We hosted a group of twenty plus Wounded Warriors at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center on Monday. This was our third WW fly fishing event at the center. Some of the participants had attended before but at least half were here for the first time. This mix of attendees is what we have come to expect because many have either moved on with their lives or are busy with medical appointments and of course there are new soldiers, who due to circumstances beyond their control, suddenly find themselves in the program. With this wide range of experience level we are flexible in our program. We try to insure that fishing education is part of each fishing event. Monday's program included a brief introduction followed by rotation to knot tying and rod assembly stations, a casting station and an introduction to fly tying station. Each station is very much a hands-on exercise.
All of our instruction is given by volunteers from the local area. We all live near Ft Bragg and either know someone in the service or are ourselves military retirees so we really identify with the Wounded Warriors.
Knot tying and rod assembly are basic skills necessary for aspiring fly fishermen.
Casting is the skill that some pick up easily while others become more frustrated by the moment. Our cadre of volunteers have lots of patience and do not allow anyone to give up. A few of the participants had been fly fishing from an early age and offered encouragement to their fellow WW.
Introduction to fly tying was the station which brought the most interest. Just about everyone wanted to know where they could purchase a beginners fly tying kit so they could practice on their own. Everyone proudly left with a Woolybugger they had tied themselves.
We can't hold a fishing event without going fishing. Our program insures that at least half of the time is spent at one of the many ponds on the facility, all of which are full of catfish, bream, hybrid stripers and trout (Cool weather months only for the trout). We still have not trained the fish very well because they seem to be very finicky feeders lately. Nevertheless, it was a warm sunny afternoon and everyone was enjoying the opportunity to forget their pains by concentrating on the end of that flyline.
Fish were caught but they came one at a time. This is a hybrid striper which was raised from fry size to now where the majority of them are over a foot long. Very aggressive feeders when they want to be. They also give a good account of themselves on a flyrod.
This young lady had a ball once she figured out where a group of feeding trout were located and what techniques were working at the moment. (emerger fly, fished on a moderate stripped just beneath the surface)
Lots of smiles and lots of "thank you's" today. I don't remember when I have been around a more courteous and enthusiastic group. The WW had a ball and the volunteers all left with a good feeling in their heart.
Our next Wounded Warrior event is scheduled for Monday February 11, 2008 from 1300 -1700 hrs. I'm pumped and ready for it. Makes me feel like I am doing a little for those that have given so much to perserve our nation's way of life.