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Local Fisherman Reels in
Prestigious Order of the Hat Award
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Ralph Shires and Bob Order of the hat Caption: Robert Abraham (pictured on left) receives prestigious 'Order of the Hat' Award presented by Ralph
Shires (pictured on right) at a recent Fly Fishers Club of Harrisburg Banquet.
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Hats off to local Foxville resident, Robert W. Abraham, who was the recipient of the prestigious 'Order of the Hat' designation by the Fly Fishers
Club of Harrisburg during their banquet at the Embers Convention Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on April 4. Ralph Shires presented the award which is bestowed every few years to
individuals who have given superb contributions in the areas of fly fishing and conservation. The 'Order of the Hat' is an award from peers for accomplishments achieved as stewards
of conservation, angling and fly fishing.
Past award recipients include fly fishing legends like Charlie Fox - the great angler who started the Fly Fishers Club of Harrisburg; Lefty Kreh - an
icon to millions of anglers as a symbol of America's love for the great outdoors; Vince Marinaro - one of the central figures in the history and development of fly fishing in the
United States; and George Harvey - who was touted as "Dean of Fly Fishing" by many.
Mr. Abraham said, "This is a distinguished honor, a kind of 'Who's Who' of the fishing world that is bestowed by your peers. That's the biggest
honor, being selected by your peers." When he received the award he was caught completely by surprise. Reflecting on that moment he said, "I was speechless. Very seldom am I
speechless. So I told them all, 'I am speechless and all I can say is thank you very much.'"
Robert Abraham was born the son of Andrew Abraham, a fishing guide and Commander in the US Coast Guard. As a young boy, Mr. Abraham walked to school
from Foxville to Thurmont along Big Hunting Creek. He would carry his fishing rod along with his books, hide his tackle and rod under a log so he could fish on his return trek home.
Mr. Abraham's professional career was directly influenced by the outdoors that he grew to love as a child. He spent 32 years employed by The State of
Maryland and held several positions during his tenure including Park Superintendent, Game Warden, Regional Fish Culturist, Regional Wildlife Manager, Department of Natural Resources
State Trout Manager, Department of Natural Resources Extension Specialist and Public Relations Specialist for Wildlife, Forests, and Parks.
Additionally, he worked as an instructor for the Fenwick Rod Company Fly Fishing Schools and also as a professional fishing guide for 15 years. He
offered casting instruction, fly-tying instruction, and guided both wading and boat trips in pursuit of trout and smallmouth bass. Mr. Abraham had the great pleasure of helping to
introduce President Jimmy Carter to Fly Fishing and he initiated a fishing trip on the Potomac River for President Carter and his wife. Mr. Abraham hosted fishing events on his
family's pond for the Carters and for President George H. W. Bush. He's utilized that same pond for hundreds of students and visitors.
Mr. Abraham introduced innumerable people to the wonderful world of fly fishing both through his professional pursuits and his voluntary efforts. At
one point, he was actively and simultaneously involved in over 14 different fish and wildlife organizations.
He's spent extensive amounts of time fishing the Potomac River and developed "Bob's White Fly" for use during the White Miller hatches. While he's
wet lines as far as Canada and Alaska, most often he's found in his "office" on Big Hunting Creek near the Joe Brooks Memorial or Camp Penial. His family jokes that he's 'mayor'
there. He's the guy talking with various anglers, offering up advice on how to catch that spooky trout behind the big rock on the other side of the hole and then giving them that
special fly that is most likely going to tempt a good rise. Now, you'll see him wearing a new hat!
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