Good day,

To those that have been hanging around here as long as I have or longer, I say hello!
I have a leather can holder made by Mitch that was made in honor of Amok.
Curious if anyone that knew one or both, as most of us did back in the day, might want this.
Mitch did great work. I have a few other personalized items he made that are holding up very well for the use they get.
If any interest, please let me know. If more than one is interested, I’ll put names in a hat and draw a name.
I’ll check back in a couple days to see if there is any interest.
Have a great day!

Doesn't he have a wife/significant other. Maybe she would want it?

I am linking the comment section to a trip report I did honoring Mitch a few years back. CarolynS

CarolynS is the person LindenTree is referring to. I've met her at some wingnight events. She was extremely interested in the leather work Mitch had done for me (and others) and I'm sure would be about your items. You should find her email there.

Pretty nice offer, Fitgers. Someone who was close to Amok and/or Mitch should have that.

Mitch made me a can coozie with Jackfish on it that I use every so often and I smile every time. Both guys were great people and great members of this board.

Jackfish, very much agree with you.
I hope all is well. Maybe see you on the water.

TuscaroraBorealis: "I am linking the comment section to a trip report I did honoring Mitch a few years back. CarolynS


CarolynS is the person LindenTree is referring to. I've met her at some wingnight events. She was extremely interested in the leather work Mitch had done for me (and others) and I'm sure would be about your items. You should find her email there."

CarolynS was talking about Mitch at this year’s wing night.

I sent CarolynS an email.

Someday: "I sent CarolynS an email."

Oh my, what a wonderful surprise! Thank you so much for letting me know! Yes, I’d love to have it. I didn’t meet Amok but heard of him. I want you all to know that the members of BWCA.com were his favorite people. Mitch was a popular guy with many friends, but none meant more to him than you. I don’t have anything that he made with the BWCA.com logo on it so that would be terrific to have. But, if Amok had a significant other that wants it, I am happy to let them have it. Or if there is other strong interest, please let me know. You may remember that he had that logo tattooed on his arm. He was quite a guy! And his leatherwork lives on.

fitgers1: "Good day,

To those that have been hanging around here as long as I have or longer, I say hello!
I have a leather can holder made by Mitch that was made in honor of Amok.
Curious if anyone that knew one or both, as most of us did back in the day, might want this.
Mitch did great work. I have a few other personalized items he made that are holding up very well for the use they get.
If any interest, please let me know. If more than one is interested, I’ll put names in a hat and draw a name.
I’ll check back in a couple days to see if there is any interest.
Have a great day! "

Thank you fitgers1! I’d love to have this unless Amok has a significant other that wants it. BWCA.com meant so much to Mitch!

I treasure Mitch’s gift to me. Bought three more for my Dad and Brothers.

Hello Carolyn,

I definitely feel this should go to you. I’m glad I made the post and this is working out as it is going to right person.
I really enjoy is leatherwork. I’ve got another coozie and a couple rifle slings he made for me. An excellent craftsman.
Please e-mail me your contact info and I will get it in the mail soon.
E-mail me at: fitgers1@yahoo.com

fitgers1: "Hello Carolyn,
This is very exciting, thank you! You are very thoughtful to offer this. I will email you shortly. I’ll treasure having the BWCA.com logo handcrafted by Mitch. I greatly enjoy seeing his creations in person and in pictures. They’re all pieces of art & every one is unique. I can still hear his hammer tapping the tools from his leather workshop. He did it every day. Since your name is fitgers1, I’d be glad to give you an old Fitger’s bottle opener if you’re interested. It says Drink Fitger’s Nordlager Brewed in Duluth, Minn.
Thanks again!

I definitely feel this should go to you. I’m glad I made the post and this is working out as it is going to right person.
I really enjoy is leatherwork. I’ve got another coozie and a couple rifle slings he made for me. An excellent craftsman.
Please e-mail me your contact info and I will get it in the mail soon.
E-mail me at: fitgers1@yahoo.com"

timatkn: "I treasure Mitch’s gift to me. Bought 3 more for my Dad and Brothers.
Thanks for posting these! I always enjoy seeing Mitch’s leatherwork! I love that big paw print!


"

I have a bunch if his stuff.
He couldn't give me enough after I sold him my Blackhawk Zephyr.
He wanted that canoe so bad. I got it really cheap from a guy who unfortunately was very sick and wanted to see it used. And I took it on a few great trips and years. When I went to sell it, Im a believer that it should be passed along as it was sold to me. The "deal" he got was too good to be true. It was no deal, it was payed forward because I was doing different kind of trips and wasnt using it like it should have been used.
And it made another person just as happy as it made me when I got it.
It's not always about money. It was my pleasure to pass that canoe along. Mitch was a solid guy.

In my view, that sad event cemented this into a larger public community.
I agree that Carolyn should get that commemorative work.

A great guy and great leatherwork-I cherish mine.

I received the beautiful koozie from Fitgers1 today & am thrilled to have it. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated! I thought you might enjoy this picture Mitch took of a koozie in his backyard in 2014.
I apologize for my tech clumsiness. I’m pretty low-tech, and as Mitch called me, a cheap date! He really brought the fun.

inspector13: "In my view, that sad event cemented this into a larger public community.

I agree that Carolyn should get that commemorative work."

His death also cemented some of his childhood friends into an even closer group which now keeps in greater contact & checks in with each other more often. A couple of them even check in on me.

CarolynS: " "

You may have to zoom in to see the BWCA.com koozie in front of the fire.

The Lorax: "I have a bunch if his stuff.
He couldn't give me enough after I sold him my Blackhawk Zephyr.
He wanted that canoe so bad. I got it really cheap from a guy who unfortunately was very sick and wanted to see it used. And I took it on a few great trips and years. When I went to sell it, Im a believer that it should be passed along as it was sold to me. The "deal" he got was too good to be true. It was no deal, it was payed forward because I was doing different kind of trips and wasnt using it like it should have been used.
And it made another person just as happy as it made me when I got it.
It's not always about money. It was my pleasure to pass that canoe along. Mitch was a solid guy."

Ah, so you’re the one he got that canoe from! I remember how excited he was. He drove across Wisconsin if I remember correctly, selling dice cups at bars along the way. He had that canoe less than a year and took one solo trip with it, on Taylor Lake in Aitkin Co. It’s a remote feeling lake with a canoe-in campsite. That was Sept 2019.


Here he is trying it out on Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood.

CarolynS: "

The Lorax: "I have a bunch if his stuff. He couldn't give me enough after I sold him my Blackhawk Zephyr.
He wanted that canoe so bad. I got it really cheap from a guy who unfortunately was very sick and wanted to see it used. And I took it on a few great trips and years. When I went to sell it, Im a believer that it should be passed along as it was sold to me. The "deal" he got was too good to be true. It was no deal, it was payed forward because I was doing different kind of trips and wasnt using it like it should have been used.

And it made another person just as happy as it made me when I got it.
It's not always about money. It was my pleasure to pass that canoe along. Mitch was a solid guy."

Ah, so you’re the one he got that canoe from! I remember how excited he was. He drove across Wisconsin if I remember correctly, selling dice cups at bars along the way. He had that canoe less than a year and took one solo trip with it, on Taylor Lake in Aitkin Co. It’s a remote feeling lake with a canoe-in campsite. That was Sept 2019.

"
Here he is trying it out on Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood.

Yes.
And all I told him was...."Use it. And use it well."
I have been gifted a few things before the same way. It's kind of a code among the mountain folk from where I am from.
It wasn't about putting a few bucks in anyone's pocket. It was about enriching the lives of people who could appreciate it. Mitch was the third. And I know he appreciated it.
And I was glad to let him have his turn with it. A hell of a canoe, and a hell of a man to paddle it.
I can only now hope that it found a fourth that would appreciate it.
Great boat, but didn't fit me as much as I wanted. I took it on a few trips, but it didn't quite fit what I was doing at the time.
So you live, you learn, you pay it forward. The whole outdoor thing morphs also. Trips change, lengths of trips change with phases of life, equipment changes.
It's why you do what you can to help others achieve their dreams.

Don't ruin it for me. My outdoor lifestyle and the people I have met doing it seem to be the last bit of decent humanity I can find anywhere. LOL

Lorax, that’s a beautiful message. I couldn’t agree more & I think that’s why Mitch loved this group. Mitch was never about the money. I’m happy to tell you that his sons are the proud owners of both his canoes, and they accompanied their dad on several BWCA trips. He had firm plans for a 4 man trip to Quetico in June after he died, with his time off work already approved. When a 6 ft roll of leather he ordered was delivered outside my door a week after he died, it was further proof that he changed all his plans rather suddenly. Take care!

CarolynS: "Lorax, that’s a beautiful message. I couldn’t agree more & I think that’s why Mitch loved this group. Mitch was never about the money. I’m happy to tell you that his sons are the proud owners of both his canoes, and they accompanied their dad on several BWCA trips. He had firm plans for a 4 man trip to Quetico in June after he died, with his time off work already approved. When a 6 ft roll of leather he ordered was delivered outside my door a week after he died, it was further proof that he changed all his plans rather suddenly. Take care!"

This makes me very happy.
I hope those boys enjoy that canoe as much as I know their Dad did.
Then, it will all be worth it. All the stars will have aligned.
Regards always,
Lorax

CarolynS: "I received the beautiful koozie from Fitgers1 today & am thrilled to have it. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated! I thought you might enjoy this picture Mitch took of a koozie in his backyard in 2014.
I apologize for my tech clumsiness. I’m pretty low-tech, and as Mitch called me, a cheap date! He really brought the fun."

Great picture!
I’m glad you have it now.

When he made me a “pony” size koozie to fit a 7 oz bottle of beer I knew it was love.
I’ve enjoyed seeing the pictures posted here & always get a kick out of seeing his handmade, functional & beautiful creations. On our many road trips, when I was driving Mitch would be stitching leather in the passenger seat. If anyone else would like to post pictures here or to me directly, I’d love to see them. Stay warm, & peace.

Mitch made me this koozie, and he also made me a hatchet cover. What a talented guy.

Mitch made a sweet beer bottle holder for me. Here it is.

walllee: "Mitch made me this koozie, and he also made me a hatchet cover. What a talented guy… "

What a great bottle koozie! They sure do stand the test of time too. He was talented. A leather artist. What fun to see this! I love the big paw print. Thanks Wallee!

Savage Voyageur: "Mitch made a sweet beer bottle holder for me. Here it is. "

That is so cool to see! I really get a kick out of it. Every one is a little different. A personalized one like this is truly one of a kind. His work is a great legacy & I love it that pieces exist far & wide! Thanks for sharing!

Scottie’s Log Bar in Royalton has a nice trio of dice cups!

CarolynS: "Scottie’s Log Bar in Royalton has a nice trio of dice cups! "

Won one of Mitch's dice cups at my very first wing night weekend 15 years or so ago at Baker Park. One of my prized possessions.

Tony

Tony: "
Won one of Mitch's dice cups at my very first wing night weekend 15 years or so ago at Baker Park. One of my prized possessions

Tony"

That’s a great picture! What a nice start to your wing night tradition! Your hat is cute too, you’ve got a whole moose theme going there. I enjoy seeing this!

Thank you Tony!