Beaver Creek, Maryland
6 October 2007
On Saturday, 6 October, the band of anglers of Project Healing Waters convoyed north to fish a spectacular stretch of Beaver Creek near Hagerstown, Maryland. PHW’s crew for this mission consisted of CPT David Folkerts, SFC Norris Galatas, SSG Chris Millward, SGT Jake Altman and his mother, Gloria, SPC David Klatt and his girlfriend, Michelle, PFC Jeff Breezee, and Candy Cochran. R.C. Jones and 1LT Elisabeth Mixer provided logistical and medical support. Matt Grimm joined us to share his fly fishing expertise.
PHWFF was invited to join Doug Hutzell, Paul Helm, John Brognard and many more active members of the Antietam Fly Anglers, Creekside Anglers, and Patuxent Valley Fly Fishers. These seasoned fly fishers were standing by to gilly for the wounded anglers. We knew the fishing was going to be challenging. It was an unusually warm day for October. In fact, it was downright hot! And only a day before, the section of creek we were on had been dyed for a conservation experiment, mainly to identify where the water flows. We swore we were stalking trout in green antifreeze. Although we anglers knew the fishing would be difficult, we were determined to hook up trout. Rods were rigged, flies were tied, and we strategized before wetting lines.
Just when we thought the trout were getting the best of us, Jake Altman hooked up a fatty rainbow. It was his first fish caught since he lost his right arm in Iraq earlier this year. He was able to cast his rod by attaching the rod to his prosthetic arm using Velcro straps. He disproved my theory of beginner’s luck by skillfully landing two more good sized rainbows. His mother, Gloria, was beaming with pride. She later told me Jake had a perma-grin for the rest of the weekend.
Further downstream, a few of PHWFF’s more experienced anglers were presenting a variety of terrestrials – buggers, streamers, soft hackles, beaded nymphs. The determined warriors flogged the water relentlessly, bouncing flies on the noses of wiley trout. I was sure I was going to get skunked until I hooked into a fighter. That trout shot straight upstream, stripping my reel by the yard. I yelled for Elisabeth to get a net; she took off as fast as the trout. Within seconds, the torpedo broke off, taking my fly with him. Simultaneously, I heard David Folkerts yelling for a net. His fly rod was bent and his line was racing in figure eights in the lime green water. After a good fight, he landed a hog. That fish was bigger than the net! I hooked into another rainbow soon thereafter, but Dave held the title for the biggest fish. Chris caught two fatties in the “honey hole,” and R.C. came upstream and informed us he’d landed two nice rainbows downstream near the old mill.
After a few hours on the water, we broke down our gear and moved to a nearby gazebo for a catered picnic, thanks to the generous folks of the Antietam Fly Anglers, Creekside Anglers, and Patuxent Valley Fly Fishers. The only thing better than the food was their warm hospitality, and the food was delicious. While we ate, drank, and enjoyed good company, our hosts conducted fly casting and fly tying demonstrations. The fastest way to a warrior’s heart is through his stomach; the anglers were able to take extra food and desserts back to Walter Reed for the enjoyment of our fellow anglers who weren’t able to make the trip.
Project Healing Waters greatly appreciates the generous support of the Antietam Fly Anglers, Creekside Anglers, and Patuxent Valley Fly Fishers. PHWFF fishes Beaver Creek frequently; we consider Beaver Creek our home water in Maryland. Doug Hutzell and his crew make us feel like family. As usual, we had a fantastic day of fishing on Beaver Creek. We will be there again soon to conduct our unique form of therapy, healing those who serve.
Eivind Forseth,
PHWFF Project Coordinator
