I never met Mr. Asbell, although I did write him a letter (must have been in the late 80s or early 90s) asking about Flemish twist strings. He responded with a nice (typed!) letter and valiantly tried explaining the process verbally, but it didn't work...my attempts always unwound. (After a long break from archery, I did eventually figure it out, probably from a Youtube video, or maybe TBB. Kind of hard to describe in words, even for such a great writer!) I always enjoyed his books and articles over the years, and still use his wool plaid jackets.
I got a lot of words and know how to use most all of 'em, but I cannot explain how to do a flemish twist so that someone understands it. Now gimme some fibers and 30 seconds of your time and you'll know exactly how it's done. But you gotta give him points for trying to help out.
And ain't that what his legacy IS? He certainly stood on the shoulders of the giants like the Thompson Brothers, Howard Hill, Gilman Keasey, Saxton Pope, Fred Bear, and more. But then the man was always reaching down to help others to climb up onto HIS shoulders.
And by all that ever was, is, or ever will be that makes out hearts sing, isn't the view from up here on his shoulders beautiful? Imagine if we conduct ourselves like him and reach our hands out to help others mount atop our shoulders...what kind of view can we help them see?
Tonite I will start a little backyard fire from osage and hickory shavings. I have a broken bow to burn down and I do believe I will pour out a small libation, maybe even get out that new briar pipe I made and have an inaugural burn. Maybe the smoke will carry my thoughts and appreciation to Fred.