Wednesday 12 November 2008

Project Healing Waters



Mission Statement from Project Healing Waters USA:
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., initiated and conducted by members of the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation.

While initially focusing on the military personnel in the Washington, DC area, the Project has expanded nationwide and is offering its services and program to active military personnel and veterans in Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the country.

The Project’s program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting and fly tying classes and clinics for the wounded and injured personnel ranging from beginners to those with prior fly fishing and tying experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities. All activities and services are provided to the participants at no cost. Fly fishing and tying equipment and materials are provided to the participants, including equipment that accommodates their special needs.

The Project’s training and educational activities are designed to ignite or rekindle the participants’ appreciation and enthusiasm for a wide variety of fly fishing outings. While most of these fishing trips are conducted within a half-day’s travel from a hospital, the Project actively seeks opportunities to offer outings in quality fishing sites across the county.


Currently, a passionate fly angler and contributing author to the flyangler.ca website, Kerry Pitt; has put in motion steps to bring Project Healing Waters to Canada. At this time he's asking people to consider how they would be able to contribute to this project as it comes to pass, not a request for money but rather more a request for their time. I sent him a personal message for information and to let him know that I'm very interested in this project. If you think you could give up some of your time to help our Canadian Veterans click here: Bringing Healing Waters and here: Comments and suggestions for more information.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks Doc. For those of you who read and listen to the PHW material that is here, we will know if we will be PHW Canada shortly after Dec.05 when the Board of Directors is going to discuss the formation of a Canadian Board of Directors.
If for some reason we do not get their approval, we will pursue the project under our own name. All going well though we will be approved, I have been talking to them for nearly two years now and they are certainly interested as well, so a little finger crossin please!

Mike (Doc) Monteith said...

Hope it all works out so you can move forward with this. Which ever way it goes, you can count on my support.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mike I will keep in touch.

Anonymous said...

Doc, I was notified by Ed Nicholson the President of Project Healing Waters, that they are happy to create a Canadian division as I have requested.
This is good news for everyone concerned, but especially the Veterans who will benefit from what PHW has to offer.
I would also like to clarify something regarding the benefits of Project Healing Waters.
While this program will obviously benefit our vets, I really believe that it will help build relationships between ourselves (civilians) and those who have sworn to protect us.
i envision a benefit to both supporters and clients and I am proceding with that view as my goal for this first Canadian branch of Project Healing Waters.
Thanks for your support Doc and I look forward to talking to many others over the winter as Spring draws near....Kerry

Anonymous said...

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has given their okay for us to form Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Canada.
From here I have a new list of things to do to get ready for our June event.
I know that there will also be a trip to a Nothern Ontario Lodge that will host both U.S. and Canadian Soldiers. If anyone has questions about either of these topics please feel free to e-mail me at pittfam@telus.net