Sad Day For Local Walleye Fishermen

[powerdive]

Marty Ford, screen name Martin on this board, passed away this morning at the ripe old age of 62. I don't think anyone could have loved Table Rock Lake (and its mysterious walleyes) any more than he did. Those who traded posts with him will surely remember him as a pleasant, knowledgeable guy with a great sense of humor.

Gonna miss that goof. So long, old friend.

[Phil Lilley]

Never met Martin but traded emails with him over the years. I was wondering the other day if he was finding his morels this spring.

[Walleyedmike]

Amen to that PD. Never had the pleasure of meeting Marty, but had the opportunity of learning a few things form him via internet forums. He will be missed, not only for his knowledge of fishing Table Rock and unlocking the secrets of putting walleye in the boat regularly, he was also a great historian of the area. He posted some pretty cool old pics of the Ozarks from time to time and told many interesting stories about the pictures. God bless Marty, will pray for your family in this difficult time.

WM

[Ron Burgundy]

It's setting in that he will no longer be here to talk walleye with....great friend.

[Sam]

Awwww, man. I was catching goggleyes on the point at the old campground there at the mouth of Cow Creek (Marty's "Moo Slough") just yesterday. I looked across at Marty's dock and thought about going over to see him, but didn't.

We had some good springtime trips in past years. He'd pretend I was "teaching" him about crappie fishing (he knew as much about it as I did), and we'd have a good time, then he'd send me home with a bunch of morels. He was a good guy and I'll sure miss him.

[powerdive]

We both caught our first "on purpose" Table Rock walleyes out of that little Bass Tracker in the photo above. It was a weekday in June, hot and sunny, and--giddy as little kids--we set out on a fine day-long adventure. Traveled by boat from Cow Creek to the Devil's Backbone near Big M, about 34 miles each way. A friend had tipped us off that the eyes were biting there, so we tried trolling cranks along the spine. On just about every pass, we'd either snag a tree or catch a walleye, and we laughed and had a great old time together. We enjoyed many more days on the water after that, learned about braid and leadcore and how to tie crawler harnesses, fished tournaments, picked mushrooms...

There was a lotta life in that guy. He was one of the good ones.

[rps]

As Powerdive knows, I commented on Marty's passing on another board for walleye types. I was going to pass on saying anything here. Others have already said good and true things about him. Then it dawned on me that many of you did not know Marty and I could/should add to the chorus above. I am sorry he is gone, I wish he had gotten his three score and ten, and I hope/pray the best for him and for his family.

[Ham]

I'm saddened to read this. I bought a little motor from Marty and met him in Lampe. We talked a little on line after that. He was by all impressions a good guy. Tough news.

[Mike Worley]

I knew Marty from the MWAA & MSW. I just heard the news about his passing from a client today. This is sad news indeed.

[Falcon]

I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time around Marty in my teenage years. Very kind hearted man and his patience were second to none. Marty would make a stranger feel like he had known them for a lifetime. I got the chance to make it to Marty's memorial today and it was a nice service. I mentioned to the family the kind words you gentlemen had written about Marty, and they wanted me to tell you guys how much that means to them. They said Marty talked often about the friends he had made through the forum.

Marty will be truly missed but not forgotten. See you down the road my friend.