potomac

they used to be dumped into the river as baitfish; Cubbage says he regularly sees 3-pounders yanked out of the Potomac.

From the Air to the Water

It’s all in a day’s work for this retired airman, who grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and learned to fish alongside his grandfather in Missouri’s Ozarks. He joined the U.S. Air Force at age 17 and met his wife, Amanda Crisman, a fellow airman who happened to be from Virginia. Cubbage medically retired from the service in 2016, and then followed Amanda to her various military postings.

During their time living in Tucson, Ariz., Cubbage experienced a self-described identity crisis.

“I was no longer the outdoorsman that I was in the Midwest. When I rolled on base, I wasn’t recognized as retired Sgt. Cubbage. I was pretty well lost,” he said. “I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. Depression-wise, it was pretty awful.”

Shortly before being ordered to Arizona, Cubbage and Amanda were based in Missouri, where he had spent so much of his young life fishing with his granddad. While there, Cubbage worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation as project coordinator for outreach and education. He was also a supplemental worker for the state’s wildlife and fisheries division, which got him back on the water.

Even after Amanda was transferred to Arizona, Cubbage returned frequently to Missouri to fish and duck-hunt. He seemed to be happiest whenever on or near the water.

Amanda was eventually relocated from Arizona to the Pentagon, and the couple settled in Stafford in 2019.

“It has that rural feeling that I prefer,” Cubbage said of the couple’s new home in Virginia. But he added, in his good-natured way, “Unless it’s 2 in the afternoon and you’re driving on [Route] 610. For some odd reason the whole state is there.”

Started as a Volunteer

Cubbage soon found a way to marry his love of fishing and the outdoors with his status as a veteran by volunteering with Fallen Outdoors, an organization that provides outdoor excursions for military veterans. Cubbage took veterans on fishing trips several times a month, shouldering the cost out of his own pocket.

“I didn’t have a job. I was just in love with taking people fishing and getting to be outdoorsy again,” he said.

But something unmistakable had clicked with his guests, who kept telling Cubbage he should be paid for his efforts. Among those who said so was Morinda Williams, who met Cubbage through her husband’s veterans organization.

“I was so excited to learn that he was starting his own business,” Williams recalled,

“and remember seeing his impressive setup in his garage as he prepared to launch Atomic Fishing Charters.”

Cubbage admits he didn’t know the first thing about starting a business, but if he was going to make the leap, he first needed to obtain his captain’s license. He even attended a pitch session in Salt Lake City for new businesses in the model of “Shark Tank,” walking away with a $2,000 consolation prize.

With his captain’s license and some money in hand, Cubbage was ready. However, he relates that the Veterans

Administration told him what he did was “a hobby,” so he sought help elsewhere. Eventually he connected with Warrior Rising, a group that was able to parse all of that complicated business-speak and nurture Cubbage in such concepts as amortization.

Jason Van Camp, a Virginia native and West Point graduate who serves on Warrior Rising’s board of directors, said Cubbage is one of the group’s favorite “vetrepreneurs.”

“His confident vulnerability and authentic humility make him stand out,” Van Camp said. “He continues to find solutions to problems and is determined to succeed in business no matter what.”

That includes the COVID-19 pandemic, which began just as Cubbage was getting Atomic Fishing Charters up and rolling. The application process for his business license, which would normally have taken only weeks, took six months. Nonetheless, he laughed it off and pressed on, with more captain’s top-notch gear, knowledge and professionalism.

“When I went fishing with him, I was amazed how organized and clean and efficient the operation ran,” Stauch said, adding he has seen firsthand how personable Cubbage is with his clients. “He takes a lot of pride in what he does in his craft – and it shows.”

Customers can book year-round for a “half” day trip of five hours or a longer 10hour excursion. Cubbage even provides the rods and reels.

“I decided to take some girlfriends out on our first bowfishing experience, and Anthony was the perfect captain for this trip,” Williams said. Cubbage began the voyage with a fishing lesson and practice casts before heading to fishing waters.

“I believe that the success of a bow fisher relies heavily on the guide,” Williams said. “He was able to teach us what we needed to be successful, and we were.” and more veterans soon setting sail with him for fishing spots on the Potomac.

Business became so good that the recently minted captain required that bigger boat to handle both demand and some hefty Potomac waves. On the larger Excel Bay Pro 230, Cubbage now embarks for the fishing grounds with veterans and nonveterans alike. And, by his own admission, he has no issue staying on the water long past the allotted time.

“I have a really bad habit of saying, ‘Are you guys having fun? Let’s keep going, I won’t charge extra,’” he said, again chuckling amiably.

A Solid Reputation

Unsurprisingly, given his rather upbeat nature, Cubbage has endeared himself to other riverboat anglers. Travis Stauch, who runs RamRod Bowfishing out of Woodbridge, praised his fellow

Cubbage says booking has been solid for the winter, and he will reopen for bowand-arrow fishing come the spring. Atomic will soon offer outings to fish for Spanish mackerel near Reedville, and it’s not too soon to inquire about July 4 fireworks cruises.

“There’s only one ‘Cubby,’” Stauch said, adding that Atomic’s customers can look forward to returning with up to 200 pounds of fish. “You can’t go wrong with all of his stories and his friendly banter.”

They say if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. After some time lost in the woods – er, waters –Cubbage has indeed found his calling.

“I’m excited to be in Stafford and getting to do what I love to do here on a fishery that does everything I love it to do,” he said. “Basically I’m just Mr. Good Time on the river.”

Eric Althoff is a freelance writer who lives in Stafford.

For more information or booking inquiries visit AtomicFishingCharters.com