European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 6, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                S4s Gus Sci fewer at left an Angler s Fly Rod bends As he prepares to land a fish near Doos West Germany below removing the Fly from a Brook Trout caught near bad Tsche Austria seeking converts to Fly fishing army chaplain helps establish clubs. And so for soldiers trips we would take our soldiers to Alaska fishing and Canoe trips Quot he recalls. Some of his fondest memories Are of fishing in Europe the Limestone streams of upper Bavaria the fighting rainbows and Browns of the Deutscher Traun South of Munich the big Grayling of the Danube. Samples has worked hard to make More service members aware of the great fishing opportunities on  of the Atlantic. He laments the fact that Many americans new to Europe Are under the mistaken impression that Quot you can t fish Here it s too  the opposite is True he says. Quot Here we Are in Central Europe and believe it or not we re within hours drive of the Best fishing in All of Europe Quot he says. Quot you get a couple of people together and you split your costs or you Camp out people from America pay a couple of thousand dollars to fish Here and to and behold we can do it for minimal  As part of his efforts on behalf of service members samples was the of driving Force a behind the creation of two German american fishing dubs the bavarian Fly Fishers in Bamberg and the heartland Fly Fishers in Giessen. Both Are associated with the federation of Fly Fishers. The bavarian Fly Fishers established in january 1988, was the first club. Quot we formed that club. Out of the interest of our soldiers As much As anything Quot he says. Quot some of the soldiers in our battalion said they enjoyed fishing. They would like to gather together and Havi Kome Type of format of going on trips . Samples who had recently completed a German Fly fishing course told them he thought a dub format would work Best and the group began setting up a formal organization. Soon the dub was attracting interest among germans some of them big name fishermen. Quot Here we were just a fledgling Type group of soldiers and we had some of the most noted personalities in the Fly fishing world showing up on our Doorstep Quot samples says. Through their Contact with germans the americans Learned about new Waters european Angling traditions and some of the flies popular in Europe. In turn they found that the germans were eager to learn american techniques and practices and to hear about fishing in the United states. In comparing the two nationalities samples says europeans Are better casters but americans Are better fishermen because most have experience on a wider variety of Waters. The Success of the Bamberg club prompted samples to helped establish the heartland Fly Fishers after he was transferred Giessen samples says because Many of the Best Waters in Europe Are open Only to Fly fishing the two clubs offer the Best bet for american fishermen in Europe. Quot we know All the Waters we know How to get your tickets on the Waters we know where to go Quot he says people new to Europe can Quot instantly step into a situation where it s All done for you Quot he adds. They also get free instruction in casting Rod building and Fly tying. In addition to fishing together the groups hold regular meetings to socialize and Exchange information. One of the dubs Central functions is teaching beginners. More than half of the new members have never fished with a Fly Rod before. Samples says the development of new technology a Graphite rods and better lines a has made Fly fishing easy. Quot it s not the esoteric sport that it was in the past Quot he says Quot we be had people Start from Zero never having picked up a Fly Rod before and getting out on the River and to and behold catching 10 or 20 fishing in Europe fish in one Day Quot he says. He insists that anyone can learn to Fly fish in a weekend. Samples says fishing used to be a male Domain but now is a family sport. His wife Brenda and their 9-year-old son Jeffrey Are avid Fly fishermen. And his younger son Tyler 4, is already learning to cast. Most club members Are men but women have also joined. Samples says women often Are better students than men because they have a lighter touch. For samples the activities associated with fishing a travel photography the outdoor experience conservation a Are As much a part of the sport As catching fish. But he feels most strongly about the Protection of natural resources. Quot conservation has to be a part of the sport Quot he says. This May include picking up Stream Side litter supporting the preservation of open spaces restocking fishing Waters or encouraging catch and release fishing. The conservation ethic goes hand in hand with samples religious beliefs. Quot this is a world god has Given us in Trust Quot lie says. And it is our duty to leave it Quot a better place than we found  samples Hopes that Many More service members will join the Fly fishing dubs and discover the fishing opportunities opened up by being stationed in Europe. Quot any of our americans can have fishing no matter where they Are in Europe a a whether you re in England or Spain or right Here in Germany. Quot probably within about a 30-minute drive they re. Near a very Good fishing  one of the american Fly fishing magazines advertises a we Klong Trout fishing trip to Yugoslavia. The Price tag is $1,500 to $2,000. Samples says service members stationed Here Tan make the same trip for $300 to $400. To is another fact that supports his Oft repeated opinion Quot there is no better place to be a Fly Fisher than on Active duly in the . Army. Except being on Active duty in the . Air  the i heartland Fly Fishers meet the first wednesday of each month at the Hellas Ruder tub in Giessen West Germany. For More information Call samples at its 343-6703 or c civilian 0641-402-6703. July 6, 1990 stripes Magazine j