When a close friend and fishing buddy passes it gives us pause to reflect on life and what our priorities should be. May his freinds and loved ones realize even a small portion of how he enriched their lives and their's his life.
Having been in shoes similar to yours, all I can suggest is remember him in the best possible light and go do something that you enjoyed doing together in remeberance (each year on his birthday makes a nice touch).
Tight lines,
Wade