Army of Fish Bums – A Message from Soldiers in Iraq

From: MAJ Chip Giles

I received the box of t-shirts and videos you sent over. Hooah! Man, that fishing trip in Patagonia was great! I only wish I could make the same trip. I actually enjoyed the deleted footage as much as the regular movie.

I am looking forward to watching the Kiwi Camo video next.

The photo attached is me, (handsome devil on the left), and LTC Paul Huszar. He was my boss earlier in the deployment. We have spent a good bit of time B.S.ing about fly fishing as a momentary diversion to the days. LTC Huszar is the Operations Officer in the 20th Engineer Brigade (Airborne). I am the Construction Operations Officer in the 1203D Engineer Battalion. We are part of a group of Great Americans that are building things all across a good portion of Iraq and making good things happen.

I am seeking out the other trout bums here who will enjoy the swag. I will make sure the videos and t-shirts get in the right hands.

We appreciate your kindness and generosity. I hope you will pass this on to all who are involved in your projects.

Best of luck,

MAJ Chip Giles

From: LTC Paul Huszar, P.E.

Thanks so much for thinking of us!!! I am truly looking forward to the videos – exactly what the doctor ordered. I’m on month 8 of 15 months deployed in Iraq (second tour, also) running 16 hour days with a half day off on Sundays and can’t wait to make some time to watch the videos.

I’m an avid angler after my father-in-law made a rod for me nearly ten years ago, taught myself through great pain and suffering the first several months, then hit Yellowstone in route to a temporary duty station driving across country. Hired a guide and life has not been the same since. My father-in-law and I have now become great fishing buddies and every summer since then (when I’m not deployed) we take a family vacation to a fly-fishing destination.

We hit Vermont and the Battenkill this past summer before I deployed and have done Yellowstone, hiked into Yosemite, northern California near Tahoe, northern New Mexico, North Carolina mountains, and a few others – a true passion and great stress relief from Army life in the middle of a crystal clear stream. Only my wife and kids can excite me as much as a good rise on a dry fly!

Thanks again, truly! I certainly appreciate the gesture of support.

Most sincerely,

LTC Paul Huszar, P.E.


AEG Media is an adventure media company based in Merlin, OR whose enterprise includes an annual film tour event and feature films. We believe in catch and release and are avid members of 1% For The Planet, AFFTA, Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers. Our mission is to revolutionize the world of fly-fishing one epic adventure at a time.