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
McGuire VA Hospital-Project Healing Waters –Kick off Meeting Report
The Fly Fishers of Virginia (FFV) began in December 2006 working with the Recreation Therapy staff at McGuire to lay the ground work to establish a Project Healing Waters (PHW) program for the Veterans. As a result of a lot of support from many members, suppliers, and good friends who support PHW a well received Kick off Meeting was held on Saturday July 14. Ms Kristen Lessig, head recreational therapist, at the Spinal Column Injury unit provided information FFV will need in dealing with Veterans. The information was very helpful. At the meeting 15 Veterans, as well as 25 FFV members and friends heard Ed Nicholson, President and Project Coordinator CPT Eivind Forseth, USA speak about PHW mission and goals. Larry Cortright, President of FFV as well as many members of the Board of Directors were on hand to lend their support. Also in attendance were members of the Falmouth Flats Fly Fishing Club who will support the program by working with FFV on taking the Veterans on fly fishing outings in the future. Fly tying demonstrations, fly fishing equipment displays, and fly casting session were held. Some of the Veterans tried their hand at casting. Phil Johnson
Here is an e-mail from FFV member Mike Hatfield abut one of
his experiences with Project Healing Waters...
Wounded Warriors at the PHW 2-Fly tournament on the Rose River. There were 14 Warriors participating in this event with a wide range of injuries. The angler I was paired up with was Sgt. Dennis Cline from Ft. Meade. Dennis had lost part of his left arm in Afghanistan in Sept of 2006 and has been attending PHW fly tying and casting clinics. Dennis had always been a hunter and had bass fished some but this was to be his first time ever fly fishing. When I met him Saturday morning he immediately set up his tying vice and tied a couple of Rose River Specials for myself and Eric Stroup of Spruce Creek Fly Co. When our turn finally arrived to hit the water, Dennis went to work. For someone that had never been on a stream fly fishing before and only taken clinics through PHW, his abilities were fantastic. I would point out the drifts or holding areas and Dennis would hit the mark just about every time. Sm all pockets in tight cover was no challenge, he would put the fly just where it needed to be. After a couple of short strikes and a fly change or two Dennis asked to put on one of the Rose River Specials that he had tied himself. Three casts later Dennis was hooked up and the first fish he ever caught on a fly rod was also caught on a fly he had tied. The smile on his face in the attached picture doesn't come close to the excitement he was feeling. These Wounded Warriors are an exceptional group of men and women and I thank all of you for any help you can give in getting this program started in Richmond...
Regards,
Mike Hatfield
FFV