By Mark Emiley

This year the Joint Base Lewis-McChord PHWFF Program developed a challenge for its members to promote participants to try to seek out catching a variety of fish, in lieu of simply one favorite species. By tackling learning the techniques, flies, and gear for different species, we expand our knowledge of the sport and can become more diverse and educated fisherfolk.

The challenge allocates “points” for different species and sizes of fish caught while fly fishing but you can only earn points for one species (you can’t catch 20 rainbow trout and earn 20 points). Each quarter the points for each participant are tallied up and they earn entries into a drawing for prizes like gear or gift certificates. Their slates are wiped clean every quarter for a new round of points leading up to another drawing. At the end of the year, all points from all quarters are tallied up for entries for a guided fly fishing trip.

The first quarter wrapped up and Josh Howen won a gift certificate to Peninsula Outfitters after earning points for catching a sea run cutthroat and a resident coho, both of which were 2 point fish. The second quarter is about to wrap up on June 30th where another gift certificate will be awarded to a drawing winner. All entrants have to do is send in pictures of their fish with the fly in they used in the photo and send it to the program lead.

This has been a great motivation to break out of our molds and really explore more of the aspects of the hobby. We’ve been able to learn about new fish, get to cover more varieties of water, and fully utilize our gear and fly inventory all while getting a chance to win some cool prizes. Thanks to the program leadership for putting this project together and best of luck to all of the participants through the rest of the year!

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