Fly-Fishing Equipment Meant To Help Veterans Stolen In Foresthill

FORESTHILL (CBS13) — A fly-fishing club is devastated after thousands of dollars of equipment was stolen.

Thomas Bartos says he has to start all over.

"You work for years building all this stuff up, and all of a sudden it's gone," he said.

His private fly-fishing club, Horseshoe Bar Preserve in Foresthill was broken into on Saturday. Thieves made off with $26,000 of equipment.

For the past eight years, Bartos and his family have hosted an annual Wounded Warrior event. During the first week of October, they take injured veterans out on the water with private guides and cooks for a relaxing few days teaching them fly fishing.

It's an experience that builds camaraderie among the veterans and leaves a lasting impact.

From fishing rods, to boots to waders that run between $300 and $700, the equipment they planned on giving to veterans at next year's event is all gone.

Now they hope the thieves have a conscience when they realize who they stole from and they'll return the items.