BAGHDAD ANGLERS CLUB AND SCHOOL OF FLY FISHING

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 08 May 2010

Howdy all,
     If you have not found Baghdad Anglers Club Facebook, head over and give us a shout. We've already heard from one Soldier who could well be the first one to catch a fish in Saadam's ponds, back in 2003. I hope to hear of more tales like that one. Share your fish stories and post your pictures. Become a BAC fan and share us out to all your friends!

     I've been more than a little lax on updating the gallery, but have corrected that deficiency with this update.

     OCF III is over. The team of Joe Mercurio, Sheli Sanders, Mary Delgado, Gary Hain, Erin Buxton, Jennifer Thomas, Todd Grondzki, Cody Herman and I (Joel Stewart) had a fantastic time visiting the troops in Kuwait and Iraq. We got to some pretty isolated spots and were the only entertainment some of the troops had seen in months. Joe was very specific in requesting visits to places that other tours don't always get to and it paid off. OCF III visited Troops on Camp Arifjan, Kuwiat; LSA Ali Al Salem, Kuwiat (including a batch of Navy Seabees who where having a heck of a time going home); Victory Base Complex, Baghdad; JSS Justice, Baghdad; FOB Falcon, Baghdad; JSS Doura, Baghdad; FOB Al Muthana, Baghdad; FOB Mahmudiyah, Al Asad AB, Fallujah; FOB Ramadi, Fallujah.

    It was a pleasure to visit all the men and women on these bases and everyone on the team was impressed by the motivation and professionalism of all. The biggest impression I took away from all this was how greatly improved the Iraqi Army and police were. They are trained, equipped and taking care of business. From everything I saw, we are right on track for the planned draw-down, which will take the force in Iraq from the current 95,000 to a advisory force of 50,000. Given the size of Iraq (larger than California) that is not a huge number of advisors to spread out over a lot of real estate.

Operation Catch Fish III on Facebook
Operation Catch Fish.com

These awesome graphics on the coin are thanks to the folks at Hooked Carpe Diem, make sure you check them out.

        Rick Pope of Temple Fork Outfitters has once more been extremely generous to our little club with a donation of fly rods, spinning rods and casting rods. I used TFOs Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Rod around the waters of Iraq and couldn't be more pleased. Thanks Rick - you and TFO have been amazing.
     We'll start with a few shots from the OCF III Derby held at Z Lake on Camp Liberty. I did not get a lot of pictures from that day - I was busy with the tournament. Almost 800 people participated in the derby, so I know there are lots of photos out there. If any one who was at the tournament has pics they are willing to share, e-mail them to the club or hit us up on Baghdad Anglers Club Facebook, we'd love to post them on the website.

     The day of the derby found the club members and a group of volunteers from the Mayor Cell busy moving all the prizes and fishing supplies from storage to the derby sight. The day before we assembled 500 Okuma rod/reel combos to be handed out. Participants checked in at the derby sight, were issued a license and then selected a rod (wich they kept), were given a t-shirt and then chose between a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses or a Reactor wrist watch, while supplies lasted.

     While everything was being set up and anglers checked in, the OCF team members talked with the troops and offered advice. The Saintsations, Erin and Jennifer didn't have a lot of fishing advice to offer, but the line to see them was pretty long despite that. At 1330, I introduced Joe and he in turn introduced the OCF team. MGen Anderson then stepped up to the mike and officially kicked off the derby. 700+ lines went into the water and the fish never knew what hit them. Five check-in stations were set up, equipped with Mustad digital scales and a ruler.

     Prizes were up for grabs for the biggest five fish by weight and the smallest fish by length. Fishermen were scattered around the entire perimeter of the lake, covering several miles of water. Some were pretty serious and rigged out with enough tackle to outfit a half dozen anglers. Others took a more relaxed approach, taking full advantage of an afternoon away from work, and were in lawn chairs with coolers of cold pop (or near beer). Some even fired up a grills and were burning burgers and dogs. Many said it was their best day of fishing in ages, despite not getting a bite. That is the definition of mission success for Operation Catch Fish!

    The derby was called to a close about an hour early. A thunderstorm rolled in hot and cleared everyone off the water. A thunderstorm in Baghdad is no joke, complete with high winds, dust, lightening and finally, fat, heavy rain. The awards ceremony was moved into a nearby recreation center. The winners were read off from smallest to biggest, with Air Force Capt. xxx taking the prize for biggest fish. The first OCF Derby in 2008 was won by a Marine and the second in 2009 was won by a Soldier. I guess one could say the Navy is well enough represented in the world of Iraq fishing between me founding the club and two more Navy guys currently running it. The winners all recieved a Reactor Watch, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, a OCF coin and a plaque. Additionally, the top 3 recieved a signed Guy Harvey print. Capt. xxx won a generator in addition to all the other items awarded the other winners. Capt. did not fish much before the derby and only came because one of his Airmen registered him for it. The best part of his story, he caught the fish on his first cast. About 80 fish were checked in, but I know many more were caught because I talked to a number of anglers who just released their fish, thinking them too small to win.

Operation Catch Fish III Z-Lake Derby

       In addition to the derby, lots of folks are getting out on the water around Baghdad. The fish may not be the same as what they catch back home, but fishing is fishing. One can escape from everything and recharge, whether it is on the middle of a trout stream, on a boat in a bass lake, in-shore along the coast or out in the big blue ocean, fishing is an escape from the pressures of life. It is not virtual reality, it is real as it gets. Fishing is not just about the catching, but about being outdoors and reconnecting with our primal roots as hunter/gathers. Most do not need to fish for subsistence, but there is a deep seated pleasure in bringing a fish to hand, whether the fish is meant to be served with lemon and butter or to be released to be caught another day, the feeling of elation is the same.

This is SSG Bucky Simpson with an early morning French toast catch.

SPC Bui, deployed with the Louisiana National Guard sent in this picture of a fish he caught.
He really wanted to fish in the tournament but had to work, which was a bummer for him.
His bait is an "old ancient Chinese secret," so he won't tell.
He brought the fish in with a trusty Zebco 33 with 14 lb test.

       In addition to these Soldiers getting on the water, so have some of the club's leadership. The current BAC President, LCDR Ken Nguyen was out fishing at lunch one day and landed this whopper of a barbel. Ken is a perfect example of what this club has done for many of our troops. Prior to deploying to Iraq, Ken never fished. He not only caught his first fish in Iraq, but has taken up fly fishing and even ties his own flies. Additionally, he is carrying on the club tradition of helping others get into the sport and get on the water. Thanks Ken for not just picking up the torch, but making it burn brighter!

LCDR Ken Nguyen shows off a decent barbel. Note the close resemblance to a mangar.


Jeremy Harrigan, a contractor and dedicated club member, managed these asp over at Lost Lake.

       Now it would not have been a trip to Iraq if I did not get on the water. Though the OCF schedule kept me pretty busy, I did manage to get on the water. I even had the chance to get together with the club and fish a bit with them. I hate to admit it, but I was completely skunked that morning, I never even got a hit. LCDR Nguyen managed to bring several asp to hand, showing me up in fine fashion. Through the span of the trip, I managed to land about 30 fish spanning five species: common carp, asp, barbs, shaboot and stinging catfish. Mangar eluded me, never even saw one. Every fish I caught on this trip was with TFOs Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing dedication rod. Don't know that I'll ever fish with another. What is a fish story without pictures? Unbelievable...here are my pics.


Asp                                                                                                   Carp


Barb                                                                                                      Shaboot

On the water with the club.

       Some others on the OCF team got on water as well. The first night in country, Mary Delgado hooked a big fish, but poor netting skills on the part of another member facilitated the fish's escape (he'll say it was a crumby makeshift net). The "Master Caster," Gary Hain tied into a nice fish that same night. Cody Herman turned out to be a fishing maniac in the same league as myself. He managed several fish, including a very respectable carp on my 5wt. I'm sure those pictures will turn up sooner or later. For now, here is Gary's fish and Cody with an asp.


The "Master Caster"                                                                    Cody shows his asp

       Jason Shaw has gone through the club supplies and finds they need the following items:
             Jig heads (1/4 oz and smaller)
             Forceps
             Fly leader and tippet
             Backing for fly reels
             Flies (wet, streamers, minnows)
             Basic fly rod/reel combos
             Basic spinning rod/reel combos

       The club continues to meet every Sunday about 0700-0730 near the Al Faw palace. Facing the palace, the rendezvous point is about 50 yards to the right. Don't know how to fish, don't worry, we've got folks to teach you. Don't have a rod - again, we are here to help.

     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, check out this link: link: Iraq Fly Patterns. Some are standards - some are patterns created by anglers in Iraq.

        That is the latest from Baghdad. For the guys on the ground, stay safe. It was great to fish with some of you and even better to get so many people on the water in Baghdad. Don't forget to link up with us on Facebook!

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