#310 - Devin's Hammer

#310 Devin's Hammer - Darren MacEachern

Tied by: Darren MacEachern
Originated by: Darren MacEachern

Hook: Gaelic Supreme Mike Martinek Rangeley Streamer hook #1 10xl
Thread: White flat waxed nylon
Tag: Gold flat tinsel
Body: Tan floss
Ribbing: Gold flat tinsel edged with gold oval tinsel
Belly: White bucktail
Throat: Claret hackle fibers
Wing: 2 claret hackles flanked by medium dun hackle
Shoulder: Black hen back
Eye: Jungle cock nail
Head: Black

Notes: On November 4th, 2002, a young man named Devin passed away. He died after being punched once as he walked away from an altercation. The strike had been to Devin's temple area, and he suffered a severe brain injury. On November 5th, after tests revealed that Devin had no brain function, the family made the tough decision to donate his organs.

Darren was diagnosed with a liver condition called Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) at the age of 14. The illness was slowly scaring his liver and eventually his health would deteriorate and he would need a new liver. He managed fairly well for years, but in 2000, it became clear that a transplant would be needed soon. He moved to Edmonton with his wife Lori, his name was placed on the list, and the long wait began. On November 5th, 2002, the call they had been waiting for was received.

The transplant was a great success, and Darren recovered quickly with no complications. As a way to keep active, Darren began tying flies shortly after the transplant. There is no way of knowing if Darren received his gift from Devin, but Darren tied the streamer to honor the memory of Devin and the difficult decision his family made.

For more information on Devin's story, you can visit http://www.devinfoundation.com, and please take the time to sign your donor card and make your wishes known to your family.