Legendary sportsman visits Cashmere Museum
JoAnne Prusa
July 01, 2011
Photo by JoAnne Prusa
Necessity is the mother of invention in Bill McGuire's long and interesting life.
It might have been a small room, but it was a packed house for those who came to hear Bill McGuire talk at the Cashmere Museum on Founders' Day Friday night.
Some of the audience may have come to watch Bill tie his famous 'flies', or some may have come to learn techniques of casting from the inventor of the 'Wonder Rod'. But the 92 year old Rock Island legend in the world of sport fishing and competition casting just sat down and told stories...wonderful stories of how he got introduced to the sports of tennis and fishing, stories of starlets and sports stars, stories of singing contests and camping adventures.
Did you hear about the camping trip where a snake came to snuggle between Bill and his wife in their tent as they were sleeping? After the excitement cooled down Bill gave it some thought and invented the double sleeping bag which could be zipped to keep critters out.
When he kept winning the International Fly Casting competitions, beating his own best by inches each year, he had to invent a new reel so he could win by yards.
Two of his most prized possessions are knives that have never been used. One was the gift of friend Bing Crosby, the other a gift of thanks from a community in Lapland.
The accomplishments of such a varied and amazing life told by an entertaining storyteller made for an enjoyable evening at the Museum.
