Yellow Breeches – Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
17 May 2008
After a considerable amount of planning by the Cumberland Valley Chapter of TU, our group of soldiers, an airmen (actually a woman), and a marine arrived at the Yellow Breeches Outfitters in Boiling Springs Saturday morning. The weather gods had not been kind that week, and although the skies on Saturday would remain friendly, the rain that had been impressive that week had left the Yellow Breeches high and more than a little off color. Not to be discouraged, however, our group, and the volunteers from CVCTU, quickly sorted out the directions to the river, and we eagerly proceeded to our spot on the Yellow Breeches – a secluded and private stretch of the river behind one of the volunteer’s home. Our wounded warrior group consisting of Eivind Forseth, Diane Lopes, Sgt. Irish, Keith Pace, Greg Cartier, Jack “Pappy” Cormack, David Walker, Michael Ornelas (and Shelly), Brian Mancini ( and Ashley), Ferris Butler, and Bill Johnston. RC Jones, Philip Krista, and yours truly accompanied.
While the rest of the group was getting set up on the river to fish, I got 1LT Greg Cartier aside and gave him a quick casting lesson – his first, since he was new to all of this. Greg soon got the hang of it, and we joined the rest of the party on the river. Our participants were already fishing and, with the help of the volunteers from the TU Chapter, were starting to catch fish. Although slow going at first, David Walker got into a few, and soon the “fish-on” cry was echoing down the river. It seems, though, that most of the “fish-on” calls were coming from Brian Mancini, who, was landing one-after-another. As the day wore on, Brian’s magic nymph garnered more and more attention, and the bids to purchase were getting higher and higher. It appears that this particular nymph was given to him by his partner guide at the recent 2-Fly Tournament, Chris Rowland, and it was one-of-a-kind on the Yellow Breeches.
By the time all the tales were told over the wonderful cook-out provided us, Brian had captured the fly fishing honors for the day, although David had his fish to talk about, as did Sgt. Irish, who caught his first brown, along with a nice brookie. The day concluded with expressions of thanks for a superb fishing experience. We are particular appreciative and thankful for a day spent on the Yellow Breeches, one of Pennsylvania’s more fabled trout streams, and the friendship and efforts of the Cumberland Valley TU Chapter. A special thanks, in particular, to Bob Thompson for handling all the arrangements and bringing usall together.
