Welcome to the Baghdad Angler's Club and School of Fly Fishing's homepage, enjoy!

"Updated October 19, 2008"

If you are stationed in Iraq - Send me pictures of your fish and I'll put them in the gallery. There are some great stories out there, please share 'em!

If you don't know about Project Healing Waters, you owe it to yourself and our wounded Veterans to check out the link below:

October 12th, 2008

     Hello all,
         Two months have passed since I last posted an update. My lack of productivity has not been for lack of activity in Baghdad. I've been caught up with other projects and neglected this one. Please accept my apology.  One exciting new development since my last update, is the guys up on Camp Taji have been catching fish.  I will be sending some more equipment up their way.
     That said, thanks to all who have sent in supplies and equipment - it is allowing Soldiers beyond Camp Victory to get on the water. Scott did mention they don't have enough fly rods. They have several reels but no rods. I'll be working to round up some seven weight rods to balance out their gear locker. As always, if anyone wishes donate, just click on the link above or send me an e-mail.  The guest book feature is working after yet again another glitch, so sign in if you'd like.

     Folks continue to send in pictures, here is a batch of the latest.

   
These pictures are from SFC Todd Smith out on Camp Taji - the first pictures we've gotten from that FOB. They've a small pond there with lots of fish.

   
SFC Rusty Johnston, also at Camp Taji, sent in these pictures - nice fish on that little spincast outfit.

   
Jim Cisco sent in more Camp Taji Fish, seems we have a new "Honey Hole" in Iraq!


SSG Nick Baer shows off his first fish in Iraq - a nice asp.
Nick's Dad wrote to us a while back, hoping his son would find some time on the water.
I am sure Dad is even more proud of that fish than Nick!

   
SGT Cole Harvey sent in this picture of his 28in Wels catfish and SGT Winebarger with a barb.
He says he will have more pictures to add now that he found the site and he will definitely take better pictures.
Keep 'em coming!


Robert Pence wanted to share this photo of a shaboot he caught using a DATE over on Camp Slayer.
The other guys in the photo decided to keep the fish for dinner.

   
COL Rolando Castro shared these pictures of carp and shaboot he caught out of Al Faw Lake.

   
   
   
   
Maj Jose Lopez has squeezed as much fishing into his very hectic schedule as he can.
He checked out some fly gear from Scott and got some buddies on the water.
Nice going Jose, keep the pictures coming!

   
Not to leave the Air Force out, CPT Scott Washburn sent in these pictures of an asp he caught.


   
Finally, PFC Nguyen sent in shots of this Big Head Carp (Aristichthys nobilis).  This is first picture of this species this forum.
Nice fish! I tried very hard to catch one when I was there and failed. You've raised the bar.

Thank you to all who are supporting this endeavor with donations.  Many of the pictures above would not have been possible if it were not for your generosity.  The troops always try to get pictures, but they aren't always successful, so many, many more fish are caught besides those shown here.  Recent contributions have come in from Texas, Wyoming and Indiana. Jerry Koons sent over a bunch of supplies, pictured below.   The contributions came from the Indianapolis Fly Casters, Wildcat Creek Outfitters in Zionsville IN and the Orvis Store in Carmel IN.  Scott has already put them into service.  Again, thanks to all!

In other events, Nick Spangler recently wrote an article for the Miami Herald on the fishing club. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/story/675431.html

     That's it for this update.  I'll work harder to keep them more frequent.

Fish on! Joel

Again, don't forget to checkout Project Healing Waters, it is worth your time.

Another group of Soldiers that get out on the water when they aren't wearing
Army Green is Army Bass Anglers. Their website is below, see what you think.

Don't forget to check our the rest of our sponsors - we couldn't do this without them.
BAC&SFF Sponsors

If you haven't seen it, the clip below from FOX news shows our guys in action.

Fox News Story on Operation Catch Fish

Baghdad Time & Temp