The Coosa Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have the 8th Annual Fly Fishing for Vets’ Day on Saturday, July 18th at Rolater Park in Cave Spring. The event is open to all veterans of all ages as well as active military and the only requirement is that the angler has a fishing license and a trout stamp.

This is the only time during the year that an adult can fish legally in the pond at Cave Spring and the adult must be a veteran or active member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The pond will still have a good number of fish left over from the Kids’  Fishing Day on June 20th and Veterans will be able to fish the creek and the pond during this event from 10am until Noon. Any legal fishing method will be allowed in the creek but the pond will be dedicated to fly fishing only.

Several years ago, the Coosa Valley Chapter became part of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. The program dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. CVCTU became part of Project Healing Waters because we want to honor, and give back to those who have dedicated parts of their lives to protect our country. We want to share our love of the out of doors with these military men and women and hope that they will come to enjoy fishing as much as we do.

We know that many of those attending may never have fly fished before or may have very little experience but we are prepared to give hands on instructions at many levels from basic to advanced casting. We will have loaner rods and instructors ready and willing to help those that want to learn to fly fish or need help improving their technique.

You might ask, why fly fishing as opposed to just fishing. Fly fishing requires a little timing and rhythm and enough open space to cast. An angler has to focus on not only the cast, but the water and its movement, possible locations of fish, and the obstacles that can be in the way of a good cast. Fly fishing can be compared to hunting or stalking a prey. Being able to get a fly close to a fish without disturbing it, and making the presentation so that the fish will want to strike the fly and not run from it are at the reasons for making the perfect cast. The result of doing all of the above is that the angler focuses so intently on what is going on that all the problems that have been on the anglers shoulders just seem to disappear.

The folks at Coosa Valley Trout Unlimited hope that we have a great turn out for 8th Annual event. We will have free food and soft drinks for veterans and members of the active military. There will be door prizes and the angler must register to be eligible.

We hope to have another good turnout. Our TU volunteers will be at Rolater Park in Cave Spring beginning about 8:30 Saturday morning, July 18th. The event kicks off at 10am and will last 'till Noon. This will happen rain or shine. If you know a veteran that would like an opportunity to catch trout on a fly rod, meet some folks that love the outdoors, and want to share the fishing passion with our military heroes, please tell them about it.