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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | From the St. Paul Pioneer Press this morning.
http://www.twincities.com/north/ci_5580218
Four days of searching the Mississippi River have not turned up any clues in the disappearance of an owner of a well-known Fridley fishing tackle store.
But family and friends are holding out hope that Bill Fiebranz, 38, will soon return to his Blaine home, and to work at Thorne Bros. Custom Rod and Tackle.
"We miss him, and we just want him to come home," said Jenny Lewnau, who is Fiebranz's stepdaughter.
"We are asking people to keep his family in their prayers and hope for the best," said Josh Roundsley, co-owner of the shop with Fiebranz. "We're pretty close here. It's like another family."
Fiebranz's wife, Pamela Fiebranz, reported him missing at 3:40 p.m. Thursday, according to police in Blaine. He was last seen at 7 a.m. last Tuesday at the store, which is often cited by Field Stream magazine as one of the top 10 bait-and-tackle shops in the nation.
Pamela Fiebranz told police that calls to his cell phone had gone unanswered, authorities said. It was uncharacteristic of her husband to be gone without telling her because he is paraplegic, she told them.
The family first contacted police after about two days had passed because that's the customary time requirement before authorities will consider an adult to be missing, said Lewnau, who is Pamela Fiebranz's daughter.
Blaine police contacted the General Motors OnStar dispatch center requesting they search for Fiebranz's 2005 Silverado pickup truck using the vehicle's global positioning system.
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At 4:08 p.m. Thursday, Sherburne County sheriff's deputies found the empty truck on Minnesota 24 at Clearwater, Minn., near a boat landing on the Mississippi River. They found what they believe is his wheelchair partially submerged off the ramp.
Area rescue crews searched the Mississippi on Thursday and Friday by sonar and boat and with dive teams. On Monday, the Minnesota State Patrol used a helicopter to search a stretch of the river between Clearwater and Anoka.
It did not appear Fiebranz was fishing or testing equipment at the ramp, said Blaine Police Chief David Johnson, nor was there evidence pointing to suicide.
"Foul play is not suspected," he said. "But we don't know what the circumstances are. It's an open missing-person investigation looking at all aspects of what could have occurred."
He said he was unsure if boat or dive searches would resume because the Mississippi's waters are high and moving fast.
Roundsley said nothing appeared amiss when he last saw Fiebranz on Tuesday morning. It was a hectic week, Roundsley said, as the store prepares for a large fishing show. He and other staff thought Fiebranz had an appointment, he said.
Fiebranz and Josh Roundsley bought Thorne Bros. in 2004. Roundsley described Fiebranz, who had worked there for more than 15 years, as a fixture of the store.
"He is a great friend and business partner," Roundsley said. "He took his job very seriously and was very good at what he did."
Fiebranz was a rod maker and managed the rod shop before buying the store, when he assumed many of the company's financial operations, Roundsley said. He is also, of course, an avid fisherman.
"We all are here," Roundsley said. "You don't buy a tackle shop and not fish."
The store is cited often by fishing enthusiasts in magazines, Internet chat rooms and blogs as a must-visit site if you're in Minnesota. Many of Thorne Bros.' 15 employees are well-known in different areas of the fishing world for their mastery in making specialty jigs or rods, Roundsley said.
In recent days, the store's focus has turned to Fiebranz.
"With the hours we keep, we're very tight," Roundsley said.
Fiebranz is described as white, 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 185 pounds, with brown eyes. He is paraplegic and unable to walk, the result of injuries suffered in a snowmobile accident.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Fiebranz's disappearance to contact the Blaine Police Department at 763-785-6168 or the Anoka County Sheriff's Office at 763-427-1212. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Oh man. That sounds pretty serious. Sounds very strange, I wonder what could have happened. I'll have my fingers crossed and Bill and his family in my prayers, hoping for the best.
curleytail |
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Posts: 2378
| This is terrible. Always enjoy talking to Billy when I go in there.
We had a couple long talks when my mom was first hurt. Talking to somebody that had gone through the same thing as my mom helped me understand a few things.
Hoping for the best. Bill and his family are in my thoughts
Edited by BALDY 4/3/2007 10:25 AM
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | It's alittle late, but i keep waiting for someone to say April fools... My prayers and thoughts go out to Billy and his family. |
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Posts: 199
Location: Nebraska | Prayers to the family that everything will come out all right. |
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Posts: 1080
| Wow. Not good news. I don't know Bill at all. Never met him in person. May have spoken to him on the phone though and not known it when calling to order things to be shipped to me. Regardless....my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family...hopefully everything works out and he's found alive. |
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Posts: 556
| Wow very bad new i think i have talked to him before but not sure hoping for the best. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Talk about a terrible way to start off the day.
I've had many talks with him and really enjoyed picking his brain about custom rods. To be sure he'll be in my prayers. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Iowa | My prayers are with the him and his family...
Big Perc |
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Posts: 327
| Terrible to hear , he will be in our thoughts and prayers !!! |
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Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | Hopefully thru the grace of God Bill is found safe and returned to his family.
I've been fortunate to spend a lot of time talking to Bill about custom rods. He's always been extremely patient with my questions, and his knowlege and passion for what he does is evident. All my muskie rods are made by Bill and Thorne's. He has even rebuilt for me, free of charge, a custom Diamondback that I broke (most likely thru my own carelessness). Had it back to me within a week during the middle of the season.
God bless Bill and please bring him home safely. |
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| Hopefully he is OK, and makes it home safe and sound |
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Posts: 311
| My familys prayers are with him and his family..............God, bring him home safe............ |
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| What a sad story, my prayers go out for Billy and his family and the guys at Thornes, he was a stand up guy, and always took care of his customers.
Troyz |
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Posts: 9
| I have met Bill at the Minn. Muskie Expo what a great guy. My prayers go out to Bill and his family for his safe return.
Doug Kloet |
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Posts: 1243
Location: Musky Tackle Online, MN | A very unfortunate incident. Prayers go out to Bill, his family, and the entire staff at Thorne during this difficult time.
Aaron
Edited by AWH 4/3/2007 6:20 PM
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| crushing news....hoping for the best |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | The best thing to do is Pray and Pray hard.
I've talked to Billy quite a few times at Thornes, and can say that he is a really great guy.
Hopefully things will turn out for the best.
Are there any updates ?
God Bless you Billy.
Jerome |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | to all of the people at Thorne's, the family and all of you who are close to this i'm saddened. i'm from over here in n. wisco but always try to stop at the store when i'm in the cities on business and it's a great group of people ... i wish you all the best as you go through this terrible time ... |
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Posts: 28
Location: Sarell, MN | I will keep him in my Prayer's tonight, I hope that he is OK.
Sean Knudson
Edited by MNMuskies 4/3/2007 7:14 PM
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | My thoughts and prayers go out to to Bill and his family
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Posts: 221
Location: ohio | i hope all turn's out ok ..... |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Wow this story gave me chills. Let's send all our positive thoughts his way and pray for his safe return home. |
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Posts: 4266
| I'll keep him in my prayers tonight.
Hope you don't mind, but I usually try to remember to pray for everyone on this board every night, because we all know what it is like to truly appreciate the beauty of what God has given to all of us. At times like this, we all turn to God in our own way. I'm sure that He's listening.
Beaver |
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Posts: 20218
Location: oswego, il | Very sad story, he has a great tackle shop, been there a few times. Hoping and praying for the best of outcomes. |
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Posts: 284
Location: Fishing the weeds | Crushing News. I've talked with Bill on several occasions on my treks home to Minnesota. We here are all praying for his safe return. Pat |
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | Bill and his family are in my thoughts. hope he is found safe. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Hope he is just on a good fishing hole and will come back when the bite is over. Prayers sent. |
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| Thoughts and prayers for his family. that story actually made me sick to my stomach. man....... |
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Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1098917.html
His truck was found at a Mississippi landing and his wheelchair was found partly in the river. This is really sad to think of what could have happened. What a shock......... |
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Posts: 785
| My thoughts and prayers are with his family and I hope somehow this may end up with his safe return. |
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Posts: 72
| I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and wishes. It really does mean a lot. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.
It really is a small world and is amazing how fast information travels these days. One thing I need to address is that our Custom Rod Shop is still firing on all cylinders. Bill's the contact person that just about everyone got to deal with when it came to having a custom rod built. Lonnie Murphy has been building our custom rods for 16 years (long before Bill started here) and will continue to do so. In addition to heading up the Rod Shop, he will now be the main contact person if you are looking to have a rod built. We're not going away, we're just going through a very difficult time.
Thanks again,
Brett Erickson
www.thornebros.com |
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Posts: 221
Location: ohio | Brett,
please let us know as soon as you find out anything.Dont give up hope,
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| Just wondering if there is any search partys or groups planning to look for Billy... With high water and cold weather it could be tough, but if someone could post a phone # or e mail adddress maybe some thing could be arranged.. Thoughts and prayers for Bill and family.... Old Goat |
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Posts: 432
Location: mpls | I just got home from a business trip and saw this post for the first time.
I have talked to Bill on many occassions and he is a really great guy. I don't have much in the way of services to offer, but if there is anything that I can do to help out- count me in!
Joe
Trueglide.com |
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Posts: 117
| Wow...this is horrible and ver strange news... My prayers go out to him and his family  |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Mark Courts (Ranger/Evinrude Walleye Pro, and a hell of a nice guy) spoke with some friends up there yesterday after we talked about this at the In Fish Lund/Berkley PWT Mark was fishing in South Dakota. According to his conversations there was a crew going back out searching today, but the river is very high and difficult as a result. |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | Bill, his family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karl |
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| Count me in for any search party arrangements,,Im guessing we could mobilize alot of people from the TC chapter to help |
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Posts: 561
Location: Monee, Illinois | Any Update on this Situation? |
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Posts: 52
| http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1098917.html |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | That much we already knew, but thanks for the link, sir. |
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Posts: 52
| All I could find so it looks bad. Hope for the best. |
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| Any more news....? |
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Posts: 147
Location: Leech Lake, Walker, MN. | Nothing new, I worked at the store today. Search of the area in the river has had negative results. The river is high and running pretty good. Our prayers still go out to Bill and his family.
Thanks, Murph |
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Posts: 221
Location: ohio | Anyone heard anything ? |
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Posts: 193
Location: Mayer, MN | http://wcco.com/local/local_story_123095026.html
I see this has come to an end. Closure for the family. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sad to hear, my condolences to his family and MANY friends. |
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Posts: 2378
| Sad deal, but at least the family knows a little more now.
Billy will be missed
My condolences to his family and the whole TB crew
Edited by BALDY 5/3/2007 10:55 AM
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Posts: 66
| Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences for all of Bill's family and friends.
The Radloff Family |
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| I am truly saddened any time the muskie world loses one of their own! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | That is sad news. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
curleytail |
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| My thoughts and prayers gou out to his family. I know he is in a better place right now, and hope his family can find some sort of closure to their grieving.
Carpe Diem boys and girls. We are all just a blink away from a life changing experience every day. This board has taught us that, and it hasn't been because one of us has won the lottery.
Give your all to your family and friends, and let the people that you love know it, because everybody seems to take life for granted.
Make sure you do your best to make yours a good one.
God's blessing to his family and to all of you MFers.
Beaver |
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Posts: 72
| We found out late last night. Thankfully there is closure for the family--for both Bill's family at home and his Thorne Bros family. Not the outcome we were hoping for, but at least there is an end to the 'not knowing'. I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and kind words and keep them going for him, his wife Pam and the rest of his family. I would also like to thank his brother Bob and their friends Joe Carlson, Matt Thompson and the rest who searched for him and put him to rest.
Brett Erickson
www.thornebros.com |
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Posts: 8780
| My condolences go out to all family and friends.... Beav said it all. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Man what a heartbreaking event. My sincere condolences to all who knew him. Live each day to the fullest my friends. |
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Posts: 56
| This event has been weighing heavy on everyones hearts. It is easy to take for granted what each of us have. Stop today for a second,and remember all that is important to you. And remember, people may go but are never forgotten.
We wish the best for Bill's family, friends, and the Thornes crew.
Lee and Sasha |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Iowa | My deepest condolences go out to the family...my thought and prayers are with them in this time of great tragedy...
Big Perc |
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Posts: 3147
| Brett please list any Funeral arrangements when you know alot of us in the TC area would like to attend.
Bills generousity did alot to help the local anglers and fishery |
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Thorne Bros. Owner Missing