GBTU.org: How long have you been a member of TU?
Ray Walther: I’ve been a member for about 15 years.

GBTU.org: In what capacity have you been involved with TU?
RW: I was on the board of directors for about 12 years. I was the liaison between GBTU and the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers Watershed Council (SuAsCo). I was involved in transferring herring and shad from the Taunton River to the Concord River and several ponds, which piqued my interest in environmental issues. I began attending SuAsCo meetings as well as GBTU meetings. GBTU stimulated my interest in fishing.

GBTU.org: How long have you been fishing?
RW: I started fishing at age 7 or 8 in northwestern Pennsylvania. I fished for suckers in the creeks behind my house.

GBTU.org: What’s your favorite place to fish?
RW: I enjoy fishing the Snake River and the Gros Ventre River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My wife and I have been going there every year for the past 10 years. I also had a great trip in Belize a couple of years ago. I caught lots of bonefish.

GBTU.org: What are some other places you’ve enjoyed fishing?
RW: Locally, I enjoy fishing White Pond, the Nissitissit River, the Squannacook River and the Swift River. I also do some fly fishing for stripers on the South Shore.

GBTU.org: Do you prefer fly fishing or spin fishing?
RW: Without question, I prefer fly fishing. I've done relatively little spin fishing.

GBTU.org: How long have you been fly fishing?
RW: I started fly fishing in 1965. My father-in-law introduced me to the sport.

GBTU.org: Do you tie flies?
RW: Yes, I've been tying flies for a couple of years now.

GBTU.org: What’s your favorite fish to catch?
RW: I've never felt a stronger fish than the wild rainbow trout in the San Juan river.

GBTU.org: What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not fishing?
RW: My whole family enjoyed competitive figure skating, though none of us do it now, and from age 60 to age 75, I did competitive ballroom dancing with my wife. I gave up fishing during that time, but eventually I found that I needed a pastoral sport in my life again. I missed the woods and the moving water.

Ray is a retired cardiologist. He lives in Cambridge with his wife Joan. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.

-- Written by Tony Vinciguerra