41 Comments
User's avatar
Matt Kelly's avatar

A folksy delivery and a box of gravel.

What great words.

Grant McOmie was a legend.

Dorris Greenough's avatar

i had a father that breathed fishing.I married a man that added his coaching expertise to fishing

Steve Setera's avatar

Life in the North West, nothing like it !

Philip Beard's avatar

I worked at KATU for 20 years lugging a camera, shooting news and sports. Shoots with Grant were always an education. They were also a joy, wonder and work! Whether drift boating on a snowy Wilson river or tracking bears with scientist with radios, up and down the steep old growth forests of Lane county, it was always worth the effort. Thanks for this loving tribute to Grant and Bill. We don’t know how lucky we have been to have these men share their lives and stories.

Rollin's avatar

Thanks John. I'll upgrade to paid (at least temporarily 😉) for this piece. Grant reminded me of my dad, he passed 9yrs ago yesterday. Been a quiet stretch without him but I hear his counsel frequently in my mind and it often sounded a lot like Grant. Look around you boy, you can't hear a place until you shutup for a minute, it doesn't matter if it's someone else's trash just pick it up, respect a place and you'll find you appreciate it more, etc. Memory lane is a fun stretch thanks for the walk.

John Canzano's avatar

So rich. We are lucky to have these people.

Ben Johnson's avatar

Sounds like my uncle Troy, we used to lounge in his 3 acre backyard with a creek nearby and a small outdoor fire listening to nature and counting the commercial jets as they flew over. We spoke very few words and just listening the creek, hummingbirds, crackling fire, dogs barking and wind whistling through the tall firs.

Ed S.'s avatar

Grant was an outdoor hero to me, although of course we never met. Another good person of high value has moved onward, and far too early. Thanks so much for this tribute, John. And for the Lewis reference as well!

John Hines's avatar

Very good article. Come and Monroe are the best!

Ted Andersen's avatar

Was always entertaining and educating when you were flipping channels and ran into one of Grant's shows Was sad to hear the news. All my best to his wife and family. Thanks for sharing your insight as always

Hank Friedman's avatar

Such a fitting statement about Grant's passing, "We move onward.". Until reading this piece I did not know about him, but it sure sounds like this is what he would like all of his loved ones, friends and fans to do to honor him.

Rand H. Wintermute's avatar

John.

… your book of Short Story autobiographies is needed in this world of Malcontents who are never happy …. ! Grant showed all of us how to be happy with what GOD gave us , opposite of material things !

Be happy, seek nature and Wildlife, and contentment will follow !

Michael Bishop's avatar

My mom could whistle like a bird and knit like a machine. She was grand champion quilter. 5 times lane co with stiff competition. Canzano has all those qualities too in a different world. I never knew either one but I do know. Thank you for your presence and your grace and your grit because without you we’re all much poorer…

Martha Jenkins's avatar

Thank you JC. I feel like I met these two now. I really appreciate you profiling the good guys...with a side of character!

JoeDelaney's avatar

John, if you haven't already crossed paths with Mitchell Forde, keep an eye out for him. He is a thoughtful young outdoor journalist from the midwest who moved to OR a couple years back, and I suspect you two would enjoy knowing each other.

Tom Hughes's avatar

Thanks for everything, Grant. Go Beavs.

Ben Johnson's avatar

As an 8th grade science project and an Ode to the Oregon Trail, I created a 28 day tour across the great Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California). I discovered things I did not know about our region and the many natural beauties that come with our great outdoors. I've completed nearly half of that tour and hope to finish with my yet to become grandkids. I used to watch Grant's fishing show on the Columbia River. GREAT HUMAN!

Martha Guise's avatar

Thanks for this. McOmie (and Monroe), showed us new places to enjoy and explore. They also modeled how outdoorsmen are good stewards of and respectful of the PNW and it's wonders. Grant's segments were a big part of my life in Oregon. He will be missed.

Chuck Seaman's avatar

We don't realize the things and people we take for granted until the day there are gone

Grant was one

Gayle Renne's avatar

By chance, are you Mark’s brother?