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  project healing waters
     
Project Healing Waters is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly tying and fly fishing.

FLY TYING & FLY FISHING


 

The Project Healing Waters program was first introduced in the Pacific Northwest at Madigan Army Hospital in the Spring of 2007.

It was later introduced at the Seattle VA Hospital in April of 2008, initially in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Unit, and then in the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Unit.

This program is made possible through the combined efforts of volunteer instructors from numerous local area fly fishing clubs, and by provision of equipment and materials by the clubs which they represent .

The Washington Fly Fishing Club volunteer instructor team includes club members Chuck Ballard, Bob Birkner, Dick Brening, Jim Higgins, Jim McRoberts (group leader), Dick Stearns, Don Schroder, John Townsell, and Walt Swanson.



Madigan Army Hospital Fly Tying Session




American Lake Fly Fishing Session


To view an article detailing most recent Washington Fly Fishing Club member support of Project Healing Waters on the their national website, please see Non-stop Fishin' In the Northwest!

MAY 7, 2011 OUTING

On a dreary (have we had any other kind?) Saturday morning, we departed our carpool areas for Bill’s Fishin’ Hole in Orting. 

I had Bob Young, Don Schroder and Paul Dibble (a new helper) with me, Bob Birkner picked up Chuck Ballard and Randy Hieronymus, Dick Stearns and Vicki Hoagland came from Bremerton, Art Alton (new member), Scott Hagen,  and Marv Young each came alone. 

Two vans came from the Seattle VA with six veteran patients and three Recreational Therapists.  Three other outpatients came by themselves.

We rigged the rods and tied on foam flies with no hook points to practice in the pond with 10” to 18” triploid trout. 

After everyone had a chance to feel the take and spit out the fly, we moved to the pond with 2 ½ pound to 5 pound fish, the keepers! 

As you know the fish have to make the choice!  In the practice pond the competition causes them all to attack as quickly as the fly (food) “plops” on the surface, however, in the pond with bigger and fewer fish, they are in no hurry! 

The vets in wheelchairs and those with diminished reflexes are not certain when to set the hook or how to fight an unruly fish! 

After a few losses, they get the hang of it and OH what fun! 

The smiles show it all!  We were very fortunate and the rain did not arrive until the last fish was landed! 

Fifteen fish were landed, the biggest 8.5 pounds! 

The big fish went home with the lucky angler to have for dinner!

Fourteen of them were taken to be smoked and will be returned to the Seattle VA for many tasty snacks before lunch or dinner!

Respectfully,
Jim McRoberts










Caught with cane rod


Two handed Art with Dave


First fish


I don't want to use a "fly pole""!!


The gang at Bill's