We’re thrilled to share a cool instructional video on how to tie a Thanksgiving Turkey Fly! The video was created, and published, by PHWFF volunteer and participant alum SPC (ret) Aaron Heusinkveld during his weekly fly tying demo on his All Tied Up Fly Tying school YouTube channel
Aaron has been participating in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing for over five years with the St. Cloud VAMC Program. As his skills increased, Aaron took on a more active role of volunteering to assist the new veterans joining the program. For the past years he has been in charge of the beginners’ station for first time participants. This includes instruction in the use of basic fly tying tools and the completion of their first wooly bugger. Aaron shows extreme patience and instruction with the new participants, always being encouraging and supportive. His great efforts were recognized in 2016 with Aaron receiving the Midwest Region Participant of the Year award from PHWFF. Having come up through the program he serves as an example that fly-tying is not so daunting and something that all can enjoy. It’s a positive aspect of the PHWFF programs that participants give back to other vets and Aaron is a prime example of this.
Aaron fully believes in giving back to the community. He is a 2-time past Post Commander at his local VFW, is currently the Exalted Ruler with his local Elks Lodge, Editor for the St. Cloud Fly Anglers Club, created the “All Tied Up Fly Fishing School” to offer fly tying lessons to the community at large, and remains very active with his local PHWFF Program. of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.
#GivingTuesday is December 3, 2019! Help us effectively serve the deserving past and present members of our armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of our nation. We invite you to join the movement and help us get out the give for the veterans we serve on November 28th. Click here to learn how >
