Uncle
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Briny Bar
Forum Description: The place for general chat on saltwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=140107
Printed Date: 27 May 2026 at 10:10am
Topic: Uncle
Posted By: smudge
Subject: Uncle
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2026 at 7:26pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: Tonto2
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2026 at 8:05pm
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Get well soon Uncle. ------------- slowly going where everyone else has already been |
Posted By: Gatekeeper
Date 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 |
Posted By: SaltyC
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 12:52pm
| Best wishes and get well soon Uncle |
Posted By: Fish Addict
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 3:02pm
| Ditto, wishing you a speedy recovery Uncle. |
Posted By: Phantom Menace
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 4:55pm
| best wishes for a smooth recovery! |
Posted By: The Tamure Kid
Date 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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Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2026 at 6:32pm
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 |
The Tamure Kid wrote:Posted By: kitno
Date 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 |
Posted By: Pcj
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 12:06pm
 ------------- "Times up" |
Posted By: Tzer
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 2:41pm
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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Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2026 at 8:08pm
| Good to hear he’s a great guy |
Posted By: strx7
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2026 at 11:40am
| 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" |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2026 at 7:05pm
Thanks for the update strx7. I heard from him today, he seems to be doing well ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: scuzzymoto
Date 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 |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 05 May 2026 at 6:16pm
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 |
Posted By: Tzer
Date Posted: 06 May 2026 at 5:05am
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 like 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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