Gary LaFontaine, 56; Noted Fly Fisherman, Popular Publisher

Gary LaFontaine, 56, a renowned fly fisherman whose devotion to the sport made him a popular author, publisher and speaker, died of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, on Jan. 4 in Deer Lodge, Mont.

A native of Hartford, Conn., who graduated from the University of Montana, LaFontaine turned his passion into a business that made him a celebrity in the fly-fishing world.

His five books, including “Challenge of the Trout” and “Trout Flies: Proven Patterns,” are considered classics about the sport. He wrote magazine articles, produced a newsletter-catalog, gave slide-show presentations across the country and appeared in fly-fishing videos.

He also spent untold hours on and under the water observing insect activity and trout behavior, knowledge he used to invent ingeniously effective fly patterns.

But most of all, he fly-fished 150 to 200 days a year until his disease was diagnosed three years ago and eventually rendered him unable to fish.