My Memories of Markoos

Finding a good fishing companion is a rare gift. I define a good companion as one with a sense of adventure, a sense of survival skills, a sense of spontaneity, and a sense of humanity.

Markus Hans Hegewald was all of these things for me. After a long bout with pancreatic cancer, Markoos  finally ended his battle on November 14. Yesterday would have been his 49th birthday.

Even so he has left the earth, his spirit lives on, stronger than ever. He still knows when his birthday is, even from the Other Side. Of all the gifts I could give him on his 49th birthday, I choose to give him the gift of amazing memories. These are most cherished to me because no one can edit them, delete them, or challenge them. The feelings, the laughs, the pictures, the conversations...they belong just to me. And my fine fly-fishing friend Markus. It is how I will remember him and how he will remember me.

Who knows, maybe someone else will appreciate seeing Markus in this setting as well some day in the future.

In the mean time...Happy Birthday my brother!

Soda Butte Creek, Yellowstone, MT

A nice Yellowstone cutt being shown off by Markus.

The Shock and Awe facial expression...attributed to poor diet and poor sleep on these trips.

Markus best GQ Pose  while  night fishing on the Lamar River, Yellowstone.

Gordon, Josh, Markus, Andrew. A nice rainbow from the Upper Provo River.

A proud fisherman showing off his loot!

Gordon, Andrew, Zak, Kevin Hegewald, Mount Superior Night Ski Expedition. Full moon, 5 deg F, 18" fresh powder. Markus took this picture so he's not in it, but he would agree that it is definitely a memory worth saving.