Derek Johnston RIP

  • Bob Carlson
    Mille Lacs Lake (eastside), Mn.
    Posts: 2936
    February 11, 2015 at 3:34 pm #1510247

    I received word today that Derek passed away from a heart attact. He was at one time a very active member on this site.

    I fished a number of times with Derek over the years and he was a very good fisherman…He will be missed by many

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    jeff_huberty
    Inactive
    Posts: 4941
    February 11, 2015 at 3:46 pm #1510254

    That is sad news R.I.P Dereck

    Dutchboy
    Central Mn.
    Posts: 16650
    February 11, 2015 at 3:48 pm #1510256

    I remember the name.

    RIP Derek.

    icefanatic11
    Nelsonville, WI
    Posts: 576
    February 11, 2015 at 3:49 pm #1510258

    Sad news, RIP Derek. I remember when I joined this site a few years ago, it was still the old site then but I joined the hardcore ice anglers group on here, of which he was the founder. Was always very happy and willing to help a young sprout like me when I had questions or wanted to bounce ideas off of him. Never met the man but he seemed like a very fine person, I will be praying for his family today.

    Randy Wieland
    Lebanon. WI
    Posts: 13467
    February 11, 2015 at 3:54 pm #1510259

    Sad news. I haven’t seen Derek on here for a long time, greater than a year or so. I know he moved back here (MN) from New Orleans a couple years ago. Miss his straight to the point comments.
    RIP Derek

    Steve Root
    South St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 5621
    February 11, 2015 at 4:02 pm #1510262

    Sad, sad news. RIP Derek

    Joel Ballweg
    Sauk City, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3295
    February 11, 2015 at 4:18 pm #1510269

    Sorry to hear that.
    RIP Derek.

    francisco4
    Holmen, WI
    Posts: 3607
    February 11, 2015 at 4:43 pm #1510284

    RIP Derek. Thanks for the heads up Bob. Never met him in person, but I did do business with him.

    FDR

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    February 11, 2015 at 4:46 pm #1510285

    Thanks for letting us know Bob. Fished the Big D with him one year. Didnt do to well in the Big D but we sure slayed some panfish on Knife lake on the way up there. RIP Derek.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22432
    February 11, 2015 at 4:48 pm #1510286

    Sad to hear this news…. prayers to his family.

    emover
    Malcom, IA
    Posts: 1939
    February 11, 2015 at 4:57 pm #1510293

    So sad to hear. Derek was one of the good guys. RIP

    dave

    Timmy
    Posts: 1235
    February 11, 2015 at 8:18 pm #1510355

    Thanks for posting. Sad news. He was not very old, if I recall correctly. RIP, Derek.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    February 11, 2015 at 8:24 pm #1510360

    The guy had fishing in his big heart.

    Looking forward to meeting you someday Derek.

    mbenson
    Minocqua, WI
    Posts: 1705
    February 11, 2015 at 9:21 pm #1510373

    OMG!!! Remember him as a fisherman (he put some great tips on here) before his ventures to N.O. Remember him when he came back from cheffing in the “Big Easy”. He put some great cooking tips on here when he came back as well as more of his fishing advice… RIP Derek!!!

    Mark

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    February 12, 2015 at 7:45 am #1510459

    Rest in peace Derek…

    chomps
    Sioux City IA
    Posts: 3974
    February 12, 2015 at 8:00 am #1510467

    A great stick, a great cook, and a great person, sorry to hear the news, Prayers to the family

    Calvin Svihel
    Moderator
    Northwest Metro, MN
    Posts: 3862
    February 12, 2015 at 8:40 am #1510486

    Sad. I had fished with Derik several times and I would pick him up and travel to the St. Paul Ice show. This is when I was just getting into the business side of the fishing industry, he gave me some tips as I was a young kid… as he called me. Derik loved to teach people about fishing. He loved Mille Lacs lake and the guy could cook! He will be missed!

    Hunting4Walleyes
    MN
    Posts: 1552
    February 12, 2015 at 8:59 am #1510509

    I fished with Derek a few times and he was the type of guy that would help you out. He had the knack for teaching you new things and looking at a situation from a different angle. He will definitely be missed.

    RIP Derek

    Jon Jordan
    Keymaster
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 6013
    February 12, 2015 at 5:52 pm #1510809

    Sad news. I fished with Derek a few times too. I’ll echo that he was a good stick, loved Mille Lacs and was always looking to share info or talk fishing. Was always looking for him to return to IDO. Im sure that was on his to do list. His life or priorities pulled him away a few years back.

    Even being an ex Mille Lacs launch pilot with a ton of days logged on the water, Derek was humble. Not a Mr know it all. He was always looking to learn. Especially wanted to learn the river like he knew Milly.

    One last note. If it were not for Derek, I would not have been introduced to my dog you see in my profile pic. Thanks for making that connection. That day has changed my life forever.

    Rest in peace, Derek. You were a good guy!

    -J.

    Chris Meisch
    Ramsey, MN 55303
    Posts: 720
    February 12, 2015 at 6:06 pm #1510815

    Rest in Peace. Thougths and prayers.

    craig daugherty
    Posts: 1
    February 13, 2015 at 11:12 am #1511125

    I had the privilege to know Derek from the days of him working at Vados Bait in Slp in the 90’s, to going to those Thorne Bros seminars, the old Zercom days. He lived and breathed fishing, the guy could flat out school you on Mille lacs, or one of those Aitkin County lakes he loved to fish. I had the honor to fish many times with him, MTT, RCL FLW Tournaments, & the Wave Wacker. He taught me what it took to go from an average angler, to a very good fisherman. Derek could break out a map of a lake, break it down, and in a couple of hours, we would be on fish, good fish! I’m going to miss those days of the Spring Ritual of heading to Knife Lake for the Bull Gils, or waiting for “The Opener” on the Pond. He always told me, “it doesn’t matter what kind of boat you have, flasher you use….it’s about making relationship that develop into friendships.” I will miss that. RIP Derek.

    Anonymous
    Inactive
    Holmen, WI
    Posts: 0
    February 13, 2015 at 11:19 am #1511132

    Very sad news!!! I remember Derek from the old site. He was a great guy. RIP Derek

    cougareye
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 4145
    February 13, 2015 at 11:25 am #1511136

    RIP Derek. I too remember him from the old site.

    Eric

    Tom Sawvell
    Inactive
    Posts: 9559
    February 13, 2015 at 11:28 am #1511138

    RIP Derek. I always enjoyed his posts. Lots of insight.

    sand-burr
    Grasston, MN
    Posts: 440
    February 14, 2015 at 10:55 am #1511551

    RIP Derek, He was also a McGregor fishing guy and conversed with him about the local lakes many times.

    Kurt Turner
    Kasson, MN
    Posts: 582
    February 14, 2015 at 11:25 am #1511558

    His passion was palpable thru his on-line sharing. Sucks we lost another great person who loved angling.

    RIP Derek

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