Daniel Byford

Daniel (Dan) Byford 1942 - 2011 Son, Brother, Uncle, Friend & World-Wide Fly Fishing Industry Leader Dan was born September 27, 1942 in Bakersfield, California and passed away September 2011 in Chaing Mai, Thailand after spending 20 years in his adopted country, Thailand. Dan graduated from Bakersfield High school and served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. After serving his country, Dan made a career out of his love of fishing. His career in the fly fishing industry is well documented world wide. As the inventor of the streamer fly "The Zonker" and the dry fly "The Divided Hackle", both Dan and his flies caught several world record fish. Dan also owned several tackle shops throughout his career and managed a Sportsman show for several years. Dan moved to Chaing Mai to manage a fly tying factory for several years, then opened his own fly fishing leader factory called "Zonker Tackle" there after he perfected a method to tie "The Bimini Twist" knot and leader combination with world wide sales. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Virginia Byford; brother Joseph Byford and sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Paul Manning. He is survived by his loving brother Thomas Byford and Tommy's family - Ronnie, Staci, Allie and Jessica Akery; sister-in-law Pat Byford; many nieces and nephews including Charloette Byford; Debby and Jim Currie; Jody Byford; Bob and Kim Holliday; Kevin Manning; and Kory Manning. He also leaves behind many great nieces and nephews, as well as many great friends. Tommy and family would like to especially thank Scott Stairs for his incredible friendship and care in Dan's final days. Services were held in Thialand. www.bakersfield.com/obits