Rivers of a Lost Coast

Bill Schaadt the artist

In the Angler’s Coast Russell Chatham called it Bill Schaadt country, the area from Mirrabelle to Duncan Mills where Bill’s artistry was displayed in the hand-painted signs and carvings of the Russian River vacation resorts. Although famous for his flowing sign designs, among fishermen the smaller pen-and-ink and pencil sketches of fish and flies were often the most sought after.

All-in-all Bill was a fabulous artist, with a wide range of skills. This early sketch was collected by Hal Janssen in the mess Bill left after he passed away. It is indicative of Bill’s most consistent subject, fishing of course.

Schaadt Sketch