Houk joined the U.S. Navy toward the end of the Vietnam war and served on the USS New Jersey. In March of 1972, Robert Houck left the Navy with an Honorable Discharge and came to rest in Hendersonville, North Carolina. That's where his love for fly fishing took root.

With 25 years of experience as a fly-fishing guide, David Richards has fished all over the world. When Veteran’s Last Patrol contacted him to see if Davidson River Outfitters would be interested in guiding a veteran to one last fish, Richards jumped at the opportunity.

The fish were not cooperating that day, Richards said. But, with time running out, Houk, sitting on a folding chair in the middle of the river, saw the indicator dip below the surface.

He quickly set the hook and minutes later a beautiful 18-inch rainbow trout was landed! After a quick photo-op with Houk and Richards, the fish was released.