Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has hit another growth spurt.

On June 1, 2013 at the award ceremony for the Mossy Creek Invitational, President and CEO of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Ed Nicholson presented the Patriot Award to Bob Fitch. Fitch is the owner of Mossy Creek Lodge in Bridgewater, Virginia, which has played host to the tournament for sixth straight years. Along with playing host, Fitch is the chief organizer and main fundraiser for the event.

Six PHWFF participants from Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Massachusetts and Colorado Traveled to Grayling, MI for the 2nd Annual Bamboo Bend rod building class. This program originated through Jim Ottevaere’s initiative. Jim is a volunteer with the Quantico and Fort Belvoir Programs. He came up with the idea of a bamboo rod building class and went to his friend, Vic Edwards, who rounded up the instructors. Jim and Vic then solicited local support and once people found out about it, they wanted to help. Jim’s generosity and skills have benefitted many veterans in the Quantico and Fort Belvoir PHW Programs.

The Falling Spring Chapter, Trout Unlimited in Chambersburg, PA again teamed up with the Franklin County Chapter, Izaak Walton League, and the Penn National Fishers to host the Sixth Annual Falling Spring Invitational for Wounded Warriors.

May 18, 2013 -- Veterans, captains, guides, and volunteers had a great time on the waters in Palmetto, Florida. Larry Lurie, our regional coordinator, organized 17 boats with captains/guides and 20 volunteers who took veterans fly fishing. May 18th commemorated the second PHWFF event at the Bradenton Yacht Club, who hosted the event. Fly fishers all over the country organize fly fishing activities in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and Clinics. This program is promoted by the International Federation of Fly Fishers and its charter and affiliated clubs. Members of several of the Florida fly fishing clubs donated their boats and guides to make this event very successful and honor our veterans.

While enjoying your holiday plans, please fly our flag, say thank you to a veteran and remind others, through your own personal reflection, what this day represents.

Each June and July, our friends at DeCA and S&K conduct a special promotion in support of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. During those months, each time you purchase one of the many participating brands, a portion of the sale is donated to PHWFF.

April 24 -26, 2013 --Three times is the charm. When the President of the Deposit, New York, American Legion Post, Ken Darling, first invited the veteran participants of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing – New York City program, also known as Veteran Anglers of New York (VANY) to fish the West Branch of the Delaware, we were thrilled. He had arranged with the brothers, Matt and Sam Batschelet, who own and operate the beautiful, auspiciously located West Branch Angler and Resort, and are active supporters of PHWFF to donate three days at their lodge for our outing. Ken, whose family has lived, hunted and fished the Deposit area dating back to before the Revolutionary War, awaits our arrival with overladen platters of sandwiches and soft drinks. Along with his friends from the American Legion, they host every delicious, homemade meal including a riverside outdoor grilling bonanza with unique upstate NY sausages and his secret recipe baked beans. Veterans of wars current and past who are active in his Post along with their families mingle with our NYC veterans trading stories and sharing thick slices of cake baked by their wives.

The Long Beach Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing outing to Bishop, California took place May 14 through 17, with 10 disabled veterans and 10 volunteers participating. The trip, as in past years, was a resounding success. Everyone checked into the Creekside Inn in Bishop, California, Tuesday afternoon and then met in the lobby for a quick briefing before being escorted in convoy to the Bishop VFW for dinner. Upon arrival at the VFW post the group was met by crowd of flag waving, Bishop residents, who graciously welcomed and fed our PHWFF members a wonderful delicious meal of Olga’s homemade burritos. Old friendships were renewed and new friendships began. Once again Olga and her gang made us feel at home.

Do you know a PHWFF supporter who would rather golf? On August 19, 2013 it will be time to tee off for the tent time at the Connecticut Golf Club for the Tenth Annual Golf Tournament. Again this year, the proceeds will go to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing for wounded and disabled veterans. This event raised more than $5,000 for PHWFF last year.