What folks who knew him well are saying about the man who knew more about the Beaverhead River and its big fish…how they ate, bred, survived and died…than anyone who ever lived: Tim Mosolf.
“I am heartbroken to say the least! Tim Moslof aka “Hoho” you hold a
special and very dear place in my heart and have for a very long time! A
friend, a teacher, a guide, a father figure and a legend! I have so many
amazing memories that include you and I am so very grateful that we came
to visit you and fish with all of our little squid 2 summers ago! I am
thankful my kids know Hoho! May you be at peace! We will miss you more
than words can tell! Fish whisperer and so much more! @zpartyof5″ Michelle Zavodny
“Broken and empty as I have to say goodbye to my guide-father, mentor, and
teammate for the last 30 years. No one will ever replace you as my
partner in crime, and no team will ever strike the fear of God into these
young guides like we did. Apparently it was your time to put on the old
size 8 beadhead prince nymph one more time, and go to the Henneberry in the sky. Save some Meister Braus for me and we’ll drink them all when I get there. Your guide son, Dan.” Dan Allen
“From day one until forever, I’m blessed to have had you in my life. I’m
unbelievably lucky to get “extra dads” by being in the guide community,
and you were one of the best. Your big bearded appearance paralleled your
easy going, “teddy bear” personality, making you the perfect antithesis
to my dad’s obsessive-compulsive antics and inability to grow facial
hair. You two were a force to be reckoned with, and it will be difficult
for him to hold down the fort without you. You were a legend and the
guide community won’t be the same. Thank you for teaching me all of those
important Spanish words, sharing stories in our Mini parking lot
encounters, and teaching us how to hit balls into the backyard “golf
course”! I know you’re somewhere where the fish are fat, the drinks are
cold, and no one is getting their flies stuck in the trees. Forever
grateful, and with all my love, I will miss you always, Mo!” Jaymee Allen
“Dear Friends and Family of Tim/Mo/Razzmo,
I am Tim’s daughter in law, and I am writing on behalf of Jesse and
Christina, Tim’s children. They would like to thank you for all of your
kind messages about their beloved Dad. For those of you wanting to help,
we will be setting up a memorial fund for Tim and I will post the
details today. We are shocked, sad, tired and forever changed. Thank you
for your support and please be patient with responses to messages as we
still have a lot to do.” Kristina Okonski
“Father, Brother, Son. A master of his craft, a Beaverhead river legend.
Our family is grieving deeply, please be cool.
Frontier Anglers fly shop, Dillion, Mt has established fund for a
memorial for this giant of the Beaverhead community. Visit site.
We had many Abaco Bonefish, San Diego Bay, Barre Navidad Mx, California
Carpin’, Alaska Steelhead adventures and, of course, on the Beaverhead
and Big Hole. 20 yr back, daughters saw him sleeping and thought he was
Ho-Ho- Santa, name stuck. We will miss our “Bro”. Ted Wallace
“In addition to his regular guide clients, many in the fishing community
came to know Tim Mosolf through Castwork, a book that featured
photographs by Liz Steketee of some of the best fly-fishing guides in the Angler and Guide, a mentor to his peers, demonstrating a commitment to
Simms featured Tim on the cover of our 2004 Catalog and in our ad
campaigns. For years, a giant photograph of Tim adorned the walls of our
headquarters in Bozeman and that image always reminded us why we chose
fly fishing as our passion and business.We have lost a friend, colleague and man of immense import to our shared
passion, but we are grateful for the time Tim spent sharing his love for
what we all love. And that has made us all better. K. C. Walsh, Simms Fishing Products”
“Tim Mosolf drew his nymph rig for me on a coaster at Macs for quadruple
rum and whatever 17 yrs ago. He was such a kind and gentle soul. I owe
ALL my success on the Beaverhead to his guidance. As do most others in
this valley. The fish on the upper river will sleep better now. RIP Mr
Mosolf….” Bradley Gene Platt
“Zack Medina with Tim Mosolf…A day that I never could have imagined has come to pass. It has left me
shocked and deeply saddened. Like so many people whose life you have touched, I still remember the
first day I met you. The way your hands always seemed to be held in a
loose grip even when they were empty (as if you were still holding an
oar/net/beer or working on a rig). How your booming laugh was so distinct
that it could never be mistaken for another. From that day forward, we
shared a thousand conversations, laughs and stories about this crazy
world, and life in general. You always had the best advice:”If you go slow you can go some mo. If you go too fast you won’t last”.”Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.”On fishing: “Just throw it in the water.”On guiding: “A monkey could do it.”Buff to Henny will never be the same. I cannot put into words how much
your friendship and kindness have influenced my life. You taught me so
much, whether by intention or by coincidence, and I thank you for that. You are a good man Tim Mosolf, and more than that, you are a timeless
soul. Please know that your light will continue to shine on. Carried by
those of us who were blessed enough to know you. I will never forget you
my friend. Fair winds” Zack Medina.
Sometimes when you look deep into the shadows under the High Bridge, instead of gentle swirls and eddys you see demons or the devil himself or mock-heroes and villains, or worse.
Makes no sense. All the love and respect you feel and now the riffles and pools turn dark…black holes with no bottom, way over the top of your waders.
I did the best I could and I shared it the best I could. And now what?
Aww, fuck it…have another paddle juice.
Learned so much from you, Mo, and hardly any of it was about fishing.
Remembering you with deep respect…Randy B. 
Tim Mosolf 1/25/1947 – 5/30/2017