Durango man Jon Abshagen, 45, died last week during a fly-fishing expedition on the Kispiox River in British Columbia after the raft he was riding hit debris and sent him overboard.
Conor Feeney, Abshagen’s friend of 29 years, said Abshagen died doing what he loved: fly-fishing with his father, Beatle Abshagen. The father and son had a tradition of going fly-fishing every October.
MJ Carroll, friend of the Abshagen family, organized a GoFundMe to support the family through its time of grief. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraiser had received $66,955 of its $75,000 target.
Carroll said there has been “an outrageous outpouring of love” for Lindsay Abshagen, Jon’s wife, and their children. She said the GoFundMe’s success is a demonstration of their deep roots in the Durango community and a reflection of the community’s love.
Feeney said Jon and his father Beatle taught him how to fish, and fly-fishing was at the core of their friendship. Every October, the father and son traveled to catch the steelhead trout run as the trout, having grown up in the ocean, return to freshwater.
Feeney, who was acting as a spokesman on behalf of the Abshagen family, said Beatle had injured his shoulder earlier in the trip and wasn’t present when the fly-fishing incident occurred.
He said what was relayed to him is the Kispiox River was running high as a result of recent rains. Jon was in a raft with a river guide and a friend from Seattle when the raft hit a strainer – a term for any kind of object that allows water to pass through but captures larger objects, including persons. The impact sent Jon and his friend into the water.
“The guide went down and was able to save Ken (the friend), and when they got back up to Jon, they couldn't get him off the strainer,” he said.
Jon drowned before he could be rescued.
“Jon had so many friends in this community and he was so passionate about being born and raised in Durango, going out to see the world, but then having the opportunity to come back to Durango and raise his family,” he said.
Feeney said Jon, born and raised in Durango, was a passionate outdoor enthusiast, being into biking, skiing and music. His 46th birthday would have been Dec. 18.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday where Feeney said he will speak to how his longtime friend embodies the spirit of Durango. He left a legacy after working for the Southern Ute Growth Fund for about 24 years, but also for his friendship to the Durango community.
Jon is survived by his wife Lindsay; children Alyson and Will; parents Sharon and Beatle Abshagen; in-laws, Kathryn and David Eppich; Meghan and Walt Peeples and nieces Madeline and Milly of South Korea; Mike Brouwer, uncle, and aunts Laurie Hedger and Lisa Haydel, according to his obituary.
The celebration of life is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at 1383 Junction Creek Road (County Road 204). A bike escort from the La Plata County Fairgrounds to the celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m., followed by a performance by StillHouse Junkies at 2:30 p.m., the obituary said.
cburney@durangoherald.com
