By John N. Felsher
Water cascading down from the mountains frothed white as it topped numerous stones in the river, contrasting with the shadows created by the overhanging trees of the forest. The powerful current made even the most experienced and fit sportsmen move with caution when wading in the swift stream.
A gentleman in his 90s sat in a wheelchair, waiting patiently, as two younger men standing in the water prepared a small raft made of two inflatable pontoons. The younger men helped the older gentleman get on a floating chair attached to the metal frame on a plywood deck between the pontoons. Then, one man guided the raft in the river so the older gentleman could cast his fly rod. Although the older gentleman could no longer walk, he once marched and fought in Korea more than seven decades ago.
Comprised primarily of fellow veterans, Veterans Flyfishing, Inc. has been taking other veterans fishing for fellowship and healing since 2012. Everyone who fights in a war suffers wounds, but the most insidious wounds cannot be seen. Many people always carry those mental wounds for life.
“We bring veterans out to fish,” explained Dr. John Mauldin, president of Veterans Fly Fishing, an Army Vietnam War veteran and a psychologist. “It’s amazing to watch how people arrive tentative and anxious. Many have never touched a fly rod before. By the end of the day, they are all grinning and showing everyone else photos of their fish.”
Twice a month, the owners of the Montaluce Winery (www.montaluce.com) in Dahlonega, Ga., allow the organization to bring veterans fishing on a private stretch of the Etowah River. The organization pairs each veteran with a guide, most veterans themselves. After fishing all morning, everyone gathers for lunch on the winery grounds.
“We bring veterans out here to let them enjoy the outdoors, being around other veterans and catching fish, but it’s really not about the fishing,” Mauldin remarked. “It’s about accepting those veterans so they relax. It’s very much a healing process. Some people told us that they were thinking about doing bad things, but their time here helped them get through that difficult time. It’s not group therapy, but it is therapeutic.”
The vets pay nothing for the experience, but each one already paid enormously for everyone in this country. Sponsors, such as Cabela’s, provide waders, fly rods, and other equipment. Not just combat veterans, but any active-duty person or vet can participate.
Whether someone served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq or Nebraska, vets can bond better with other vets. Even vets who never experienced combat can still relate to other vets through shared experiences of military life, something those who never served cannot understand. Regardless of their fishing experience, or lack of it, guides pair with each guest for a one-on-one experience. Some people who first participated as guests with little or no fishing knowledge now guide others.
“We teach them the sport we all love so much,” commented Kyle Cone, an Iraq War Marine Corps veteran who now guides for Bowman Fly Fishing and others. “If someone signed up to put their lives on the line for the country, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, this is the least we can do to pay them back for their service. We have seen this program work wonders.”
The Etowah River rises northwest of Dahlonega and flows 164 miles through northern Georgia. The state periodically stocks trout in the river, but it also holds wild trout naturally spawned in the stream. Current flowing over rocks and riffles produces abundant dissolved oxygen in the water. That allows trout to breathe and gives them ample cover.
“The Etowah River has some big rainbow trout,” Cone advised. “It’s fly fishing only, all catch-and-release with barbless hooks, in this section of the river. One of my clients caught a 28-inch rainbow. It probably weighed about six pounds. The river has great habitat, abundant food, and a good variety of foods for trout to eat.”
Amicalola Creek, another great trout stream, flows into the Etowah. The state heavily stocks parts of this stream. Some sections only permit catch-and-release for trout so fish can grow to trophy sizes. The creek flows over Amicalola Falls in the state park that bears its name in Dawsonville.
“Amicalola Falls cascades 729 feet,” detailed Lori VanSickle, director of Sales and Marketing for Amicalola Falls State Park (706-344-1500, AmicalolaFallslodge.com). “It’s the highest waterfall in Georgia and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. At the bottom of the waterfall is a reflection pond stocked with trout. People can go right up to it, so it has easy access even for people with mobility issues. The park is one of the most visited in Georgia.”
Within a reasonable drive from Dawsonville, anglers can find many other trout streams. Numerous streams in the Chattahoochee National Forest produce wild rainbows, browns, and a few brook trout at higher elevations. The Soque River, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River, produces some very large trout.
“The best fishing on the Amicalola is downstream from the park at the Highway 53 bridge,” reported Daniel Bowman with Bowman Fly Fishing (706-963-0435, Bowmanflyfishing.com).
”That area has good public access. Cooper’s Creek is a great creek close to Dawsonville. The state does a lot of stocking of rainbows and browns, but it has a lot of natural reproduction. Rock Creek is another one with a federal fish hatchery on it. Cooper’s Creek and Rock Creek flow into the Toccoa River. Wildcat Creek near Big Canoe is another good stream stocked with rainbow trout.”
Area visitors might want to stay in the state park lodge just eight miles from the Appalachian Trail. The hotel-like lodge offers a full-service restaurant with a great view of the mountains, conference room, and other amenities. Visitors can also rent cabins or camp, including five “glamping” sites. While staying at the park, try the zipline or throw a tomahawk.
For more information on Veterans Fly Fishing or to make a donation, see veteransflyfishing.org or call 706-402-3525.
