Members of the Invicta Fly Fishing Club of Cambridge, in conjunction with the charity Fishing For Forces, organised and held on 23rd June a trout fishing day for forces personnel returning from Afghanistan and other postings around the world where British forces are present. Not a charity day but a “well done lads and thank you” day.
The event was held at Elinor trout fishery, kindly assisted by the fishery proprietor (himself no novice at fly fishing… Ed Foster, Captain of the England Fly Fishing team).
Members of Invicta FFC and Fishing for Forces guests after a day at Elinor trout fishery.
Each soldier’s day ticket was paid for by an Invicta member, with lunch provided by the club and some generous donors. The day began in heavy driving rain – an unfortunate introduction to any outdoor sport – settling down to an afternoon of gusting winds. After some initial casting instruction some guests, with mentoring Invicta members, spent some time on the bank, whilst some began on the boats with members. With a wind blowing onto the bank which seemed to hold most fish, making casting difficult for inexperienced casters, the afternoon session saw all guests in boats.
Most of the soldiers caught fish, almost all for the first time. Best bag, of 6 trout, was taken by Bdr Jason Palmer, with best fish, approaching 3lbs, being taken by Gunner Ashley McEvoy. Prizes were donated by Fishing For Forces, Invicta FFC and Elinor Fishery.
