Stomach Still Hurts From Laughing

Hello,
I was glad to find this site for Tom and it is such a great tribute to the great guy he was,
I wanted to add a little bit about Tom as a flyfishing guide. It is hard to put into words the many memories I shared guiding in Alaska with Tom, I first met Tom when we both started guiding at Royal Wolf Lodge. We became good friends right off the bat, he was the best fishing buddy I ever had and I have so many great fishing stories and days dual guiding with Tom that I could go on and on. Tom had such a great sense of humor that everybody loved. We had so many good laughs after a day of guiding that my stomach still hurts from laughing. I will only put in these two pranks that Tom and I did that were pretty funny at the time, we had a young rookie guide that was taking some clients on a long hike the next day to one of the remote rivers we guided. Tom thought it would be funny to put a few big rocks in the bottom of his backpack for the day. So we did and we were waiting for him to return back at the lodge. He arrived looking a little tired and steamed for a 21 year old guy. The next was putting a few beed’s in some unnamed guides waders. It was one of many little harmless pranks that Tom came up with. He was hilarious and his attitude was one of a kind. First off he was one hell of a flyfishing guide. I always strived to not just be a knowledgeable guide but one that people would never forget. I learned that from Tom. He was one of those people that you just always wanted to be around. He was so patient and enjoyed getting other people into big fish more then himself. He was the best teacher/friend anyone could ever ask for. I know there are countless fishermen that have great memories fishing with the best guide I have ever known. I always think of Tom when I wet a line or when I take somebody fishing. He is missed dearly and always will be remembered. My condolences to his wife Julie, daughter Lindsay and family.

Sincerely
Patrick Hamman
www.patrickhamman.com