On Feb. 12, Maine lost a champion of its natural resources. George Smith was a spokesman for the people of Maine, and he was never afraid to speak his mind on sensitive matters. The fact that he lived for four years with a debilitating disease never slowed George up and he continued to speak his mind through his books and newspaper columns.

George and I shared several forays to Quebec’s Leaf River to fish for trout. During one of our visits there, he told with me that the Leaf River was one of his most favorite places anywhere. When George and Harry Vanderweide were producing their television shows, I spent many hours in the studio and in the woods shooting countless hours of television with them.

Fortunately for me, George was a patient host and kept me from fouling up the shoot for that day. After many years of procrastination, I am finally writing a book with George’s very generous encouragement and his willingness to critique my writing.

Whether you agreed with him or not, George’s position was always about what was best for Maine and her resources. RIP, George, you will be sadly missed.

Carroll M. Ware

Skowhegan