John Bass Honored with the Project Healing Waters Patriot Award and Orvis Company Helios Rod

John Bass received the Patriot Award, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing’s (PHWFF) highest level of recognition, for his sustained support of PHWFF’s mission and activities. Mr. Bass is a life-long resident of Spring Hope, North Carolina, and is the President and CEO of Bass Farms, the producer of breakfast sausage distributed throughout Eastern North Carolina. He has been a member of the Project Healing Waters Board of Trustees since its incorporation in 2007, and has been the Regional Coordinator for PHWFF’s Mid-South Region for more than three years.

The Patriot Award was presented to John by retired Navy Captain Ed Nicholson, President, CEO, and founder of PHWFF, in appreciation of his personal dedication and commitment to the rehabilitation of our wounded active duty service men and women, and disabled veterans.

An avid fly fisherman, Mr. Bass was injured in 1974, in a diving accident that left him paralyzed. Subsequently, through perseverance and incredible determination, John was able to use adaptive techniques to allow him to fly fish again. Since his involvement with PHWFF, he has mentored, motivated, and supported wounded warriors and disabled veterans participating in PHWFF’s fly fishing activities. Through his unselfish and caring actions, he has served as an inspiration to all volunteers associated with our program.

Ed Nicholson also had the pleasure of presenting John with a 10-foot, 6-wt, Orvis Helios rod, which had been donated by the Orvis Company, through the efforts of Doug Bear, Orvis’ Eastern Central Business Manager. Doug cited that “John’s efforts, inspiration, and support of PHWFF has been impressive, and we at Orvis are delighted to recognize his outstanding contributions to PHWFF and the service men and women and veterans they support”.