As anglers age, we learn to appreciate those that fished and have passed before us. Legends like Lefty Kreh, Lee Wulff, and so many more left much more than some hook scars on the lips of fish.
In Montana, Dan Bailey, Bud Lilly, and others did the same. They cast the waters and enjoyed fly fishing best. Now we have lost another, Jimmy Carter.
As a young man, I worked for the state of Maryland as a Fishery Biologist Trainee. There is not a watershed in the state that we did not explore when looking for trout. One of the most famous trout streams in Maryland is Hunting Creek. This historic watershed was fished by any and everyone that is a true fly angler.
Hunting Creek is in the Catoctin Mountains, near Camp David. This camp is the private getaway for Presidents. It was on this creek where I fished with President Jimmy Carter. We met while the state of Maryland hatchery was delivering trout to Camp David. I bragged about fishing Hunting Creek and some fly-fishing tips that I knew.
In the late 1970’s, fly fishing was still a relatively small sport.” A River Runs Through It “had not been made into a movie and most sports fished warm water species in Maryland. Hunting Creek was not easy fishing. It was one of the few fisheries labeled for Fly Fishing Only.
As a young guide, I met Mr. Carter, and his wife just above Camp Penille. There was a section of water full of HUGE Brook trout. These beer belly brookies were stocked fish, and rarely would bite. They just finned in one spot and laughed at every pattern that you would throw at them.
The Presidential convoy pulled up and dismounted. Black Lincoln Continentals were the SUV of the day. Two were full of secret service and Jimmy and Rosalynn were in the third.
President Carter looked like any other fly guy of the day, which was just getting started in the sport. His gear was expensive. An Orvis bamboo rod with a Pfleuger reel. Surprisingly, he had less than a couple dozen flies in just one fly box. That was ok since I was stocked, and loaded to the max. I called him “Mr. Carter”, like my parents taught me.
Rosalynn sat on a rock near where we fished. There was nothing pretentious about the day other than the Secret Service guys armed with Uzi’s under their long coats. The Big Fat Brookies lay in the pool that I named Brookie Basin.
No one used strike indicators back in that time. There were no yarn, foam, or bubbles. I was playing with Balsa Wood that served as a strike indicator. It allowed me to drift a small nymph perfectly and see even the lightest bite. The balsa stick would stand up when the fish hit. It was hard to cast and needed constant adjustment, but it really worked.
President Carter was a good caster and laid the small Hares Ear nymph as I directed. It went between 2 fat Brookies. When the stick indicator went up so did the Presidents rod. He was into an 18-inch Brook trout. Rosalynn and the Secret Service men were all cheering when I netted his catch. It was just fishing.
Mr. Carter may have been a better fly angler than he was as President. His political legacy was lacking but he loved to fish. As a Humanitarian, and a man, there were few that could compete with his legacy.
At the age of 100, Mr. Carter sure left a great legacy. I am sure that trout fishing is great under the Rainbow Bridge to heaven. Rosalynn is sitting on a flat rock nearby enjoying her husband catching trout!
“Start the Day Smarter. Learn what you need to learn to be your best!” This was something he said when we fished as he asked questions about how to fly fish. These words have become part of my banter when talking with my friends, family, and students. I wonder when the last time Mr. carter went fly fishing.
Be Your Best!
Montana Grant
