In-Memorium

On December 15, 2021, the club lost a founding member of Antietam Fly Anglers, Bob Abraham. Bob enlisted in service to our country during the Korean War and served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Security Agency. During his time of service, Bob was also a member of the All-American rifle team, and later helped establish a rifle team for the U.S. Army Reserves.

Following his career in the military, Bob worked 30 years for the State of Maryland as a game warden, with fisheries and wildlife and later in public relations for the Department of Natural Resources. Following retirement from the DNR, Bob continued his passions for the outdoors as a Potomac River fly fishing guide and had the honor, and received recognition, for serving as a fishing guide for Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush.

Bob’s life was devoted to education of youth having served for over 50 years as a mentor in the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock (BOJC), by serving as the Director of Education for many years, and as a past president of the BOJC. He was a proud supporter of Project Healing Waters and had a standing relationship with the military support staff at Camp David until his passing this week.

Bob was also a devoted conservationist, most notably the first advocate for catch & release ethic for the Big Hunting Creek fishery, and a proponent for fresh water fisheries and stream management in and beyond the Catoctin Mountains.

Bob Abraham was a devoted father and husband, military veteran, educator of our youth, conservationist (and guardian of our natural resources), and a dear friend to all who knew him. He taught club members how to fly fish, supported our Fly Casters’ Rendezvous, including sharing his fly tying knowledge with the club. Of note was his “Ketchup and Mustard Fly” for shad (see picture) which he shared with club members, as well as sharing his and Barbara’s property that he let us use for club picnics. Several years ago, In his honor, we named our fly casting club after him, The Bob Abraham Fly Casting Club. He will be sorely missed.

For those seeking to honor Bob, memorial contributions may be made to

• Project Healing Waters, P.O. Box 695 LaPlata, MD 20646, or
• Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock, 6310 Howard Lane, Elkridge, MD 21075