SPONSORS
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WAPSI Mountain Home, AR

Casey Key Anglers, Nokomis, FL

Great Outdoor Provision Co. Charlotte, NC

RIO Products International, Inc. Idaho Falls, ID

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

3M Scientific Anglers St. Paul MN

Griffin Enterprises Missoula, MT

Blue Ribbon Flies West Yellowstone, MT

Creative Publishing Minnekota, MN

Ozark Anglers

Hiwassee Chapter, Trout Unlimited

San Diego Fly Fishers

Long Beach Fly Fishers

Kamakazee Baits

Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers

Project Healing Waters

Lacey Sportsman's Fly Club

Sportsman's Warehouse

Oaks Fire Company Fishing Club

Orvis

Indianapolis Fly Casters

Wildcat Creek Outfitters Zionsville IN

Orvis Fly Shop Carmel, IN

Updated January 07, 2009

ANNOUNCING THE GRAND OPENING OF
THE BAGHDAD ANGLERS ONLINE STORE
AND
BAC&SFF'S GREAT ALASKA ADVENTURE AUCTION!!!

Happy New Year!
         It hardly seems possible to be nine years into this century when just yesterday we were all worried about Y2K.  Even tougher to chew on is that the conflict in Iraq is entering a fifth year and the Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing has been in operation for over three of those years.  I'd sure like to see the need for such an organization end, but I don't think that will be any time soon.  I am looking for a way to expand this endeavor to include Afghanistan and anywhere else US men and women are deployed.  If they can get on the water, I want to enable them to catch fish.

     The year has begun with a bang for the club.  In addition to a facelift for the website, two fantastic opportunities presented themselves and will enable the club to have an even greater impact.

     First, Captain Charlie Summerville and his wife Helen, owners of Alaska Adventures LLC, an Orvis endorsed fly fishing Expedition company, has given the club a fantastic gift. Charlie is a veteran who graciously donated a week of fishing at his lodge in King Salmon, Alaska.  After discussing options with Charlie, we have decided that be largest benefit to the club will be to auction off the trip, valued at $5800.00! 

     The all inclusive trip, an adventure of a life time, begins with arrival at King Salmon Alaska and includes seven nights lodging with six days of fishing at Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge.  The lodge provides three meals daily and fully guided fishing on the Alagnak River with daily jet boat service to remote locations, round trip charter flight from King Salmon airport to remote lodge with all transfers and returns to the airport after the trip. The trip runs Sunday to Sunday, the week to be coordinated with Charlie and the winner. Winner of the auction is responsible for round trip airfare to King Salmon Airport, purchasing an Alaska fishing license ($50) and a guide gratuity. Charlie sent me a link to this great video Alaska Fishing. More information available on the website www.alaska-fly-fishing.net.
     The auction will be held on through this site and be open from 15Jan09 until it closes at 6:00 PM, Pacific Standard Time on 01April09. All proceeds from the auction will be used to get fishing equipment to Iraq and to support Wounded Warriors through Project Healing Waters. The first project to be supported will be a fishing tournament this summer, perhaps the last held in Baghdad.

     The second exciting development, also aimed to better support the club, is the grand opening of the Baghdad Anglers Online Store!

     As with the auction, proceeds from the store will be used to put fishing gear into the hands of folks with boots on the ground in Iraq. The items offered are at a 20% markup from cost, are made when ordered and shipped direct from the manufacturer. As this is the initial offering, I am open to suggestions for the product line.

     To keep both new ventures legal and in the open, I have submitted Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing as a non-profit LLC (IRS EIN 26-3909044) and all accounting will be made available upon request. No individual will receive any monetary gain from this venture.

     We owe a huge thanks to the many people who sent in donations over the past month. Topping the list is Orvis, who donated dozens of rods, which are already in Iraq catching fish. We also received a great package from the Missouri River Fly Fishers and the Big R Fly Shop in my home town of Great Falls, MT. The reels they sent in will match nicely with the rods from Orvis. Jerry of Missouri also donated two rods with reels and spare spools.

Contributions from the Missouri River Fly Fishers.

     For those who want to donate gear to the club, just click on the link above or send the club an e-mail.  Don't forget to sign  the guest book.

      For those in country - send me your fishing pictures and a story if you've got one you'd like to share.

     Thanksgiving weekend was a good one for those who got out on the water.  I have not heard much about the fishing in the past couple weeks.  I think many service members were home for their two weeks of Rest and Recuperation (R&R). Ken Bergmann with Combat Camera has been using the long rod on the water with good success. Ken's even created a fly he calls "Asp Crack" and seems to be doing quite well with it.

   

Ken's asp. That last one is a beaut!


This is Ken's Asp Crack

     This has been an important update regarding the future of this club.  With a new President coming in shortly after I post this, it may seem the end is in sight.  However, as long as there is a single Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine in Baghdad who wants to fish, the club will remain active.  I'll close out this update with a request for the guys on the ground to keep the pictures and stories coming in.

Fish on! Joel

ASSOCIATES

SUPPORTERS

Rick Pope Dallas, TX

Ed Laine Charlotte, NC 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 Dryden, 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 Charlotte, NC

Jerry Brumfield Parkesburg, PA

Michael Rury Salisbury Mills, NY

Jesse Riding Logan, UT

Eric Bridge Ashburn, VA

Huxley H. Conklin Warsaw, VA

Jon Stanberry 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

Baghdad Time & Temp