On July 1, 2025 the fishing community lost a bright young star; Eric Tarpinian-Jachym 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, passed away tragically from a shooting in Washington, D.C. One mile from the White House. Eric was honored to be hired by Rep. Estes from Kansas for a summer internship as a Legislative Intern to the House of Representatives.
As a toddler, Eric began fishing in Rhode Island with his grandfather, parents and siblings. He started out by fishing for crabs, and then got into clamming with his family and friends. He enjoyed countless hours fishing in the boat with his father. On one of his last outings this spring, striped bass were hitting small sand eel imitations very well. But that wasn’t good enough for Eric, he HAD to catch a fish on a custom metal lip swimmer. He didn’t give up until he landed that bass. He loved collecting custom plugs and strived to find how best to use them.
Eric and his father were members of RISAA, where he supported their initiatives before the Rhode Island Fisheries Commissions. His passion for the environment was evident to anyone who knew him. Eric and his father were also members of the Pioneer Valley Boat and Surf Club for more than five years. In that short time, Eric made a huge impression on all of the members. At the age of 20, he was the youngest member ever appointed to the board. Longtime hardcore fishermen found themselves opening up to him and sharing knowledge. He was a sponge for anyone willing to give advice. He also loved to share his success stories and tactics with other members. It was very refreshing to see a young man so passionate about a fishing club, in a time when fewer and fewer young people are getting involved. He was always willing to lend a hand at any of the club functions, including the Springfield Sportsman’s Show. He loved to talk about fishing, and the club, to attendees.
Eric loved fishing at all hours of the day or night. When it came time to participate in club tournaments, they could count on Eric to fish through the night, and catch big fish. In other words, when the old timers went to bed, Eric’s shift was just beginning. In 2023 he caught the largest bluefish in the RISAA Fall Surfcasting Challenge. That bluefish and a few bass he landed, won the competition for the Pioneer Valley Boat and Surf Club. His passion carried over to people he met while fishing the beaches or boulders. Eric was well known in the Rhode Island Surf Fishing Community. He loved collaborating with friends for planning out the right days, times, tides and tactics for the best chance of landing a big bass.
There is no doubt that Eric has left his mark on all who knew him. His devotion to his family and pursuits of life will long be remembered. Sadly we can only imagine what great things he would have accomplished. We will keep his memory fresh with every cast we take, and every story we tell.
This memoriam was shared by the president of the Pioneer Valley Boat and Surf Club, Steve Nacewicz. Eric was a regular photo contributor here at The Fisherman Magazine and was someone we looked forward to seeing at the shows each winter. Eric’s enthusiasm for fishing followed him like a visible glow and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and club members and we’d like to ask that all of our readers make a cast in his honor. A great young man, taken far too soon.
–D.Anderson
