IN FEBRUARY 2006, Jerry Hayes, then owner of the Bella Union Restaurant on California Street, caught one of the largest steelhead in recent memory on the North Umpqua, River. The fish was 43” long, 23.5” in girth and weighed 29.5 lbs. River guide Donny Grieves says it is the largest steelhead ever caught in his boat.

Maurie Hicks, who was a close friend of Jerry’s and was an art teacher as well as a decoy and fish carver, immediately offered to carve a replica of the fish.

Maurie got off to a good start, but when his beloved wife, Ginny, was diagnosed with lung cancer, work ground to a halt. Anyone who was close to Maurie over the past few years and visited his shop was familiar with “the fish,” a large and seemingly, never-changing presence. Sadly, Maurie was himself diagnosed with cancer last year and passed away last June before he could finish the project.

Prior to his passing, Maurie asked his close friend and carving companion, Brad Snodgrass, who lived nearby, to finish the fish carving for him. Brad, of course, agreed and the fish was presented to Jerry at the Bella Union before a large group of friends and family this past February—almost 19 years to the day it was caught. This amazing collaborative work of art is now displayed near the entrance of the restaurant where it can be viewed and enjoyed by all.

This is certainly not your average fish story as 19 years is a long time, but some things are worth the wait.