New Years at the Brigadoon Lodge

December 31 – January 2

The Brigadoon Lodge in north Georgia hosted soldiers and veterans from PHWFF for a special New Years celebration.  Rebekah Stewart, the owner of the lodge was very excited at the opportunity of being able to host this event after having hosted a similar event for PHWFF at the end of November.  A group of 10 veterans, soldiers and wives from North Carolina, and Virginia attended the event and where treated to world class lodging and fly fishing.  Jason Baker of the Salisbury North Carolina W.G. Hefner VAMC Chapter of PHWFF organized the trip and provided guide services for the participants of this event.

Upon arrival on the 31st of January, everyone was amazed at the beauty and serenity of their surroundings that the Brigadoon Lodge provided for them on the Soque River.  It was the perfect setting to bring in the new year that evening which was enjoyed by fire light from the indoor fireplace at the main lodge. 

When everyone woke up the next morning, they were excited to celebrate the new year by getting into their fishing waders, grabbing their fly rods, and heading down the crystal clear waters of the Soque river in pursuit of 20 inch plus Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.  Fishing was slow at first but as the day went on and warmed up every soldier and veteran had hooked on to and brought in at least one fish.

On the last day everyone woke up to a light rain that made fishing difficult in the early hours of the day but when the sun came out and the temperatures raised again the fish became active and were soon being caught again. Veteran Jamie Reese of Ashville, North Carolina pulling in the biggest fish of that day with a nice 23” Rainbow Trout.

When it was time to leave for home, everyone was thankful for the wonderful trip and all agreed that the Brigadoon Lodge was one of their best fishing experiences they ever had!

By David Folkerts
Program Manager, PHWFF