The 2007 National Casting Call

30 April 2007

A river runs through it. This phrase conjures up images of long tailing loops on a wide Montana stream. But in this case the river is running directly through our nation’s capitol. While not traditionally considered a fly fishing destination, Washington DC and the famous Potomac River offer up a special breed of fly fishing each year with the spring migration of Hickory and American shad. This annual event brings members of Congress, top-level state and federal agency officials, captains of the fishing and boating industries, conservation organization leaders and others to the banks of the river to wet fishing lines and learn more about the need to protect fish habitat across the nation.

The 2007 National Casting Call (formerly the Congressional Casting Call) was held on Monday April 30 at Fletchers Cove in the C&O National Park in the nation’s capital. Sponsored by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA), along with partners that include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the National Park Service, and Trout Unlimited, the event brings together angling advocates and fish habitat conservationists with members of Congress, the Bush Administration, and other policy makers to discuss issues that are important to the fly-fishing industry.

For the second year Project Healing Waters was invited by AFFTA to participate in the Casting Call. Our organization has undergone a great deal of growth since last year’s Casting Call and many in attendance were excited to hear of our expansion as a non-profit organization and our growth to involve military and Veterans hospitals throughout the country. Additionally, many of the wounded service members currently being cared for at Walter Reed Army Medical Center had the opportunity to try their hand at shad fishing including Mr. William "Bill" Johnston (USMC, Viet Nam), PV2 Jeff Breezee, USA, SPC Sam Floberg, USA, SPC J.R. Salzman, USA, and his wife Josie, CPL Rob Kislow, USA, SGT Dennis Cline, USA, SFC Diane Cochran, USAF, 1LT David Folkerts, USA, CPT Eivind Forseth, USA and Mr. Barry Yancosek, Instructor of Fire Arms Training (FATS Program), WRAMC. Because of the excellent weather and ideal water conditions, many shad and perch were caught.

The comeback of the shad to the Potomac is a fascinating story demonstrating that when people work in partnership to protect, enhance and restore fish habitat, everyone wins. This year marks the first anniversary of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, which was launched at this same gathering last year. The mission of this fast-growing effort is to protect, restore and enhance the nation's fish and aquatic habitat through partnerships that foster the best conservation methods and it has already begun to replicate success stories all over the country like those of the shad.

Project Healing Waters was privileged to be a part of this year’s National Casting Call and looks forward to future participation as we strive to protect and restore our national fisheries and introduce more wounded warriors to the restorative powers of a day on the river with a fly rod.

~Dale Harman