SPONSORS
(If you are a sponsor and your logo and/or link is not posted here, please contact us.)

Casey Key Anglers, Nokomis, FL

Great Outdoor Provision Co. Charlotte, NC

Frank Amato Publications Portland, OR

Jesse Brown�s Outfitters Charlotte, NC

Brumfield Enterprises Parkesburg, PA

Outdoor Specialty Products Truckee, CA

Rainy�s Flies, Inc. Logan, UT

J. Fisher, LLC Mobridge, SD

Blue Ribbon Flies West Yellowstone, MT

Creative Publishing Minnekota, MN

Ozark Anglers

Hiwassee Chapter, Trout Unlimited

San Diego Fly Fishers

Long Beach Fly Fishers

Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers

Lacey Sportsman's Fly Club

Sportsman's Warehouse

Oaks Fire Company Fishing Club

Indianapolis Fly Casters

Wildcat Creek Outfitters Zionsville IN

Orvis Fly Shop Carmel, IN

Panhandle Flyfishers of Destin, FL

Updated 22 April 2010

Hey everyone,
     I made it to Kuwait! I'm hanging out on Camp Arifjan with the crew of OCF III and they are off and running. Updates on the trip will be posted to the OCF Facebook page (and mine) as we go. Link to the OCF Facebook page is below or or just click on the coin above or flyer below. Those awesome graphics on the coin are thanks to the folks at Hooked Carpe Diem, make sure you check them out.
     Biggest news for this update is Operation Catch Fish III.  Joe has pulled everything together and is working with our team in Baghdad for the third annual fishing tournament.  Joe has also put together a great team of celebrity anglers who will tour the country with him.  I've been assigned as the military escort for Joe and his group, so as soon as I find my way to Iraq, I'll be traveling around with him.  

Operation Catch Fish III on Facebook
Operation Catch Fish.com

         To all those on the Victory Base Complex reading this register for the tournament by following this link: https://j5.forces.iraq.centcom.mil/PLANS/Lists/OpCatchFish/Information.aspx.   A CAC card is required to log in.  Looking forward to seeing all of you on the water.

        In addition to my inclusion on Joe's team, Rick Pope of Temple Fork Outfitters ( The new BACSFF team has added Navy LT Jason Shaw, another avid fisherman, to t) has once more been extremely generous to our little club.  He donated more new rods to use as prizes.  I'll be bringing with me flyrods, spinning rods and casting rods.  I will be using TFOs Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Rod around the waters of Iraq, when I have a chance to sneak in a cast or two.  Thanks Rick - you and TFO have been amazing.

       The new BACSFF team has added Navy LT Jason Shaw, another avid fisherman, to the roster.  They continue to meet every Sunday about 0700-0730 near the Al Fawl palace. Facing the palace, the rendezvous point is bout 50 yards to the right.  

     For questions about the club or fishing anywhere in Iraq, just drop us a line by clicking here to e-mail us: Baghdad Anglers Club e-mail.  you can also use that address to send in pictures of the whoppers you've caught and get them posted in our gallery.

         For those interested in fly patterns that work in Baghdad, you can check out this link: link: Iraq Fly Patterns.  Some are standards - some are patterns created by anglers in Iraq. 

     This months first entry comes from Capt Jeremy Smart who commands an infantry company, took about 15 of his guys out fishing. Capt Smart played "guide" while his troops caught fish. Near the end of the day His XO, 1LT Chris Adams caught a Big Head Carp in Z Lake, Easter hooked into a monster and when it started to spool him, he slowly tightened the drag and finessed him in. Many in the company are from Texas and have experience fishing for black and red drum at the coast, so I'm sure the XO had lots of advice while he played the fish. Big Head Carp are not a real common catch, but his is even more unusual in that he caught it using a Rooster Tail spinner with 8lb test. That is the first report I've gotten on a Big Head being caught on an artificial lure, and a spinner at that! Nice going Chris!

    
1LT Chris Adams and the Big Head Carp he caught on a Rooster Tail

     Kriss Fauss fishing by the hotel using french toast from breakfast and caught this 18lb carp less than 30 seconds after his first cast

Kriss shows off his 30 second carp.

     Dan Kearns also caught a nice carp out of Al Faw Lake.

Al Faw Lake carp.

     SSG John Rusnak sent in a picture of his 1st fish caught in country, a common carp he fooled with a piece of bread. Bread has been the downfall of many an Iraq carp! He also sent a pic of a stinging catfish that stole his bait, but didn't avoid the hooks.  Thanks for sending in the pictures John.

    
SSG Rusnak's 1st Iraq fish


Foul hooked bait thief, AKA Stinging Catfish

        That is the latest from Baghdad. For the guys on the ground, stay safe and get ready for Operation Catch Fish III!!!  Joe and I will be there with on the water in Baghdad in a few days.

Fish on! Joel

ASSOCIATES

SUPPORTERS

Rick Pope Dallas, TX

Ed Laine Charlotte, NC

Quint Overocker Knoxville, TN

Howard Weinberg Severna Park, MD

John Mundinger Helena, MT

T.L. Lauerman Mountain Home, AR

Chris Campion Coronado, CA

Keith Moore Spartanburg, SC

Wade Caler DDryden, NY

John Naiser Louisville, KY

Bill Bartee Charlotte, NC

Fred Bridge York, PA

Ed Kelleher Pacific Grove, CA

Richard Farino New York, NY

Tony Delaney Ringwood, NJ

Gary Wilson Covina, CA

David Payne Parkersburg, WV

Ronald Aston Weirton, WV

C.D. Shirk Parkersburg, WV

Alan Cayn Eastpointe MI

Jim Brossard

Patrick Colgan Royersford, PA

Bob Rorick Royersford, PA

Art Schueneman, Cody, WY

Gerry Stribling, Louisville, KY

Jack Hanley Barnstead, NH

Brad Morgan Boulder, CO

Colston Newton Clarksville, TN

Rolf Jacobsen Warminster, PA

Kelly Palmer Troy, MT

Steve Williams Lexington, NC

Doug Dale Kamas, UT

Gwen Crabtree ChaParkesburg, PA

Michael Rury Salisbury Mills, NY

Michael Rury Salisbury Mills, NY

Jesse Riding Logan, UT

Eric Bridge Ashburn, VA

Huxley H. Conklin Palmdale, CA

Willard McCorskey Cleveland, TN

Chad Burrell Parkersburg, WV

Kim Stewart Parkersburg, WV

Kelley Laughlin Norway, MI

Bill Kasper Royersford, PA

Matt Wanamaker Royersford, PA

Dan Miller Royersford, PA

Jim Taylor, Cody WY

Danny Egloff Pineville, LA

Don Edwards Garfield, GA

Kurt Carpenter Aurora, CO

Rob Gregiore Bozeman, MT

Gene Langston Watkinsville, GA

Doug Gilmore Adairsville, GA

John Roach Trenton, IL

Jack Elmer Canton, NY

John Harder Idaho Falls, ID

Sante Giuliani York, ME

James & Kristen Lyle Truckee, CA

Chris Jones Cedar Rapids, IA

Greg Holland Stafford, VA

Jon Sunquist Palmdale, CA

Dave Mercer Palmdale, CA

Rick Browning Parkersburg WV

Bob McKinney Parkersburg, WV

Pete Isner Parkersburg, WV

Bob Ealer Little Ferry, NJ

David Mosteller Royersford, PA

Brian Wood Royersford, PA

Charles Sabolovic Richardson, TX

Gray Thornton Cody, WY

Bill Streitz Destin, FL

Kyle Brehem Billings, MT

Bill Roberts Horsham, PA

Mike Hayden Springfield, MO

Shelley Wagner Escondido, CA

James Kissane Lees Summit, MO

Bob Romano, New Jersey

Ron Harris, Poway, CA

Baghdad Time & Temp