There are some men whose presence fills a room. Others fill a river, a community, a generation. Larry McClintock did all three. Born in Modesto, California, Larry spent his first ten years as an only child before life carried his family north to Clackamas, Oregon.
He grew up healthy, competitive, and athletic, excelling in baseball and building the work ethic that would define the rest of his life. His father, Wayne K. McClintock, later passed away due to asbestos exposure from his work in the plaster and cement trade. His mother, Evelyn McClintock who now resides in Portland, remained a steady foundation in his life.
Larry once volunteered for military service but was denied entry because his wife was due to deliver their baby. That moment reflected something central to who he was: when duty called, he answered. And when the family needed him, he stood firm.
He is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 39 years, Becky McClintock, who remains in their East Portland home.
Those who knew Larry understand that everything he accomplished was built on the strength of that partnership. Becky was his confidant, his scheduler, his sounding board, and his greatest supporter. Together, they were unstoppable.
Larry is also survived by his son, Dr. Travis McClintock of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his daughters Tammy Gilbert of Rockaway, Oregon, and Shelly Rasmussen of Northern California. His pride in his children was as deep as the Columbia River he loved so much.
Larry was a welder, an entrepreneur, a volunteer firefighter, and a qualified EMT. He built utility trailers on the side. He started a firewood and wood-chipping business that employed up to six people. When arborists felled trees, Larry followed up, turning debris into opportunity.
Later, he sold that business to pursue other ventures and to make more time for fishing. But perhaps one of his most widely known roles in the Pacific Northwest was as the owner of “Critter Gitter.”
From 1983 to 2020, Larry held Animal Control contracts with Multnomah, Washington, and Clark Counties. Operating alongside police officers, he responded to calls involving loose and dangerous animals of every kind imaginable. He was often the lead man in clearing hazardous situations for police, fire, and EMT crews. His expertise in trapping and wildlife control earned him tremendous respect throughout the law enforcement community.
It was through this work that he met Becky, who relayed emergency calls to his pager from a phone answering service. That connection would shape the rest of his life.
If you fished for walleye in Oregon or Southwest Washington, you knew Larry. He founded “Critter Gitter Tackle,” specializing in walleye gear, and became one of the Northwest’s most trusted sources of fishing knowledge. Beginners sought him out. Tournament anglers respected him. Agencies listened to him.
He frequently consulted with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, offering insight that helped shape modern fishing regulations. Newspapers and fishing magazines often interviewed him, recognizing his expertise.
Larry became a Pro Staffer for Mack's Lure, and his involvement went far beyond simply using their gear. He helped develop and refine color patterns for the iconic Smile Blades, carefully studying what Columbia River walleye responded to in varying water conditions. His hands on input helped shape blade colors that anglers across the Pacific Northwest and beyond have relied on for years. To this day, when a Smile Blade spins beneath the surface, part of Larry’s vision spins with it.
“I will always remember Larry for his passion for walleye fishing and his loving heart towards helping others. He truly had a giving spirit and was a special man that I was blessed to know.” - Bob Schmidt, President of Mack’s Lure
He wasn’t just selling tackle, he was advancing the craft.
For 30 years, Larry was the lifeblood of the Lower Columbia Walleye Club. Meetings were often held at his home and warehouse. Newsletters were printed, stored, and distributed through his effort. He personally compiled and published a staggering volume of fishing knowledge in the “Lower Columbia Walleye Club Newsletter,” a resource that continues today through those he mentored.
He organized and promoted the Lower Columbia Walleye Tournament the western most circuit tournament and turning it into a cornerstone event for competitive anglers. Larry had a rare gift: he could summon the energy of those around him. He rallied volunteers, coordinated sponsors, built momentum, and created opportunities.
Larry was a tournament-grade walleye fisherman with two cherished boats he treated like family. He was equally at home chasing big game in Oregon and British Columbia, successfully hunting bear, moose, elk, and deer. His collections of knives, firearms, and taxidermy reflected not just hobbies, but deep respect for the outdoors. Yet for all his accomplishments, what most people remember is his generosity, his ambition, and his coffee cup rarely empty. There was never enough time in the day for him. He lived fast, worked hard, and gave freely.
His legacy lives in the countless anglers he mentored, the tournaments he built, the newsletters he published, the communities he protected, and the fishing tackle innovations he helped bring to life. It lives in every Columbia River sunrise where a boat idles toward a favorite stretch of current.
And it lives in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to call him husband, father, friend, partner, and mentor. The river runs on. So does his impact.
Larry Wayne McClintock (1945-2026)
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