As I write this column I am reminded of the saying, “All good things come to an end.” I am saddened, and grateful, to say Flies and Lies is coming to an end. It saddens me to know that I will no longer be writing for you. It gladdens my heart to know that I have been able to write 234 columns in nearly 20 years. 

Having made a full-time move to Tennessee, to be closer to three-fifths of the Wild Bunch, it is time for SWMBO and I to “move on.” 

With this last column I want to say thank you to the owners and editors of The Durango Herald and The Southern Ute Drum. Without the owners signing my paychecks and the support of numerous editors, I would not have been able to write this column for all these years. The editors, for the most part, never made large corrections, nor changed the content of what I had written in Flies and Lies. If they had questions, and there were some, they did me the courtesy of calling for clarification of my intent or asked why I had worded a sentence in such a way. In my opinion, this attitude was a positive way to do business and a great encouragement. Even when I climbed on my short soap box, to pontificate, my thoughts and words almost always passed their scrutiny. To those men and women, I say, “Thank You.” 

Lastly, and most importantly, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who read Flies and Lies for all these years. Your encouragement and positive thoughts via texts, emails, phone calls, and word-of-mouth meant the world to me. And, when someone disagreed with something I said, usually through a “letter to the editor,” it was done in a respectful manner, proving, once again, that people who fly fish can disagree, but still be friends. Maybe the people holding elected office in this “me first” politicized country should pay attention to, and take a lesson from, those that fly fish. Writing Flies and Lies has truly been one of the most fun and rewarding ventures I have ever taken on. I will always remember my years with you. I just cannot say THANK YOU enough. 

Now, I will once again, for the last time, leave you with my annual politically incorrect statement. I wish everyone Felize Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, a good Eid al-Adha, and of course, Merry Christmas. If none of these fits your beliefs, then may whatever touches your heart with hope be with you all of 2026. 

Thank you and farewell.