PHW at the 2007 FFF Conclave

31 July – 4 August

The Federation of Fly Fishers invited Project Healing Waters to Livingston, Montana for its second annual trip to the Big Sky Country for the 2007 Fly Fishing Show and Conclave. This year’s theme, “Reel Fun For Everyone,” rang true for nine wounded/disabled warriors of PHW – Ferris Butler, Dennis Cline, David Folkerts, Eivind Forseth, Norris Galatas, Bill Johnston, and Jake Keeslar from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Marc Bilodeau and Terri Perry from the Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. The anglers were accompanied by Ed Nicholson, John Colburn and R.C. Jones.

This year, PHW was able to include their loved ones in the Conclave activities. Jake brought his father, Art Keeslar and I was proud to have my son, Tristan. Paul Ricciuti and Doug Matty covered thousands of miles in RV’s to bring their families out to Paradise Valley.

In true military fashion, PHW hit the ground running upon arrival. The anglers and staff were met immediately with generous hospitality and support. Terri Perry, a retired Air Force Sergeant, recalls, “From the moment we stepped off the plane, everyone genuinely cared.” Within an hour of touchdown, we were taking a tour of the Simms factory in Bozeman. Simms generously donated an array of wading sandals, rain jackets, and hats, outfitting the anglers for the week’s events.

On Tuesday morning, Mike Geary and his crew from Lewis and Clark Expeditions in Helena and Dean Reiner and his crew from the Hatchfinders Fly Shop in Livingston transported the PHW anglers to the Upper Yellowstone River, a few miles downstream from Gardiner, for some outstanding blue-ribbon trout fishing. The summer heat and scattered rain showers created a challenge, but every angler was rewarded for his or her efforts. Dennis, Ferris, Norris, and Jake and his father had never fished from drift boats before this day. And fishing the Upper Yellowstone was a new experience for all of us. Throughout the duration of the float, we cast hoppers and droppers and managed to land most of our native browns, cutthroat, and rainbows with an occasional whitefish.

The wondrous landscape of the Big Sky Country enamored the anglers, most of who had never been out West. Norris Galatas, an Army Sergeant First Class from Mississippi, writes, “The views of the mountains and valleys were incredible. The rivers were beautiful and full of trout. A beautiful symbol of our country flew across the sky; it was an American bald eagle.” David Folkerts, an Army Captain from Nebraska, adds, “The best part of the trip was the scenery and relaxing atmosphere that the mountains of Montana provided for us.”

Due to fishing restrictions, we band of anglers landed in the early afternoon and headed to Camp PHW (my folk’s land on the Yellowstone near Emigrant) for a barbeque. The local community welcomed Project Healing Waters with open arms, not to mention hamburgers and grilled chicken. The warriors and volunteers of PHW extend a special thank you to Eivind B. and Judith Forseth and their neighbors for their generous contributions of food, lodging, and transportation. We greatly appreciate their tremendous hospitality.

During the barbeque, we met Nick Davis and his crew from Fly Fishing America. The FFA crew followed us for the remainder of the Conclave, filming and interviewing the PHW anglers in the classroom and on the water. They plan to create a documentary that will provide an in-depth look at PHW activities and operations. It is also a great opportunity to spread the word about PHW and its mission.

The next morning, PHW attended a Fly Fishing 101 Class, which was taught by professionals of the fly fishing industry, including Bill Gammel, Al Crise, Rick Pope, Jerry Puckett, John Van Dalen, Chuck Easterling, Phil Gay, John Gay, and Bill Toone. The anglers were introduced to the fundamentals of the sport. Norris Galatas offers, “The helpfulness and instruction given as to the aspects of casting helped me understand more about my abilities and my weaknesses that required me to take another look at my technique so as to improve my casts.” Marc Bilodeau, a retired Air Force Sergeant, expresses a similar sentiment: “To be taught by such people as Bill Gammel and Jerry Puckett and Al Crise. To warrant the attention of rod builders like Rick Pope of TFO. I personally think you have spoiled me and given me much too much and much too fast! Thank you.” In addition to the lectures, every angler was given individual instruction, which we applied to our fishing strategy for the duration of our trip.

That afternoon, PHW was granted access to the Carter Ranch south of Livingston to fish Pine Creek. The fishing was outstanding. Within ninety minutes, the warriors had caught dozens of brook trout in the crystal clear stream. In the meantime, Ed Nicholson and a few of the anglers were touring Montana Boatbuilders, Inc. and inspecting a drift boat kit to be assembled at Walter Reed as an occupational therapy project. John Colburn and Claire Coleman were dutifully setting up the PHW booth at Park High School. After a full day, PHW attended the President’s Banquet. Congratulations to this year’s award winners.

Thursday morning brought an early wake up call – earlier for some than others. The Admiral’s team left at the crack of dawn for Big Timber to meet up with Steve and Susan Pauli of Sweet Cast Anglers to float the Lower Yellowstone. Team Sweet Cast was into trout all day! Team Fly Fishing America linked up with Dennis Alverson and his crew from Montana Elk Hunting in Livingston and Paul Swenson from Lower Yellowstone Fishing Expeditions in Billings for a repeat float on the Upper Yellowstone. The FFA crew filmed our mission, no doubt capturing the absolute beauty of Paradise Valley. The fishing was difficult that day and every fish caught was a challenge; however, we anglers were incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to experience the majesty of the Yellowstone.

After another spectacular fishing expedition, the PHW teams linked up for dinner at the 2nd Street Bistro, a popular night spot in town. Douglas Dear, PHW’s chairman of the board, and Rick Patterson, a member of PHW’s board of Trustees, joined us for a delicious meal. We then strolled and rolled through town to enjoy the activities and live performances at the Livingston Fish Walk Night Out.

Friday came quickly and proved a busy day for the entire PHW team. The first order of business was the PHW Board of Directors meeting. For hours, the “powers-that-be” hammered out details in order to ensure the future success of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. This was the first day the PHW anglers were able to explore the Conclave exhibits and workshops. A few of the anglers visited the local fly shops to look for new toys. The warriors took shifts at the PHW booth and helped John and Claire field questions about the Project. Dennis Cline, an Army Sergeant who lost his arm in Afghanistan, became a fly tying celebrity. He was appreciative of the mentoring he received from the local tyers. “I especially enjoyed the fishing but also all the people we met at the afternoon events. I learned a lot of different techniques and tricks to tying flies. It seems everyone I met had a great idea or some much appreciated advice for me.”

Downstream from Livingston, Marc Bilodeau and Terri Perry were floating with Molly Semenik, owner of Tie the Knot Fly Fishing Instruction. Thanks to Molly’s expertise, the two Togus vets were slamming trout all day. The Fly Fishing America crew captured their success on film for the documentary. Their spirits were high as they returned and shared their experience. Marc remembers, “I landed my first brown, sixteen inches and beautimus! I passed on the ‘holding and smiling photo.’ It was much more important to return it unharmed so someone else could get the same charge I got from catching it.”

Friday afternoon, John and I assisted Ed with a workshop on how fly fishing clubs can initiate PHW programs in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across the nation. The class was well received and our students were roaring and ready to get started supporting veterans in their communities. We wrapped up the day’s schedule with the auction dinner. The anglers enjoyed another delicious meal, compliments of the FFF. PHW sincerely appreciates the Federation’s contributions to the Project.

Saturday was the final day of the Conclave. John and Dennis tied flies and manned the PHW booth. Ed, Douglas, and R.C. headed east to fish the Boulder River. The rest of us were joined by special guests for a guided tour of Yellowstone Park in a privately chartered motor coach, compliments of Eric and Thorm Forseth, owners of Rimrock Trailways, Inc. My cousin Eric donated his day and drove the coach while my dad delivered a thoroughly informative tour of the park and its wonderfully unique features. Everyone was impressed with the tour, even those who had visited the park on previous occasions.

Upon returning to Livingston Saturday afternoon, the Federation invited us to the barbeque at the city park to conclude the Conclave. Once again, the warriors embraced the opportunity to socialize with those who have helped them adapt to their injuries and illnesses through the sport of fly fishing and fly tying. The anglers expressed how appreciative they were to have the opportunity to utilize the fundamentals of fly fishing that they had learned while participating in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Besides the physical rehabilitation, the Conclave was emotionally healing as well. Terri Perry explains, “When you have a disability, you’re constantly on some kind of emotional rollercoaster. And having volunteers that cared as much as everyone did with smiles and enthusiasm was overwhelming.” The PHW anglers will always remember the healing waters of Montana.

Eivind Forseth