missmolly: "Tears. I never met Jim, but I sure enjoyed cyber-jousting with him over the years. I wish he had enjoyed more years in retirement. Lots more. Sigh."

Bushpilot: "

missmolly: "Tears. I never met Jim, but I sure enjoyed cyber-jousting with him over the years. I wish he had enjoyed more years in retirement. Lots more. Sigh."

Today Jim doesn't have to worry about catching any disgusting bass or dealing with any mimes!"

lundojam: "That is sad. Damn."

boonie: "Very sad news. To work hard all those years and then die shortly after retiring . . . "

Bushpilot: "

missmolly: "Tears. I never met Jim, but I sure enjoyed cyber-jousting with him over the years. I wish he had enjoyed more years in retirement. Lots more. Sigh."

Today Jim doesn't have to worry about catching any disgusting bass or dealing with any mimes!"

Pinetree: "

Bushpilot: "

missmolly: "Tears. I never met Jim, but I sure enjoyed cyber-jousting with him over the years. I wish he had enjoyed more years in retirement. Lots more. Sigh."

Today Jim doesn't have to worry about catching any disgusting bass or dealing with any mimes!"

Nice post.
Yes, like many I enjoyed kidding him about smallmouth bass because he always came back with a funny response that made my day so much better.
He always was willing to help people on this forum. Part of this forum died with him and it will never be quite the same.
He belonged in my opinion to the select group of Who's who of respected people on this web who added so much in many ways.
God bless you TGO."

3Ball: "Like so many others, I thought he was a great guy.


When I first bought my cabin in Ely, I needed to get bait and then meet someone. I got bait at his store and asked for directions to the meeting spot. It was his closing time. He just said follow me, and drove out of his way to make it easy for me.


We have lost a perspective. Jim was able to deliver the Ely native, pre-wilderness rules perspective that I think we need to continue to consider and understand, even if we may disagree. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind but typically was able to avoid unnecessarily offending others when offering his perspective. I will miss that participation and input.


RIP Jim."

Pinetree: "

Bushpilot:
Today Jim doesn't have to worry about catching any disgusting bass or dealing with any mimes!"

Nice post.
Yes, like many I enjoyed kidding him about smallmouth bass because he always came back with a funny response that made my day so much better.
He always was willing to help people on this forum. Part of this forum died with him and it will never be quite the same.
He belonged in my opinion to the select group of Who's who of respected people on this web who added so much in many ways.
God bless you TGO."

Bogwalker: "RIP Jim. ... I'll bury some crankbaits in your honor. "

BearBurrito: "I am saddened to hear this news. I will be praying for friends and family"

LindenTree: "I always appreciated his perspectives and passion, so sad. Prayers for Jim, his family and friends."

stevenjames: "TGO is my father. It makes me smile/cry reading all of these posts about your conversations with him at his bait shop or on this forum."

stevenjames: "TGO is my father. It makes me smile/cry reading all of these posts about your conversations with him at his bait shop or on this forum. I can’t count the number of times he would giggle waiting for someone to respond to one of his posts here whether it was about politics or fishing. He had some health issues over the last year or two and wasn’t able to fish. He was finally able to make it out fishing a few times this year so that was great to see!

He was getting ready to go out on the lake when he passed away by his dock. I don’t think that he could’ve chosen a better spot for it to happen.

I would like to thank all of you for your kind words about my dad and for entertaining him with the conversations over the years. He did not want a funeral, but we will have a gathering in the near future. I hope to meet some of you there. Thank you again"

3Ball: "
We have lost a perspective. Jim was able to deliver the Ely native, pre-wilderness rules perspective that I think we need to continue to consider and understand, even if we may disagree. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind but typically was able to avoid unnecessarily offending others when offering his perspective. I will miss that participation and input.


RIP Jim."

stevenjames: " I can’t count the number of times he would giggle waiting for someone to respond to one of his posts here whether it was about politics or fishing. "

fsupp: "I only met him twice, when my brother-in-law and I picked up bait prior to separate winter camping trips a year apart. He essentially told us both times that if we didn't have Muck Boots we were surely going to die. (We didn't and were fine.) A true character. RIP."

Bogwalker: " If you did not know Jim this tribute from one of his neighbors and friends will help you understand why those who knew him cherished the friendship.

Tribute to Jim Maki "

missmolly: "

Bogwalker: " If you did not know Jim this tribute from one of his neighbors and friends will help you understand why those who knew him cherished the friendship.

Tribute to Jim Maki "

This line put a smile on my face that's still there: "Jim’s final afternoon in the great outdoors was spent fishing Burntside in perfect July weather.""

TomT: "Yes, better than deteriorating in a hospital or nursing home."

ozarkpaddler: "

BearBurrito: "I am saddened to hear this news. I will be praying for friends and family"

Me too, still shocked that another huge personality has been snatched away from the board. RIP TGO"