Everyone experiences highs and lows. I’ve been fortunate for more highs than lows. But some lows were bad. In 2020 I lost my dad. He’d been ill a longtime and was suffering. That eased my pain, but he was still my dad. Probably harder was many years back when I lost my best friend to cancer at age 26. Losing someone close at that age was tough to handle.
Unfortunately, shortly after I posted my blog on Monday I was contacted by my best friend Sammy Vigneri’s dad. Sammy, whom anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows, took his own life Sunday afternoon. Sam was 56.
The news is the most gut-wrenching blow of my life. Sammy is not only my best friend but he’s more of a brother. He’s part of my family and Granny and I have been part of his for a very long time. He saw me through the tough times and I the same back for him. Monday afternoon was a time of shock and disbelief like I’ve never experienced.
Sammy and I started working together at the famous Jack Dennis Fly Shop in Jackson Hole back on May 28, 1987. I was just out of college; Sam had just completed his freshman year of college. We became friends immediately and never looked back.
Sam and I ran together hard those early fly shop years. We camped and fished all over WY, ID, MT, UT and Yellowstone. We hung out at the Cowboy Bar. We goofed off. We played pool. We smoked cigars. We did everything that young troutbums do.
Young Sammy on the Henry’s Fork
Soon began a period where Sam and I hardly fished together. While I remained at the fly shop as a troutbum evolving into a world traveling fishbum, Sammy continued with college for what seemed like forever. Ultimately, after years, he became a gynecologist and began his practice from his home town of Casper, WY.
Being any kind of doctor doesn’t exactly add fishing time, especially when starting out. Furthermore, Sammy delivered babies. He enjoyed it but he was always on call. Between work and starting his own family, we were lucky to get together twice a year.
Sammy sacrificed fishing time. It was worth it to him. He and his wife Stacia raised a family and Sam took great pride caring for his patients. All he ever wanted was for the people he surrounded himself with to be happy.
In 2009 Stacia reached out to me, “Sammy works all the time. I want to get him fishing again. How about you guys go on a trip?”
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I’d just left the fly shop after 23 years. I had time and Sammy could afford almost any fishing adventure. That first trip, I led him to Baja.
On that trip I introduced Sammy to another buddy of mine, Grant Hartman, founder of Baja Anglers. Sam not only made a new pal for life, but he felt the joy catching fish again. Funny, Sammy took the last day off from fishing and looked at property. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves sipping beers at his new condo in Todos Santos!
Sammy developed a passion for Baja and enjoyed the challenges of fly fishing for roosterfish from the beach and marlin from a skiff. Sam and I traveled to Mexico together almost every year. He continued to work too much in between escapades but each time he realized how important these breaks were.
Sam with the Africanus Oman 2019
I’m happy to say that over the last ten years our time on the water together grew. Not only did we continue our Baja adventures, but I hauled Sammy for marlin in the Galapagos, Africanus in Oman and queenfish in Dubai to name a few. Sam went with me on almost all my Seychelles trips and he was scheduled to join me in Gabon this January and back to the Seychelles in March. These upcoming trips will be difficult.
Last November in Baja, Sammy seemed happy. We all have issues but things appeared good. No one could have ever seen this tragic end coming. I’m deeply saddened. I’m selfishly angry. We had so many more great years of adventures to look forward to. Why? How in the hell has this happened!
I felt so sick Monday afternoon after the call with Sam’s dad I jumped on my bike and rode hard for almost an hour. The heartache was agonizing. Afterwards, I considered cancelling my speaking trip to Spokane this week. But not only have these clubs had me booked a while, I knew work was best to occupy my mind. Something to divert me from continuously asking, “Why?”
Our last photo together November 2023
I started writing todays blog yesterday on my flights to Spokane. It was tough to start but turned into a rerun of what a great 37 years of friendship Sam and I had. There were so many good times. Last night the first gig of this mini tour went well. I love getting before a crowd and talking fishing. Its my favorite thing to do other than fishing. Being with happy enthusiastic fellow anglers that had no idea what I was going through was therapeutic. I’m hoping tonight will be the same.
I return home tomorrow. I’m not sure what emotions are next but it will be a back porch night for Granny and I and no doubt we’ll reflect on Sammy. Friday I’m planning to keep my mind occupied. With a little luck, I’ll feel like occupying it with a hardcore day of fishing. And somehow I know Sammy will be there with me.
So sorry for your loss Jeff. Cherish the memories and good times you had.
Sorry for your loss Jeff. I can’t even begin to imagine how you feel. I do find when fishing I often reflect on family and friends who have passed. I think about how the experiences we’ve shared shaped the angler I am today. I take our good memories with me wherever I am fishing. I’m sure you will too.
Best, Greg
Thank you for being willing to share such a painful story. These threads run through all our lives and touch us all, one way or another. You’re not alone, we’re not alone, I wish I had known Sammy to tell him he wasn’t alone.
Jeff,
I am so sorry for the loss of your good friend.
When fishing always remember the great times you all had together.
Tad
My condolences on your loss. Your blog post was a touching memory of your best buddy.
Thank you Jeff for the beautiful tribute to my son Sam! He was loved by his family and his patients. He helped bring many beautiful children into the world. He was a wonderful son, but he worked too hard. I’m grateful he had a chance to relax with you.
Joseph M. Vigneri,MD
Casper,Wyoming
Beautifully written. So sorry for your loss. I know he was truly a one of a kind friend to you for so many years. I am glad you have so many wonderful memories of fishing together from the Henry’s Fork to Baja to the Seychelles…always cherish them. It is true, he will always be with you whenever you fish. ❤️
Beautifully written. So sorry for your loss. I know he was truly a one of a kind friend to you for so many years. I am glad you have so many wonderful memories of fishing together from the Henry’s Fork to Baja to the Seychelles…always cherish them. It is true, he will always be with you whenever you fish.
So sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mark Del Frate
Wow – this is hard. Sammy was such a good person. The couple of times I got to fish with him he was so much fun. Was one of my favorites to fish with and am glad I had one of my epic days with Sam (I talk about him often). I will cherish my pictures with Sam even more.
Many thoughts and prayers for you and Sammy’s friends and family – he was truly one of the good ones.
Very sorry to hear this sad news. I just met Sammy in January of this year when Grant introduced us at the music festival in Todos Santos. He seemed like a really great guy and I wish I could have gotten to know him better.
So sorry jeff, what a guy. He’s going to be missed. Was looking forward to seeing him again this year.
Absolutely Gutted. I don’t know how to process this news after reading it. Agree with Beckles- the pictures and stories brought back memories of a great man – I recall working with Sam at JD Sports in the early 90’s during summer breaks in Jackson. I always enjoyed spending time with him. Sam was fun to be around and had a calm, positive demeanor at all times. One hell of a fisherman! More importantly, a great person.
I am so sorry for your loss; I know how close the 2 of you were. He’d share so many of your fishing stories with us upon his return to Casper. I’ve worked alongside him for 10 years & like you, my heart is just shattered. He was not just a doctor I worked with, but a good friend. He’d send me pictures on many of your adventures & even hooked me up with your guide in Dubai, as we shared a love for fly fishing. He was loved & trusted beyond measure & our unit won’t be the same without him. His memory will be eternal.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend Jeff. My best friend since junior high school took his own life in 2000, and it was a major blow. We had many fishing and backpacking trips together. It makes me cherish my remaining time every day.
Crud, Jeff. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry for Sam’s family, as well. RIP Sammy. All the best to everyone at this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss brother!
Thanks everyone for the kind and caring words for Sammy and his family. As brutal as this is we’ll find a way to get through it. Probably fishing for me. Something Sammy and I did a heck of a lot of together. Somehow I think he’ll be there when I’m out there.
Such a tough loss Jeff. Sam was our doc for all three of our girls. In our appointments, after discussing important matters regarding childbirth, we would switch to the more serious topic of fly fishing. I loved hearing about all the trips you two went on together, he referred me to your blog several times to read about your most recent trip. Take care and I’m sure he’s casting somewhere special right now.