Happy Memorial Day!

This writer grew up in 1960s with my father, like so many others of his generation, being a proud veteran. It was much later in my life when it really sunk in for me just how powerful the impact was on those men serving during a worldwide conflict. Many times, while growing up, a car would pull up in front of my house and a man would ask if John Roche lived there. It would be someone who served in the 357th Air Force Fighter Group. Those men believed that they had won the war because the P51 Mustang fighter plane that some flew, some maintained, and some like my father served as armorers for was the first fighter plane with a long enough range to fly from the airfields in England with the long-range bombers and accompany and protect them all the way to targets in Germany. Being able to bomb targets like the factories that produced military products and munitions was certainly a very important factor in the victory by the Allies in Europe.

Each year, on Memorial Day, there is a chance to honor all those who served in World War II and all wars and the passion stirred by Americans who survived that war clearly shaped me and those growing up in that era. Time changes everything and the military conflicts since World War II, including the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the war in Afghanistan have all made a difference in the lives of those who have stepped up to serve their country. Please take some time to reflect this weekend on the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and to all who chose to serve.

Next week, the Silverado will be heading north to the Rangeley region of Maine. The destination is Lakewood Camps, one of the original sporting camps where during the late 19th century the families of the wealthy in New York, Boston and Philadelphia would “summer” to escape the oppressive heat of those cities. During that “Gilded Age,” the railroad was extended north, reflecting the influence of those wealthy individuals and their families who would fish and enjoy the great outdoors of Maine. In Rangeley, the Outdoor Heritage Museum features exhibits on the camps and the people who made that region the center of fly-fishing and so much more.

Lakewood Camps have been operating as a full-time sporting camp since 1853. Fishing focuses on Upper and Lower Richardson Lake and the Rapid River, and all are renowned for big native brook trout and landlocked salmon. My fly-fishing co-conspirators on this adventure will be my high school friend and classmate Clay Morin, and his neighbor in Essex, Massachusetts, Paul Rullo. Paul has become a good friend since we met during my guiding years in New York and we have hunted and fished together on multiple occasions. Most fishermen who stay at Lakewood are picked up in a boat and brought to the cabins, which are much like they were back in the day. The alternative is a 45-minute drive on a logging road to the gated Lakewood property. We are up in the air as to which entry we will use but we are looking forward to the fishing.

Most of my trips have been hunting rather than fly-fishing and packing has taken some thought and action. The action was ordering a new fly rod to replace the nine-foot four-weight Albright fly rod purchased from Rodney Flagg years ago. The new rod is a Redington ordered from Cabela’s. Also ordered were two new fly reels and two new lines, one floating and one sink tip. Some time has been spent going through my flies and looking for patterns that should produce. My usual practice is to visit a local fly shop and buy what they recommend. Waders, fly vest, net and sunglasses are on the list and over the years there has been an accumulation of “stuff” associated with fly fishing. There is still a week to get my gear in order.

Meanwhile, this old body has been rehabbed and after nine sessions with Athol Memorial’s physical therapy staff, we can do most of the things that the mysterious symptoms after my cardioversion took away and my right shoulder is functioning with normal range of motion and without pain, finally. That shoulder has performed as it should fly casting, paddling a canoe, mowing the lawn and shooting a turkey so it looks like I have my life back. Too often , when those of us with lots of candles on our birthday cakes get together, the conversation is dominated by what ails us. That is not what yours truly wants to talk about going forward. So, I would like to once again thank the professionals at Athol Hospital who provided me with excellent treatment and also thank the readers who inquired about my recovery. Summer is here so full speed ahead!

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.