Last year, Noel Bing of the illustrious 23rd Company had the daring idea to get a group of Company relics together for a fly fishing expedition to Creede, CO, altitude 8,000 feet, and known worldwide to have boundless trout waiting to be lured by artificial insect delicacies with miniscule hooks. Seven of us, attired in rubber farm overalls, waded on slippery rocks in freezing water, casting nymphs, justifying why we were willing to fly cross country and then drive hours to reach the place.
Although there were many claims by the group that a fish was caught, the 23rd Company 2006 inaugural fly-fishing expeditionary force produced no credible photographic evidence of a single fish of any size or description.
Undeterred, Steve Hoy organized a second annual expedition that took place in late June of this year. He amassed a force of nine men from the 23rd whose mission was to redeem the reputation of the Company, as least as far as fishing is concerned. In addition to Steve, the august group included Vern Von Sydow, Bill Bradford, Dick Ortwein, Sherwood Zimmerman, Niles Iannone, Mike Krause, Steve Leisge, and Harry Hirsch. We assembled at Fort Smith, MT, home of the Big Horn Trout Shop.
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The Great Montana Fly Fishing Adventure
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Steve's approach was to pair each inexperienced fly fisherman with a more inexperienced fly fisherman. However, unlike last year, when the participants relied upon their inherent masculine "provider" instincts, this year each pair of fishermen would be accompanied by a guide to improve the chances of a more favorable outcome.
For three days we spent 8 - 10 hours on the water pursuing the big one. The Big Horn River, clean and vibrant, is one of the best trout streams in the lower 48 and can be fished year round. We fished the 13-mile stretch from the Afterbay Dam to the Bighorn Access Site, where the creel survey shows 7,000 fish per mile. It would be conservative to say that the average catch of each novice over the three-day period was 75 trout. There were times when so many fish were caught in such a short span you could barely hold your arm up. We all caught trout around 20 inches or more in length. The fish were absolutely beautiful. The rainbow trout have beautiful rose and silver metallic stripes and the browns have translucent red spots. They are nature at its best: healthy, beautiful specimens and a thrill to catch and release.
We all agreed that fishing the Big Horn was an experience we will long remember. The best part was being together, the camaraderie, the laughter, the ribbing, the memories of our youth, the commonality we all share from having gone to the Academy so many years ago and our service in the military. We have taken different and varied paths, but what a joy it is to see life go "full circle." Thanks to Steve Hoy, the 23rd has redeemed itself, and we had a great time together.
This update was triggered by a morning spent sailing on NAVY 44 VIGILANT with a few grads and a group of Rising Youngsters (read Plebes) who have not yet finished their summer activities and come back to the Academy to view the Chapel Dome. Just spending a couple of hours with these fine young men and women out on San Francisco Bay was a wonderful event and inspiring to see the people we have following our footsteps. Since I sailed for all four years at school, being back on a 44 after 44 years was more than personally fulfilling -- it felt very comfortable and I didn't trip over anything and I didn't fall overboard!
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Penny and George Singer
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Penny Singer and the Midshipmen crew in San Francisco Bay
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Penny and I have bounced around since 2000 to Southern California, Memphis, Denver, Northern California, Fenton, MI, back to Denver, then, finally San Francisco. Some of the trip has been good, some not so good. In all of this time I have probably become the most metallic member of the class. I have two hips and three stents plus a lengthwise wrap of platinum wire from neck to belly (result of a quad bypass in 1999). That said, we are back to playing golf, taking care of my 92 year old in-laws, whom we moved here last September, working, and enjoying life in one of the great cities in the world.
My stepson, Gary, graduated from USAFA in 1988, spent seven years active and has been working for a 1963 USAFA grad, Bill Wecker, since '95 in Novato, CA as a mathematical and ops analysis consultant. He and Melissa have four children aged from 17 to 3. My son Mat graduated from Iowa State and is the Director of Operations for a large medical supply chain management company in Broomfield, CO. He and Jennifer have three children, aged from 9 to 3. Daughter Raleigh graduated from Purdue and has her law degree from U of Chicago/Quinnipiac and is practicing in Illinois. She and Bill (former Marine Captain and current Supervisor, Sky Marshals Service) have a son, 3. Great family and all doing exceptionally well.
I started a new Division for an established company last year here in SF. We sell software, civil, and geospatial engineering services. I have established tech partners in India, China, Malaysia, Ukraine, and Vietnam and we are finally getting going with some momentum.
We don't have any room in our typical SF apartment, but would love to see anyone coming through SF. Contact info is: 265 N Point St, Apt 206, San Francisco, CA 94133; 415-956-9460; 415-515-5036 (cell); geosinger63@comcast.net.
