Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., initiated and conducted by members of the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation.
While initially focusing on the military personnel in the Washington, DC area, the Project has expanded nationwide and is offering its services and program to active military personnel and veterans in Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the country.
The Project’s program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting and fly tying classes and clinics for the wounded and injured personnel ranging from beginners to those with prior fly fishing and tying experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities. All activities and services are provided to the participants at no cost. Fly fishing and tying equipment and materials are provided to the participants, including equipment that accommodates their special needs.
The Project’s training and educational activities are designed to ignite or rekindle the participants’ appreciation and enthusiasm for a wide variety of fly fishing outings. While most of these fishing trips are conducted within a half-day’s travel from a hospital, the Project actively seeks opportunities to offer outings in quality fishing sites across the county.
The trips, near and far, are provided at no cost to the participants. The Project relies on Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited, and independent fly fishing clubs to conduct the program at the DOD and DVA hospitals across the nation. The volunteer staff and outings leaders include professional educators and fishing guides as well as experienced fly fishers, all of whom donate their time and knowledge to support the Project participants. Other volunteers help meet the educational, equipment, outings, training, and transportation needs.
All Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing activities are dependent on tax deductible financial donations under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. The organization is incorporated in the state of Maryland.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. strives to effectively serve the deserving past and present members of our armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of our Nation.
Filed under: CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS, GOOD IDEAS WE SUPPORT
Great Organization!
If your fly club would like to get involved with PHWFF, please contact me. We have active groups in Florida and are looking for ways to expand this very worthwhile endeavor.
Pat Damico
Area Coordinator, PHWFF Deep South
pat4jaws@hotmail.com or 727-504-8649
Florida Fly Fishing Magazine is owned and operated by a “disabled” veteran and thus throws its total support behind Project Healing Waters and encourages readers and clubs to contact Pat!
Glad to see FFFM endorsing PHWFF. The Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute supports all therapeutic adaptive fly fishing organizations and activity, but the majority of our board of directors (including me) is also made up of disabled veterans. One of our board members is currently in Afghanistan, another is serving as the senior clinical hospital chaplain for the Army Reserve for Florida and Georgia, and my wife is currently in Iraq. And I got my start in adaptive fly fishing leadership as a
Regional Coordinator with Project Healing Waters. It’s a fantastic program. Regarding direct delivery of programs, AFFI’s policy is to meet the needs of any special needs group that is currently unserved, and to assist other organizations as requested where they already have activities in place. To date, we’ve provided technical assistance to a few different PHWFF programs around the country and stand ready to help and cooperate anytime and anywhere we’re asked.