VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq — The sun is just beginning to peak over the horizon and the fog is beginning to lift off the water. It is quiet and all you hear are the birds chirping. You cast your line out into the water and quietly wait for a lunker to tug.
For many avid fishermen, serving their country in Iraq by fishing is nothing more than a daydream — something to dwell on briefly, then heave a big sigh and return to the reality of Iraq.
Soldiers stationed at Victory Base Complex have the opportunity to make that daydream a reality. With numerous freshwater canals and ponds dotting the landscape, there are many opportunities for fishing. The pond surrounding the Al Faw Palace is where you can find some of the best fishing.
Anglers will find mostly carp and catfish inhabiting their favorite fishing spots. Local experimenting with bait has shown that beef jerky, cheese, hamburger, and bread balls are all effective baits. Due to the limited species of fish available, artificial lures and soft plastics are not effective baits. A typical bobber, sinker, and hook system is the most preferred method for catching the elusive "Baghdad Carp." The best depth to set the bobber is between two to three feet. The fish do not get very big, so light or ultra light tackle is highly recommended to provide the most exciting fishing experience possible.
With so many Soldiers missing "how they used to live" at home, fishing is an important link to home during their deployed months in Iraq. It also provides Soldiers with a calming sense of normalcy not often found when a Soldier is conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Fishing is an effective way to relieve stress and have a lot of fun all at the same time. Fishing also gives Soldiers the opportunity to be by themselves in a setting where privacy is typically in short supply.
Fishing provides units on VBC opportunities to build morale and esprit de corps. Whether you have a barbecue and fishing event, tournament or even a Bible study — where you can see a chaplain with a Bible in one hand and a fishing pole in the other — opportunities abound to relieve Soldiers' stress and provide a common bond — all with the flick of a wrist and a tug on a line.
| Date Taken: |
06.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: |
06.08.2009 08:34 |
| Story ID: |
34695 |
| Location: |
BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: |
233 |
| Downloads: |
152 |
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