camping with Joel Kalman and many other good friends including many members
of the Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club... I remember telling Joel Kalman that
I wanted to do something I'd never done before. I don't know how we dreamed
it up but we decided we would organize a NEW YEAR clebration camping trip on
this island...On the island one could see the last sunset of the old year
and the first sunrise of new year and every single firework celebration from
Miami beach to homestead. It was a great New Year's eve and New Years Day
on the island. ON January 1, Joel lead all the flats boats on a joint
fishing adventure in Biscayne Bay. That particular New Year celebration
started a personal tradition - I try to find something unique to do to
celebrate the new year... But nothing has yet to top that particular NEW
YEAR's celebration.
Joel was honest person and above all else and he was not a fair weather
friend. He was a loyal and caring friend despite a rough exterior. He was
strong and passionate and cared deeply.
Joel loved his animals (cats, dogs and birds) and hand raised parrots.
His favorite "off the water" hobby was cooking and he particularly loved to
bake complicated deserts. I don't know why but the more difficult the
recipe, the more fun he had.
I feel fortunate to have spent many hours with Joel fishing in Biscayne Bay
and off the water as well. I regret not being able to say a final goodbye
to Joel in person.
My wish is that his passing was as quick and pain free as possible and while
we mourn the loss of his presence in our lives, he is at peace enjoying
excellent fishing. www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries
My prayers are with Joel and his family at this sad time.
Julia