Soldiers Get Hooked On Fishing for Forces

When Lt Will Davis wrote a letter to an angling magazine he never realised he would start a chain of events to bring about a new scheme offering servicemen and women, recently returned from Afghanistan, the opportunity to enjoy a day’s fishing. Keen fisherman Lt Davis, of the Royal Dragoon Guards, had written to Trout and Salmon magazine from Helmand province enthusing about how fishing kept him inspired while he was on tour because even if he could not physically be near to the water then just by imagining he was enjoying the tranquillity of fishing would make him instantly de-stressed and revived.

That letter was read by Christopher Robinson, ex-soldier and passionate fisherman, and Bill Howell, angler and member of a group called Reel Friends. It struck a chord with Christopher and Bill, and with the help of the magazine’s editor Andrew Flitcroft, Fishing for Forces was born, with the aim of providing a day’s fishing for all service personnel who have been on operations.

Christopher, whose son is currently in Afghanistan, said: “I read Lt Davis’ letter and so I wrote to the magazine saying wouldn’t it be fantastic if people in the UK could give members of our forces some fishing when they got back.

“It’s a wonderful day out, a chance to relax, forget about all the stresses and strains of operations and just have a nice quiet day on the water.”

Co-founder of Fishing for Forces, Bill, explained: “The bottom line is whether they’re in hospital or whether they’re in a base or at home recovering, we’ve got some fishing not too far away. That’s sea fishing, coarse fishing, trout fishing and salmon fishing.

“So, if they can get themselves to the waterside, we’ll happily organise the tackle, some lunch and a wonderful day out.”

The scheme was officially launched on June 16th 2010 at Avon Springs Fisheries in Durrington, Wiltshire. The trout farm was hired for the day by keen local fisherman and Reel Friends member Jim Steele, who wanted to share his passion for fishing with soldiers, some of whom had just returned to the UK.

A number of troops from nearby 26 Engineer Regiment and 4 Rifles came along to enjoy a day relaxing with rod and net by the lakes of the trout farm, which is nestled in the south Wiltshire countryside on the edge of Salisbury Plain.

Avon Springs is South Wiltshire’s best kept secret, with two large lakes surrounded by beautiful landscaped grounds. And, with the River Avon ambling along the edge of the farm, it’s a stark contrast to the hot and high terrain of Helmand province.
Following their induction, the 14 soldiers and their instructors/mentors – all expert anglers – positioned themselves around the lakes. All you could hear was the gentle whipping sound of the rods cutting through the air and the ‘tap’ as the fly hits the water – a far cry from the constant roar of heavy machinery and gunfire on the front line.

Many of the soldiers had never fished before. This was a new experience for them. However, they were all relaxing and enjoying the therapeutic benefits of the fly fishing day. And, with the opportunity to catch a whopper, the lads got into the competitive spirit of the event, too.

During the day a tasty lunch was delivered by the staff at Avon Springs and by the end of the day 11 large trout had been successfully fished, weighed and put on ice. Prizes were awarded for various catches with the largest fish weighing in at a hefty 6lbs 14oz.

Bill Howell, who has provided much of the time and equipment so far, said: “We’ve had offers of fishing from Scotland down to Cornwall and Wales. You name it, we’ve had offers from all over the country.”

Christopher agreed: We’re now getting a lot of support from around the country where people are offering a day’s fishing for soldiers, sometimes just one soldier, sometimes more. The response so far has been very encouraging.”

Maj Derek Saunders, of the Army Personnel Branch that helped co-ordinate the soldiers’ attendance, said:  “Fishing, and in particular fly fishing, is a sport that is puts the angler in beautiful surroundings in all weathers.  The challenge of choosing the correct fly for the right conditions, selecting where to present the fly on the water to attract a game fish requires focused attention.

“However, once a fish is hooked the situation becomes an exciting battle between the fish and the angler in which sometimes the angler will lose.  The result is a period spent in a way that, to put it simply, is the best stress buster going.  And that’s great for those who have returned from Ops.

“Many fisheries now have facilities for disabled, so there is scope for injured personnel also.  The other benefit is, of course, that you can eat your catch that evening”.

Get In Touch
The organisers aim to bring together fishing locations around the UK with sponsors, instructors and equipment suppliers to enable soldiers from the three services, whether fit or injured, to enjoy fishing at a location near to where they are based.

Anyone who is able to help Fishing for Forces by donating equipment, offering a venue, or sponsoring a soldier for a day’s fishing is invited to contact Christopher Robinson on 01488 689 701. Email: fishingforforces@roxtons.com

Here’s what three of the participants had to say:

Lance Corporal Mark Zareh
Lance Corporal Mark Zareh (22), ‘Jock’ to his mates, who is a member of Support Company, Reconnaissance Platoon, 4 Rifles, took to fly fishing like it was second nature. He was soon casting one-handed, a rare ability in someone so new to the sport.

Jock, who grew up Glasgow and whose parents live near Hungerford, serves with the Reconnaissance Platoon. They handed over to 40 Commando (Royal Marines), in the deadliest part of Helmand province, in April.

He took to fly fishing like a duck to water. He said: I walked into work one day and my platoon serjeant said ‘who wants to go fishing?’ So me and Rifleman Butt put our hands up for it and that’s how come we are here today.

“The only experience I’ve had fishing before this was doing a bit of salt water fishing for pleasure. I’m getting the hang of this fly fishing and I really like it.”

Having done a tour of Iraq and one in Afghanistan, Jock reflects on his front-line role. “It makes you feel really proud to be part of the Colonel’s Platoon,” he says. “When the Colonel asks you to do a patrol, you know you’re doing it because he’s asked you, and that makes you feel very proud.”

The former labourer who joined the Army in 2006 had a message for the troops training for the next deployment: “I really want to say good luck to all the lads who are going out in the future.”

During his “Brilliant” day by the river, Jock managed to catch a 4lb trout.

Sapper William Morgan
Sapper William Morgan (22), ‘Willie’ to his mates, is a member of 30 Squadron 4 Armoured Troop, 26 Engineer Regiment. He was very enthusiastic about his first experience of fly fishing.

Willie, whose parents live in Kirriemuir, Angus, was the first Trojan operator in Helmand province. The Trojan and Python mine-clearing vehicle was used in Afghanistan during Operation MOSHTARAK, and it was Willie and his colleagues who dispatched the powerful bomb disposal elements to clear vast swathes of Helmand countryside of IEDs.

The lakeside in Durrington was a far cry from the dusty plains of Helmand province and Willie relished the opportunity to relax by the water.

“We heard about the scheme through our boss and thought it would be a good day out. I wanted to come fishing because it’s relaxing and something enjoyable.

“I have fished before, but not since I was a lad.”

Sapper Stephen Finn
Sapper Stephen Finn (19), ‘Finny’ to his mates, serves with 30 Armoured Engineer Squadron, 26 Engineer Regiment.

Finny, who hails from Leeds but currently lives in Swindon with fiancé Kirsty, said: “My troop leader said I should come fishing. I have done a bit of fishing when I was 11 but nothing since.

“It could be my new hobby. It’s very relaxing, good fun and I’m enjoying it so far.”