NEWS & STORIES
Join SGT Lee Barbee for a Virtual Fly Tying Class LIVE on Facebook
Demand for our program services has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help ensure our programs provide vulnerable veterans with the support and community they need during these uncertain times.
As part of a continuing series of virtual programming, we’re please to announce that on Wednesday April 22 2020 at 6pm EST, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing veteran ambassador and professional fly tier SGT Lee Barbee, U.S. Army (ret) of Red,White and Blue Flies will once again broadcast a virtual fly tying class live on the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Facebook Page.
Just visit www.facebook.com/projecthealingwaters and like our Page to connect to the meeting on April 22, 2020.
You can also CLICK HERE to join
Lee will be tying one his signature patterns: The Extended Abdomen Mosquito.
Here’s what you’ll need to tie along at home:
- Hook: Partridge CZF Czech Emerger Hook sz16
- Thread: 18/0 nano silk in white
- Abdomen: Solarez Fl. Red and peacock quill
- Wings: hackle tips
- Thorax: Chocolate or mahogany dry fly dubbing
- Wing case: Solarez Chocolate Brown
- Legs: Double Knee knotted Pheasant Tail fibers
- Eyes: burned monofilament
- Proboscis: 1 Coq de Leon fiber
- Head: chocolate or mahogany dry fly dubbing
Despite the physical distance that now separates us due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are together in the pursuit of our mission to heal those who serve
Lee Barbee was born in Macon, Georgia and spent 7 years in the U.S. Army with an MOS of 68W (Medic). Lee served along great Infantrymen in 2-8IN, 2BCT, 4ID, at Fort Carson, CO, with a tour down range to RC South Afghanistan. He started a tour in Kandahar province finishing tour in Mya Neshin Province, and served as an Eastern Equine Encephalitis protocol assistant for the Division of Medicine at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease.
“PHWFF has become a major part of my life,” says Barbee, “the sense of comradery amongst volunteers and participants alike made me feel at home. After working with volunteers Al Warner, Ted, Cryblskey, Kiki Galvin, Carl Smolka, Hank Pilcher, and Dick Buback, I immediately began to feel part of a family. They took me in under their wing and showed me a different path to healing. Teaching me the techniques of fly tying and fly fishing gave me a sense of peace that I never felt before. I’m thankful to continue to be a part of this program and amazing organization.”
Following his time as a participant with our Walter Reed, MD program, Lee launched Red White and Blue Flies – a Veteran owned and operated company providing quality, hand-tied flies for the everyday fly angler – and moved to California to attend college with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant and health care provider. You can find Red White & Blue Flies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/redwhiteblueflies/