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    Posted: 21 Mar 2026 at 7:26pm
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Moderator - Ninja
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Our good friend Uncle ( Bill MacBrayne, moderator of these forums for many years and maker of legendary sabiki rigs and MacSkippy's) is currently in hospital. I have only physically met Bill twice, today when he was asleep and once after a Ranfurly Banks trip. I've had many conversations with him though and our friendship goes way beyond these fishing forums.

Bill has had some major surgery but is on the road to recovevery and I wish him well. He is very good friends with Kitno and well respected in the fishing industry.

Get well soon Bill! If you know Uncle and wish to know more, send me a private message.
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (2) Likes(2)   Quote Tonto2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2026 at 8:05pm
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Get well soon Uncle.
slowly going where everyone else has already been
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Gatekeeper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2026 at 8:46pm
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Yip he has a long road ahead of him but seems in good spirits considering whats hes gone through. A bloody great guy and good mate.
There is never a better time to go fishing than now, live the day
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote SaltyC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 12:52pm
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Best wishes and get well soon Uncle
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Fish Addict Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 3:02pm
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Ditto, wishing you a speedy recovery Uncle.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Phantom Menace Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 4:55pm
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best wishes for a smooth recovery!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (2) Likes(2)   Quote The Tamure Kid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 6:25pm
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Thanks for letting us know, Smudge.
I have never met Bill, but he was very willing to offer me advice when I was new to the forum and asking lots of questions to try to make up for lost time with softbaiting and kingie fishing. He even sent me some of his famous bait jigs, and some older model Slug-Gos that he recommended for Tauranga kingies in the shallows. I've never forgotten his generosity.

So all the very best, 'Uncle'. Whatever health issues you're having to tackle, I'm sure you are doing it with a bit of humour, and some stoic grit.

Lester
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 6:32pm
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Originally posted by The Tamure Kid The Tamure Kid wrote:

Thanks for letting us know, Smudge.
I have never met Bill, but he was very willing to offer me advice when I was new to the forum and asking lots of questions to try to make up for lost time with softbaiting and kingie fishing. He even sent me some of his famous bait jigs, and some older model Slug-Gos that he recommended for Tauranga kingies in the shallows. I've never forgotten his generosity.

So all the very best, 'Uncle'. Whatever health issues you're having to tackle, I'm sure you are doing it with a bit of humour, and some stoic grit.

Lester

Yepp, he certainly has a sense of humour. He is generous for sure. Kitno must be one of his closest mates. Hope youre doing ok too

Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kitno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 10:35am
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Message from Bill:
Apparently Filipino nurses have lovely soft gentle hands. Something we should all experience lol

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pcj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 12:06pm
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Originally posted by kitno kitno wrote:

Message from Bill:
Apparently Filipino nurses have lovely soft gentle hands. Something we should all experience lol

Glad Uncle is on the mendThumbs Up
"Times up"
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Tzer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 2:41pm
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Originally posted by Pcj Pcj wrote:

Originally posted by kitno kitno wrote:

Message from Bill:
Apparently Filipino nurses have lovely soft gentle hands. Something we should all experience lol

Glad Uncle is on the mendThumbs Up

Had a chat to Bill today and he's appears to be in good spririts and his doctor is happy with his progress. Road to recovery will be long but he's in good hands (Filipino)
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 8:08pm
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Good to hear he’s a great guy
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (3) Likes(3)   Quote strx7 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr 2026 at 11:40am
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He's possibly going to be allowed to escape back home on Monday, he said yesterday - "there is still a few fish out there with his name on"
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr 2026 at 7:05pm
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Originally posted by strx7 strx7 wrote:

He's possibly going to be allowed to escape back home on Monday, he said yesterday - "there is still a few fish out there with his name on"

Thanks for the update strx7. I heard from him today, he seems to be doing well
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote scuzzymoto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2026 at 10:53am
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Great guy builds the best bait rigs  in my view , still have and use his gear,  

All the best Uncle - one of the true gentlemen in the industry
"It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled” Mark Twain
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2026 at 6:16pm
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Originally posted by scuzzymoto scuzzymoto wrote:

Great guy builds the best bait rigs  in my view , still have and use his gear,  

All the best Uncle - one of the true gentlemen in the industry

Yeah he makes some great stuff alright. I only get his messages as I'm in Auckland and I guess they go out to a tribe. He certainly isn't one to grizzle and he certainly appreciates those of you who drop off some fresh fish to him. Good friends to have.
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Tzer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2026 at 5:05am
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Bill is currently at home, he got paroled from hospital I believe his demands were to great for the nurses with sponge baths and the likeLOL He's managed to fend for himself on a couple occiasions by cooking himself some fish and eggs (Georie has seen through his ruse) before heading back to the comfort of his bed. Will look to stop in and see him on way home from boat show next week.
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