PHW and WTU Trip Reports...
Fort Eustis & McGuire Warriors Brave the Cold Rose River
February 23, 2010
The Fort Eustis WTU has been involved with Project Healing Waters for a
very short period of time - since late fall of 2009. The majority of these
warriors had no experience fly fishing, and in a few cases had not been
fishing at all, ever.
On February 23, 2010, an all-day fly fishing trip was provided for the
warriors from Fort Eustis WTU and McGuire VA Center to the private waters
of Rose River Farm in Madison County, Virginia. Doug Dear, owner of Rose
River Farms, graciously provided use of the private waters. Doug is
Chairman of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.
Fly Fishers of Virginia, together with support from Ford Colony Fly
Fishing Club of Williamsburg, generously hosted our enthusiastic group of
warriors. It was a great day on the water of the Rose where the weather
was seasonally cool and the river water was at 41 degrees.
Many areas along the the river bank were covered with three feet of snow!
No one flinched, though. A little leftover snow was not about to stop
these warriors from getting down to that water! With the willing help of
experienced volunteer guides, all were able to net big rainbow trout. Most
of the rainbows were taken on a variety of nymphs and small streamers.
Before and after climbing in and out of the crystal clear, cold waters,
all hands were treated to hot coffee and donuts in the morning and a great
deli lunch, topped off with hot soup. That really hit the spot after
standing in cold river water!
Fly Fishers of Virginia and Ford Colony Fly Fishing Club have many great,
day trips and events planned for the McGuire VA and Fort Eustis WTU in the
coming months, and we enjoyed a very special end to this one: a large Bald
Eagle made a pass up the river. A fitting tribute! A kind of salute to all
our warriors!
Phil Johnson, Regional Coordinator: The Virginias
Oct. 25,2009
Trip Report:
Oct 21, 2009, McGuire VA Center all day fly fishing event at Smith Farm,
Powhattan County, VA.
The weather could not
have been any better for our planned trip to the Smith Farm. This is the
second time since we started working with the Vets and Warriors at McGuire
that the Smith’s have graciously allowed us to come and fish in their
pond. All hands agreed this is a great place to spend a day on the water.
We were able to work
with four new Warriors. Many who had never fly fished ,quickly got into
the swing of basic casting. At the end of the day all have had landed
fish.
There was plenty of
good food for all hands at lunch.
The following
Volunteers helped support the Warriors: Steve Lewis, Bill Pearsall, Bill
Johnson, Phil Johnson, Steve Klein, Mark Sargent, Mike Brinkac, and Bob
Bolte (father in law of Mark Sargent)
Phil Johnson
Program Leader
FFV / PHWFF
PROJECT HEALING WATER FLY FISHING
A Mid South Region Event -February 24, 200
FLY FISHING THE FROZEN MOORMAN
Report by Phil Johnson
Fifteen hardy souls braved temperatures in the teens to pursue Rainbow
trout on the Thomas Jefferson Trout Unlimited Special Regulation section
of the Moorman River west of Charlottesville, VA. The TJTU chapter waived
the normal day rod fee and allowed the Warriors free access to this
privately stocked water.
The Warriors from Ft Lee, VA- Warrior Transition Unit were supported by
guides from Fly Fishers of Virginia. All Warriors were introduced to fly
fishing nymph rigs in moving water.
For a few Warriors this was their first time trout fly fishing and under
less than ideal conditions. The majority of Warriors were able to land
Rainbows. Catch and Release was followed to assure the fish would be
available to enjoy another day. At the noon break hot coffee and great
chicken soup was a welcome addition to deli sandwiches. All agreed the
food hit the spot. The Fly Fishers of Virginia veterans, who guided the
Warriors have many years of experience in fly fishing . To a man they all
enjoy sharing their knowledge with our Warriors.
The FFV members who took part in the event: Jay Armstrong, Alan Hoover,
Phil Johnson, Steve Klein,Vin Lacovara Steve Lewis & Bill Pearsall.
Here are some photos...
PHWFF Escatawba Trip
March 24 to 26, 2009
Five Warriors from Ft Lee, VA Warrior Transition
Unit (WTU) and three Veterans from the Salem, Virginia VA Center were
recently treated to two day guided fly fishing trip to the private
trout waters of Escatawba Farms in Covington, Virginia. At the event
each Warrior and Veteran received a full complement of fly fishing
equipment: rod, reel, waders, vest, rain jacket and a box of flies.
For many of the Warriors this was a once in a
life time opportunity to take part in a experience of superb angling
and picturesque scenery. Each fly fisherman was supported by
experience volunteer fly fishing guides from Fly Fishers of Virginia
and local Trout Unlimited chapters in the Salem area.
To give the each fly fisherman an equal
opportunity at the best water on the river a systems of beats was
developed. When the beat was changed so were the guides during the
morning and afternoon fishing periods. This allowed each fly fisherman
and guide to get better acquainted and to a fish a different section
of the river.
During the two days of fishing, prizes were
awarded to the highest total landed fish per day and highest total
over all. The two daily winners were Sgt Scott Cunningham of Ft Lee
WTU and Billy Davis of the Salem VA. Cunningham was the overall
winner with more than 60 fish to the net.
The weather was not the most ideal as it rained
for the best part of the two day event . It made little difference to
the fly fishermen and guide, all of whom were well equipped for
inclement weather.
Each day ended with an enjoyable dinner at a
local restaurant in the Covington area.
This event would not have been possible without
the generous grant from the Guilford Foundation of Richmond, Virginia
to Project Healing Water Fly Fishing.
It is my feeling that all the people involved in
making this event happen will agree the Warriors and Veterans will
remember this experience for the rest of their lives.
Phil Johnson
Program Leader
FFV / PHWFF
Here are some photos from the 10/14/08 PHW/Ft
Lee fishing trip...
The Oct 14,2008 Ft Lee WTU first field trip well received
FFV hosted a great day of fly fishing at Rose Farm
River private water, owned and managed by Doug Dear, President of Project
Healing Waters. The river is in Madison County. This was the first day
fly trip fishing event with the Warriors from the Warrior Transition Unit.
There were seven Warriors many of them had never been
fly fishing .we separated the Warriors into two groups : those who had
fly fished and those who had not. A few more experienced Warriors were
able to start fishing on the river. The others began some basic fly
fishing instructions.
Rose Farm well suited for getting new fly fishing
Warriors into casting . There is a very nice farm pond with great access
and open casting. It’s also full of bass and brim. This allows a beginner
to get a feeling about the skills required in enjoying this sport.
It did not take long before the new students started
to hook up with fish and get “hooked “so to speak.
After a very nice deli lunch, set up by FFV members
Steve Lewis and Bill Pearsall, all the Warriors were paired up with FFV
guides for the assault on the big trout in the Rose.
Each Warrior was equipped with FFV/PHW loaner
warders, vest, and fly rods. The guides provided the flies as well as
instruction on fishing skills needed to catch a trout. All Warriors were
able to hook and land a trout in moving water
This first all day fly fishing trip would not have
been possible without the wonderful willingness of the following FFV
member who gave up their time and expense to take part in the event:
Mike Hatfield, Mike Herron, Mark Sargent, Dan Genest
, Alan Hoover, Thom Wheeler, Steve Lewis, Bill Pearsall, George Pearson,
and Vin Lacovara.
In 2009 we have a lot of day trips planned as this is
what Project Healing Waters is all about.
Phil Johnson
Program Coordinator
Great Day with Don
Stewart at the Two Fly Fund Raiser for Project Healing Waters, Rose River
Farms, Madison, VA, May 4, 2008
I acted as Don Steward’s personal guide during the
fundraiser. Fifteen Warriors along with their fly fishing pro took part in
the second annual national event.
Don has been a patient at McGuire VA center for
seven months. During that time Don took part in the fly tying and casting
programs FFV has held under the PHW program.
On the day of the contest Don fished beat 5 and
took his first trout on a fly. He ended up on that beat with a total of 14
fish. Don used a Red Butt bead head nymph. On the final beat he netted two
nice rainbows (both over 16 inches) taken on one of Don’s own tied Woolly
Buggers. . At the end of the contest Don placed 4th over all. Great day
for Don! One more reinforcement that the program at McGuire produces
results.
Phil Johnson
FFV / PHW First Fly Fishing Trip
Report 10/30/07
Click on the thumbnails for a larger view of the picture
Our first fly fishing trip with five Vets from McGuire
VA hospital took place on Oct 30, 2007. The day started out on the cold
side slightly delaying the Vets arrival and fishing start..
Carroll & Gretchen Smith have been very gracious in
allowing the Vets as well as the club members of FFV to use their
wonderful farm pond. The facility accommodated the Vets who were all in
wheelchairs.
The Vets started using their new casting skills and in
no time were catching fish. We had a ratio of two FFV members to one Vet;
they all work as a team.
Due to the late start Jo Ann Lindstrom headed up the
lunch duties. She and George Pearson delivered the lunch to each fishing
team on the waters edge so the Vets would not lose any time fishing.
The club members and PHW friends who volunteered did a
great job with the Vets.
The following guys worked on the fishing teams: Bill
Pearsall .Steve Lewis ,Dale Huggins, Vin Lacovara, Thom Wheeler, Richard
Scott, Steve Klein, Lynn Spurlin, Jean-Paul Cosse and Phil Johnson. John
Bass, Regional Coordinator for PHW, was on hand supporting Vets as well as
the FFV members. John is unique in as much as he has been wheelchair bound
most of this life and an avid fly fisherman.
Mark Sargent did a fine job of taking pictures of the
event.
A great deal was learned from this first trip.
 | The VA really like the facilities the Smith farm
provide as they can see about 80 to 90 % of the pond so if any problem
did occur help could be sent ASAP |
| We need two club members for each Vet in wheelchairs,
minimum. |
| Simple box lunches work well and the Vets like them. |
| Make sure there is fish in the pond. The Vets really
got a kick out of catching any kind of fish. |
| Develop a plan with assigned task. |
|
|
The bottom line is making sure the Vets are having fun! |
We will plan other trips down the road.
I think FFV can hold their heads up high in as much as
we really did a lot in 2007. Regular tying classes (1 & 3 Monday of each
month). Regular casting classes (2 & 4 Wed of each month). A one wonderful
fun day fly fishing trip.
Great job guys!
Phil Johnson
