Bill Albright RIP

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I write of the loss of one of my good friends Bill Albright.  Billy passed away on 11/22/15, his birthday.  For those of you that knew Billy, and were fortunate to fish with him, you know that he was a good man, a class act, and one helluva bass fisherman.  Billy left behind his father, his son and his relatively new bride Marlene (who my wife and I have grown to love).  Billy was a former Bassmasters Top 100 Touring Professional and a full-time bass fishing guide on Lake Wallenpaupack.

I traveled with Billy to many Redman Bass Tournaments over the years from the 1000 Islands down to the Potomac River.  We always caught a lot of fish and BIG fish when we pre-fished our tournaments.  Here's a photo of a nice Largemouth that I caught at the 1000 Islands and the nice Smallie that Billy caught no more than 15 minutes after I caught mine.

I was also fortunate to have fished Lake Wallenpaupack with Billy over the years.  The Pack (as Lake Wallenpaupack is known by the local fishermen) was Billy's home lake as well as mine since my parents had a house on the Lake since 1972 and I've had a house on the Lake for the last 3 years.

As a tribute to Billy, I will be posting more frequently on this Smallie Fishing Blog for years to come.  I'm also going to try to hold/organize the first Bill Albright Memorial Bass Tournament on the Pack in 2016 w/ proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.  I don't know if a Memorial Tournament was ever held at the Pack before.  If not, good reason to start one.  If anyone would like to help me run/organize the tournament in 2016..email me: mullerrj@gmail.com  I'm not sure which is the best time of year: Spring/Summer/Fall.

Until next time, RIP Bill Albright..my friend.  Until we meet again.