Mossy Creek Invitational II

Monday, April 20th, 2009 | Uncategorized

Bridgewater, VA

April 4, 2008

 

As we all gathered at Hams in Harrisonburg, VA Friday evening for the traditional social, prior to the tournament Saturday, all the participants, volunteers, and well wishers were having a grand time. The warriors from Walter Reed, FT Belvoir and FT Lee were getting to know their hosts and guides for the next day and there was plenty of big talk about the fishing conditions that we could expect and the numerous fish that were sure to find themselves flat side down on the measuring boards. It was a perfect way to prepare for the tournament. We again, thank the good folks at Hams for their generous hosting of the social.

Saturday morning arrived with cloudless skies that were to prevail for the rest of a gorgeous Spring day at Bob and Robin Fitch’s Mossy Creek Lodge. John Miko, the tournament impresario, had matters well in hand and soon introductions, assignment s, rules, and directions were being issued. Participants were: SGT Preston Jackson, SSG (RET) Josh Williams, CPT Ferris Butler, SSG Shaun Meadows (USAF), SGT Keniel Martinez, SSG Ryan Ferre, PFC Josh Cadenbach, SGT Dave Walker, SFC Sonja Elzy, SSG Jackie Hull and PV2 Christy Bishop.  Teams formed up and it was off to the Mossy. Not only did the tournament have Bob’s waters to fish, but his two neighbors,  the Wengers and Gottwalts had graciously made their portions of the Creek available also. Plenty of water and plenty of fish. There was one small problem though – the rains of the past two days had considerably dirtied the water and it was soon apparent that this condition would play a factor in the fishing; that, and the high pressure that had generated the cloudless skies. Colby Trow, of the Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Shop, and head river monitor, was observed running up and down the creek trying to put the bite on, but it was a relatively slow morning. The big news was team Miko (guide Lauren) and Sonja Elzy had the field abuzz with their catches under the bridge. It was evident that as noon rolled around, that they were going to be the team to beat.

After a fine BBQ lunch donated by Frank and Cathy Sholwaller, and ably assisted by the fine folks of Bridgewater, VA the anglers were refreshed and ready for the afternoon session. The sun had considerably warmed things up and everyone was of a mind that the fishing was going to get better. And so it was. The cries of fish on accompanied by bended rods and partners scrambling to net fish became commonplace.  Lauren and Sonja continued to catch, but the team of Shaun Meadows and Ray Kozen was closing fast. As time ran out at 3:30, and the final tally in inches of fish appeared on John’s board it was to the delight of Shaun and his partner that they had bettered the ladies by one inch of fish and were declared the MCI 2009 winners. Biggest fish winner was Lauren Miko having landed a 19 and ¾ inch Brown. The total of fish inches caught for the day was well over 400 inches of trout.

The presentations and awards were made after a terrific prime rib supper and as was the case there on the Mossy Creek, the many thanks for a wonderful and successful fundraising event that were expressed, need to be echoed here:

Bob and Robin Fitch  - we thank you for again hosting the Invitational and allowing us to enjoy a very special day at your Lodge. Bob, your efforts in fundraising are unmatched.

John Miko – you’re the man. Pulling all this together was a big job, and you again were more than equal to the task.

The Trow brothers of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing  - Colby and Brian, we thank you ever so much for  all the work you do to organize the fishing part of this event. The results are most evident.

Mayor Hallie Dinkel and the town of Bridgewater, VA – for your continuing support of this event and for the great welcoming banner. We all love Bridgewater.

Don Bell – As the on location director, we can’t thank you enough. For most of the day you were a blur – a man in action, and your help on the Mossy doesn’t count the untold hours I’ll bet you spent setting things up before hand. Many thanks.  

The Massenutten Chapter of Trout Unlimited – for supplying a good bulk of monitors and guides and for your generous contributions to the raffles and silent auction.

The corporate and individual sponsors of this event and PHWFF – we most especially thank all of you. Your support will enable our project to continue grow and help an ever increasing number of deserving servicemembers and veterans.

 

·         BAE Systems

·         Lockheed Martin

·         SAIC

·         Booz and Company

·         Cobham

·         Dyncorps

·         Honeywell

·         DRS

·         Catherine Reynolds Foundation

·         The Orvis Company

·         Temple Fork Outfitters

·         Jerry Nonnemacher Cane Rods

·         Roger Fowler, Sculptor

 

We of PHWFF offer thanks to all that supported our cause at the Mossy Creek Invitational II

Until next year .

 

Ed Nicholson

PHWFF, President