Fairfield Pennsylvania

30 June 2007

Keeping with the adage that fly fishing is not just for trout, our group of PHW regulars from Walter Reed traveled north across the Mason Dixon line on Saturday to the family farm of the Williams’, Duane and Linda. We were able to finally accept a long-standing invite by them to spend the day at their place fishing for the bass and bluegills that populate their ponds. They have a beautiful piece of farmland just across the border in Pennsylvania, not to far from Gettysburg – a short drive from Walter Reed. Participating were CPT Eivind Forseth (organizer and leader), PFC Josh Everett, SFC Norris Galatas, SFC Diane Cochran, Diane’s daughter, Candy, Bill Johnston, SGT Sam Floberg and 1LT Brian Jackson. Helping out were R.C. Jones and myself.

After arriving and being welcomed by the Duane and Linda, we got right to work and headed for the ponds across the road. It took a little time to figure out how to go about the catching part, so when lunch time arrived, there wasn’t much bragging going on.

That soon changed after everyone was fortified by the very nice cookout lunch the Williams’ provided. Back to the ponds, and now, greater fish participation. Everyone was yanking out bluegills right and left. The participants in the rowboat and canoe found the honey holes and were able to entice a few largemouth, too. Two of the anglers, Will and Brian were brand new to fly fishing and casting, and by the end of the day, not only had they figured the cast out, but had landed many a bluegill.

It was hard to get everyone to leave the ponds, but leave they did and it was back to Walter Reed. Another very nice outing in the memory books of all. Our sincere thanks to Duane and Linda Williams for their warm welcome, the lunch and the opportunity to spend a day with fly rod in hand.

Ed Nicholson