Author: Bill Howell

A new scheme to provide a day’s fishing for soldiers was launched at Avon Springs Fisheries in Durrington, Wiltshire, on 16 June 2010.

The scheme allows service personnel from the three armed forces, whether fit or injured, to experience the relaxation and stress-free environment fishing provides.

Fishing for Forces was the brainchild of Bill Howell and Christopher Robinson who, having read a letter in angling magazine Trout & Salmon from a soldier in Afghanistan enthusing about the therapeutic benefits of being by the water fishing, decided they should try and offer fishing days to all service personnel returning from Ops.

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.”

A reel treat

Bill explained: “When Christopher replied to the letter, inviting Lt Davis for a day’s fishing when he got back, I thought that’s a really nice idea. Why don’t we try and extend it to everybody? Especially those who have sacrificed a part of their body, or a part of their mind.

“And, fishing and the waterside has always been a very theraputic aid to people recovering from all kinds of illnesses or injury.”

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.

The trout farm was hired for the day by keen local fisherman Jim Steele, who wanted to share his passion for fishing with the soldiers, some of whom have only returned to the UK in the past six weeks.

A new experience

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, serves with the Reconnaissance Platoon. They handed over to 40 Commando (Royal Marines), in the deadliest part of Helmand province, in April.

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.”

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

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.

‘I wanted to come fishing because it’s relaxing’

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.

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.

“We heard about the fishing day through our boss and thought it would be a good day out. I wanted to come fishing because it’s relaxing and something enjoyable,” he said. “I have fished before, but not since I was a lad.”

Willie, whose parents live in Kirriemuir, Angus, was the first Trojan operator in Helmand province. The Trojan and Python mine-clearing equipment was used in Afghanistan during Op MOSHTARAK and it was Willie and his colleagues who used the machine to clear vast swathes of Helmand countryside of bombs.

‘We’ve got some fishing not too far away’

Bill said: “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.”

Major 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.

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 Bill Howell – for equipment donations and soldier sponsorship – on 020 7385 2135 email: [email protected]