The mission of PHWFF is to assist in the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty personnel and disabled veterans through fly-fishing education and outings. PHWFF programs provide basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and fly rod-building classes.
It holds clinics for wounded or injured military personnel and disabled veterans, ranging from beginners to those with previous fly-fishing and fly-tying experience, who are adapting their skills to their new abilities and disabilities. PHWFF programs provide all equipment for classes and fly-fishing day outings.
Registered participants can also apply for Regional and National Destination Outings, and PHWFF covers travel costs and accommodations for these multiday outings. PHWFF is unique in that its volunteers are already teaching classes on an ongoing, long-term basis within the community. For many participants, particularly disabled veterans, the socialization and camaraderie of the classes are just as important as the fishing outings, and fly fishing provides them with a new activity. It is much more than a one-day fishing trip.
PHWFF relies on the Fly Fishers International, Trout Unlimited and independent fly-fishing clubs to conduct the more than 230 programs across the nation. The volunteer staff and outing leaders include experienced fly fishers and guides, all of whom donate their time and knowledge to support the PHWFF participants.
For more information about the Four Corners Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program and classes, contact program leader Paul Wilson at (304) 279-1361 or email him at [email protected].
Richard Schleeter is the veterans service officer for the La Plata County Veterans Service Office. He can be reached at 759-0117 or [email protected].
