Category: 2025

The day started nippy when the mentors arrived at 08.00 to coffee, tea and rolls and they assembled the tackle for the guests but thankfully no rain was left over from the constant deluge the previous night. The guests arrived to a warm welcome with C, T and rolls and once the safety lecture and fishing protocol was delivered and one to one pairing was completed, it was off to the waterside. The weather gods were kind to us as the morning progressed with the high wind dropping and sporadic sunshine brightening the day. The banter started early as did fish coming to the net. Several fish between 4 & 7 lbs came to the net throughout the morning including a superb 6lbs 8ozs Brownie and they were promptly weighed and bagged.

A superb lunch that met with everyone’s approval (I did ask) was served by Stuart and John and the conversation between mentors and guests was mainly on the subject  that “if we tried this or that we may have had more takes”  Numerous questions by the guests on methods and lines and flies were heartening to hear and most were answered with the old motto that fishing is fishing and not catching.

Lunch was followed by presentations to the winners and again there was quite a lot of ribbing, and the atmosphere was superb. A couple of guests who had joined us on previous events had suggestions that we took on board and one of demonstrating how to tie a fly we which will include in the agenda for the events next year. There was also a presentation of generous gifts for each guest from our Sponsor ORSA of Large chocolate bars and very useful water bottles which I am sure will get well used.

Winners of the trophies.

– Biggest fish 6lb 8ozs Pte Jarard Stoddart.  Mentor Neil Mundy

– Biggest Bag (4 Fish) 16lb 8ozs Cpl Natash Jones. Mentor Tim Mundy

– Smallest Fish Tpr Aaron Barton. Mentor Nigel Pavey

I can safely say that every FFF event this year has been a resounding success due to the unstinting support by the Mentors who travel many miles in all weathers to give the guests a truly memorable day as the guests have given their yesterdays for our tomorrows. It is safe to say that without the Mentors the charity would simply not exist.

In the meantime, may I wish all Mentors, supporters and readers, Families and friends the very best of health, wealth and happiness for the Xmas period and a superb 2026.

Bill Howell.
Founder, teaboy and dogsbody.

Excellent pictures courtesy of Mike Edwards.

A superb Carp fishing day mentored by members of SADAC on behalf of FFF with the following review from Andy Stafford the organiser. The smiles say it all!

September 18th at Witherington Farm Fishery just outside Salisbury.

5 members of Forces personnel from the Recovery Program plus 2 support staff (one of whom fished, the other decided to just enjoy the day). The Weather a bit cool to start but mostly sunny later. All guests caught fish, total was around 40 carp, biggest 15lbs. A Huge thanks to Witherington Farm for allowing them to use the water and to the mentors, Nigel Turner, Tony Street, John Slader, Shaun Dodds, Brian Robinson and John Dewberry, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible.

Our sincere thanks to Andy Stafford.

The smiles speak volumes.

Well done, Andy. The FFF Ambassador and event Organiser

The weather gods were kind to us as the temperature during several days leading up to the event was scorching but dropped on the day to a more reasonable and comfortable 22/3 with a nice breeze. Our guests were a nice mix of ladies and gents who were keen to get to the waterside after the scoff of Bacon rolls and coffee upon arrival. Numerous trout were spotted and consistent fly changes and techniques by the mentors had to be made before a take bent a rod.

Once the usual H&S lectures were completed, they were paired with their mentors, and it was not long before fish appeared at the weigh in desk accompanied by huge smiles and lots of questions of how best to cook it. When I replied that it was their lunch and cookery classes were on the agenda the look of amazement was priceless until they realized it was a “Gotcha” and I had to duck a couple of times whilst trying to weigh their fish.

I say modestly that the day was a success as many guests had limit bags of four fish and the banter and smiles from them all throughout the day spoke volumes to me of how the mentors and guests had bonded. Several of the guests were competent casters by the time we broke for lunch and numerous questions were asked by the guests regarding venues and tackle so I am quietly confident we will see a few of them at the waterside in the future.

Biggest Fish of 3lbs went to Sarah Leadbitter. Mentor Tim Mundy.

Biggest Bag of 8lbs 15ozs went to Geordie Fernandez. Mentor Glyn Pirie.

Smallest fish of 2lbs 6ozs went to Andy White. Mentor Geoff Brooks.

A special mention of a superb gift from Geoff Brooks a mentor and the President of St Michael Fly Fishers, a framed drawing for the Mess at Battle Back. It was presented by myself (Geoff regrettably had to leave early) to Daz Crowle (Group leader) and it drew a rapturous round of applause from all. See Pics.

I was also privileged to receive a superb gift (a Desk Tidy) hand made by Geoff for my desk and the picture describes it best and I will certainly treasure it. See Pics.

Again, a vociferous vote of thanks from Daz and the guests for the mentors who accepted it modestly.

Our thanks to the Fishery team who were very supportive and the lunch as usual was excellent.

Our thanks also to Steve Edge Design who generously sponsored this event.

Pictures by Mike Edwards

Bumbling by Bill Howell (Founder)

At times it may seem to the avid reader of our events page (should there be one) that it is a little boring when I keep repeating “another excellent day for the FFF Team” but it is true. After the many years we have been hosting our wounded at the waterside we have a simple formula of keeping everything very relaxed as fly fishing should be, and it works.

Yes, the agenda for the day is the same but as many of the mentors will testify, that each event is different from the last as each group of guests from all branches of HMAF are different so our approach to ensure a good day must be flexible, so we take this into consideration.

I am privileged to say that many of the mentors have supported FFF for a number of years and their skill and experience at communicating with guests shows every time be they a Brigadier or a Private – the pictures taken throughout the day shows this clearly.

I often say that “the smiles say it all” (see pics) and the question that the guests often ask when departing is “when is the next one?”. This fills us all with a certain pride and the feeling that all the time spent organising, time and miles covered by us all to get to the venues has been worthwhile and so it is “mission accomplished”.

It was most pleasing to see several ladies in the group and pleasingly there were a few “natural” casters among the group so hopefully we may see them waterside again soon.

I regularly get enquiries from guests as to where they can fish in their locality and put them in touch with people who will follow up.

Again, the team at Meon Springs did us proud with great fishing and excellent food. In recognition of the superb catering, a mentor Phil Penberthy, engraved a wooden plaque that I was pleased to present on his behalf to Bolly (the chef) on the day. The Fishery team were presented with one similar last month.

Most guests landed at least at least two fish with several getting their limit of four thanks to the skill of the mentors.

BF 3lbs 7ozs. Pte Ireton- Mentor Tim Mundy. BB 11lbs 12ozs. Cpl Magar-Mentor Nigel Pavey. SF 2lbs. Lt Collard- Mentor Robin Odell.

A special thanks must go to Melzie and the team at Victory Trophies who kindly donated the tankards and all the engraving for this event.

My personal thanks also to all mentors and supporters for making another memorable day for our guests and FFF.

See you waterside soon.

Bill Howell

Founder

The Dalkia Day 

The day started well with a nip in the air and all the mentors and guests were warmly welcomed with hot sausage rolls / T&C.

With H&S lecture and fishery protocol completed tackle was dispensed and it was off to the waterside. The fish were sporadic in their appearance, and it became obvious that stalking would be required and over the next few hours it proved very fruitful for several guests with some very large fish coming to the net to be weighed in.

The camaraderie was flowing along with the banter as everyone settled into a comfortable rhythm of cast and retrieve then move a few yards and start again.

By midday the weather had warmed appreciably but the fish still proved very elusive with a quiet spell then an odd one took a fly then another quiet spell. This gave those in the know a good reason to keep on the move as the fish were obviously shoaling. It appeared that if you did not put the fly across their noses, they would not chase it, so the “Stalkers” were busy when they spotted a fish. Frustration levels rose when the fish followed the fly and turned away at the last moment.

I later learned that the fishery team had stocked the previous evening, so it confirmed our thoughts that they were shoaling which often happens after a fish stocking. The fish I mean not the fishery team.

A superb lunch was served with all the usual comments of what we could and should have done but then hindsight is 20-20 and that’s why it is called fishing and not catching.

A few guests regrettably blanked, and their mentors promptly came up with the ususal round of excuses, but the smiles made it obvious a good time was had by all and the praise and thanks from the guests was vociferous.

The Mentors and the Fishery team did a superb and I cannot speak highly enough of them all.

– Biggest Fish of 7lb 5ozs ( A Brownie) went to LCpl Georgina Hide. Mentor Richard Hughes.
– Biggest Bag of 3 Fish@ 16lbs 12ozs went to AB Thomas Brayford. Mentor Neil Mundy.
– Smallest Fish @ 3lbs went to LH Finnian Malone. Mentor. Robin Odell.

Photos by Mike Edward