I became the staff artist at Fur-Fish-Game magazine in 1986. They needed someone who knew the difference between a coilspring and a conibear and could illustrate stories that showed the details of “how-to” trapping articles accurately. In 1993, I was asked by the editor to do a portrait of Charles Dobbins for a piece he wrote about “Thinking Trappers – Experience makes the best trapline teacher”. I had never met Charlie, and I had no photos to draw from. So I got his number and called him. I told him what I was visualizing for the portrait design. He had written a very popular book on the adjustment of leg hold traps, so I picture him at his work bench with a trap in the vise and some furs hanging in the background. I also mentioned that this would be a black & white pencil drawing. He said he would see about it and send me some pictures soon. Later that week, I received a package containing some incredible photos of exactly what I had pictured! And he had gone the extra mile to take these in black and white, which was an extra expense at the time! I was elated. I later learned that this is how Charlie did things, always doing that little extra bit to get the job done. The pencil drawing took me 2 weeks to complete and was featured in the May 1993 issue, page14. I soon received a hand written letter from Charlie, saying he was “well pleased” with the drawing and asked if he could use it on his “Traps, Equipment, & Modifications” video. I agreed, and our friendship began. He would eventually have me provide illustrations for many of his books and video covers. A few years later, Charlie called me to let me know he was very ill and was going to have surgery. Not long after, I was setting up my booth at the Ohio State Trappers convention and looked over to see Charlie at his booth just weeks after having one of his lungs removed. The word “amazing” is so over-used in this day and age, but that is THE only word I can say to sum up this man. One day I happened to stumble upon Webster’s definition of a “dobbins” as a ‘reliable plodding work horse’, and had to pause with a smile on my face. Charles Dobbins was indeed “one of a kind”.
Charlie passed away in 1997. The Ohio State Trappers Association asked me to draw a special tribute to him on a wooden stretcher board to be put in the Saturday auction. Paul gave me one of Charlie's trap to tags to fasten at the bottom of the board. The bidding war was hot and heavy, and tears were flowing as many of Charlie’s family & friends were wanting to honor their dearly departed one. One of Charles’ closest friends, J.C. Conner took the board home that night, where it is displayed with reverence and pride. I have since befriended Charles’ son Paul who has taken over the internet trapping forum known as “Trapperman.com” which was started by Charlie. A few months later, I was walking by Paul’s booth at the NTA convention. He called me over to show me something on his camera screen. It was zoomed in close, and I had trouble at first, but it appeared to be a drawing I did for one of Charles’ video covers. Paul said, “Now, zoom out.” A few clicks later and I was looking at Charles L. Dobbins’ grave stone that had my artwork beautifully engraved on it! The lump in my throat grew to where I had to walk away from his booth to wipe my eyes. I am truly honored by this gesture from a family I have grown to love and deeply respect! The friendships I have made in my 35 plus years in the field of trapping are some of the most treasured blessings of my life!

Joe Goodman
www.JoeGoodmanPrints.com
614-863-9456

Threads like this are why I love Trapperman! Thank you so much for sharing that Joe.

That's awesome.

I was very fortunate to spend some hours sitting on a tailgate or around a campfire chatting with Charlie. Lots of thought-provoking conversations.

Great post. Thanks for sharing it!

Great post, thanks

Great posting, only met the gentleman twice for a few minutes but it was memorable, thanks again.
Casexx

Thanks for sharing that.

Great write up.

Nice write up Joe! I remember being at our state convention and hearing about Charlie passing...Hit me hard! Sure do miss his writings.

Very nice. Love the headstone!

Thank you for this nice write-up Joe. Dad respected you a lot, as do I.

Your art work captures the 'spirit' of whatever your drawing! Great story and it seems most met Charlie he was at THAT work bench piddling around on some trap, was how i first met him in 1984 but what struck me as i listened to question after question being leveled at him was the fact he was as in detail answering some 8 year old kids question about 'rat trapping as he was answering some grizzled old trapper's more complex question about fox trapping! In his world the only stupid question was the one you didn't have the nerve to ask!

As i got older and heard the same ol question's asked over and over year after year I had even more respect for him as I can't imagine how many time's he answered the same question from convention to convention year after year and always did so with a smile on his face, lol.

Yep he was one of a kind!

Great post!

Thanks for sharing. Great tribute

Paul, I always felt that Charlie missed his calling as a trap designer/ consultant for one of the BIG trap companies. I mean why in the world would you go out and market a new trap and not run it by a trapper like your Dad? Between Charlie, JC and Slim (as well as others) why would you not take their advice before running the manufacturing for a new model trap?

Great post, thank you for all you do Joe. You jave done so much for the trapping community. Charles Dobbins was an icon in trapping. People like you and Charlie are what we should all aspire to be like

I believe it was in 1994 that my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Charles Dobbins in Fond Du Lac, at the NTA convention. There was a group of people around his table visiting, so I waited until they cleared out and we introduced ourselves. Mr. Dobbins treated us like we had been friends for many years and answered all my questions. Questions I'm sure he had heard many, many times already, but you wouldn't have known it from his replies.

I had often heard you should never meet your heroes, because you will likely be disappointed. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. I'd say getting to meet and shake Charles Dobbins hand was without question was one of the highlights of my time in trapping. I've met many other great people involved in the trapping community, but none have ever compared to meeting Mr. Dobbins.

Jerry and his mom.met him at a convention. Ms Elnora bought the first bottle of Backbreaker cjarlie commercially sold at a convention.

Jerry trapped with him for 3 weeks in indiana.
he went out with Carl jones and charlie brought him home

Charlie is the one who taught Jerry to clean skin beaver.

thanks

The impact the father and the son has had in the trapping world is really something quite remarkable. I wonder which one is prouder of the other. It's good to be part of it.