I look forward to making the limited edition creations for Project Healing Waters each year. If I can do one thing to help, I feel like itās the right thing to do! When we did our first takeover, it felt so good to be able to support such a great cause, and being able to continue to do that every year is worth it. The fact that Iām able to create something and be able to benefit PHW, an organization that is helping Veterans get outdoors, to deal with the things theyāre dealing with physically and mentally, an experience that provides such an outlet for them, thatās amazing!
Archives
Sight Line Provisions Takeover 2024!
July 3, 2024
The annual Sight Line Provisions Nonprofit Takeover officially launches tomorrow and runs all day, July 4, 2024, but Project Healing Waters Veterans, volunteers, supporters, and their friends and family get early access starting right now at https://sightlineprovisions.com/. So read on (or go straight to the shop and support our Veterans in the process), and get your hands on some new limited edition products too! Up to 50% of proceeds for all sales across the Sight Line Provisions shop go straight to Project Healing Waters for our programs across the country.
Edgar and Kristi Diaz have been supporting Project Healing Waters since 2016.
While the annual nonprofit takeover kicked off officially in 2020, their involvement with our organization goes much deeper.
Edgar has always been called by the ocean and mountains where he developed his love of fishing, mountain biking, and birding. His connection to the outdoors started with these activities. There is something about the peace he gets when he is outdoors; some might even call it an addiction.
He wanted an accessory to wear that represented his love for the outdoors, and couldnāt find anything. Edgar took things into his own hands and created his first fly fishing bracelet with a trout badge.
Takeover Bracelets 2020-22
He realized that the bracelet didnāt just represent his passion ā it took him right back to some of his greatest memories on the water. It was something bigger that he knew he needed to share with others, so the journey began to create Sight Line Provisions.
That initial trout developed into the Patriotic Trout that has been at the center of each year’s Nonprofit Takeover, and which inspired the logo that now represents the critical mission that Project Healing Waters has been championing for almost twenty years.
āWhen I learned about Project Healing Waters, it just made so much sense to me [to be involved]. When I found out about the organization and your mission, I had just entered the fly fishing industry, the excitement of discovering fly fishing and the opportunity to also help the Veteran and military communities seemed too good to be true. For me, it was a matter of being excitedĀ forĀ the Veterans, for them to get outside and fish, to get to a better place through fly fishing. Sight Lineās involvement started with one bracelet I made for the Fourth of July in 2016 and expanded from there!ā
Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
The Sight Line Provisions journey has carried Edgar and his wife Kristi to support Project Healing Waters over the last seven years, and officially the last four years through the Sight Lines Provisions Nonprofit Takeover. This yearās kicks off NOW and runs through July 4th. We cannot be more honored by their partnership over the years, and we look forward to expanding it alongside Edgar and Kristi! More to come!
The Bert – NC Veterans Fish The Mitchell River
May 22, 2024
By Jon Rouse, PHW Fayetteville
Our wonderful annual outing was another great success!! The Fayetteville program conducted their annual overnight trip to the Mitchell River House that sits a hundred yards off the Mitchell River, just north of Greensboro, North Carolina this past March.
We call it “The Bert.“
It is named after a long-term participant/volunteer/donor from PHW Fayetteville, Bert Kinkead.
This is only our second year for this event, and it has become one of our most sought-after local outings.Ā This trip provided an opportunity for our participants to do some dry fly, nymph, and streamer fishing along with working on some Euro nymphing and Tenkara techniques.
The outing started off well with us catching mostly brown trout with one brook trout. We also caught a sucker, a creek chub, and a green sunfish that helped add two species to our annual fish list. This fishing was not nearly as productive as last year since we were considerably past the last stocking; however, it was still a great time. The communal meals were a great way to start and end our days and gave us opportunities to tell our fishing stories to each other.
The second morning of fishing was affected by an overnight rain that blew out the Mitchell to a moderate degree so some of our guys headed to Stone Mountain and did well, with several browns being caught. We had a unique opportunity at the end of our second day:
After dinner we finished the day by viewing the movie, Mending The Line. Only one of the group had seen it before.
The reactions were āHey! That is what we do!ā and āYou never told us that this is a such good movie!ā
Yes, and yes.
The movie provided the starting point for some great discussions on how this program has affected all our participants and volunteers and was a great way to finish our second day at the Mitchell River House.
As we wrapped up this great outing, we all reflected on what a great overnight outing this is for our program. We put several items in place to help with that success, like the battle buddy rule, an emergency contact roster for all participants/volunteers, mandatory wading belts, a base camp sign out board, and mandatory safety whistles for all participants/volunteers. It works. We had a great location, too: thank you Mitchell River House – great people, pretty good food, and no mishaps.
Once again, Thank You, Bert, for making this great annual event happen! See you all next year!
“There’s A Peace You Have Being Out Here.”
April 19, 2024
By Gary Rihn, PHW Pittsburgh
Fly fishing can be hard, especially when somebody is relatively new to the sport. Having a mentor can be a big help. Actually having a qualified guide can be a bigger help.
Two Veterans from the Pittsburgh program of Project Healing Waters recently enjoyed a day fishing together, each with their own individual guide. The Veterans had traveled an hour north to fish Neshannock Creek in Volant, PA.
Jim Leone had fished the Neshannock before. Jim mused during a break,
“It’s beautiful here. Just being out here, man, just being here….“
Along with Leone was Tom Lunardi. Lunardi said that he had heard others talking about the Neshannock, and that it had a good reputation. “I was excited about coming here, being guided, I was really looking forward to the whole thing”, he commented. Neshannock Creek is a stream designated as Keystone Select by the PA Fish Commission, meaning that it is stocked with larger than normal trout. It is also a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only project, with almost three miles of water that can be fished year-round with flies and artificial lures only.
The morning started cold, in the mid-20s, but with the stream in perfect conditions. Each angler took to their own section of the stream with their respective guide, and spent the morning and into the early afternoon fishing. Occasionally breaks were taken around the fire pit on the stone patio at the Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, which sits streamside. During these breaks, the healing part of PHWFF’s mission started to happen. Leone noted during one of the fireside chats:
“This isn’t just a sport, it’s an outlet. It’s a way to calm down when I need to. Even at home, sometimes I’ll go to my tying table and just focus on that for a while.“
Helping the Veterans were two guides: Dan Heitzenrater, the fly shop’s lead guide, along with Chris Horn. Both mentioned that the low temps presented a challenge for the day, as they never rose much above freezing. However, even with the cold conditions, they managed to put both fishermen on multiple fish. When asked why he donated his services for the day, Heitzenrater said, “It’s a small thing actually when you think about the fact that I can do this (as he swept his arm out across the stream and the Veterans) in a wonderful country that they provided for me.” Horn backed him up with, “It’s something I’ve been wanting to get involved with for a while, helping those who served our country. Today I got to do that.” Along with the guides, Mark Collier, the owner of Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, decided to donate the day’s services to the Veterans at no cost. Collier’s father was an Air Force Veteran, and said his father raised him a certain way. “We have so much in this country that we don’t fully appreciate; we have that because of those that fought for it. We need to challenge ourselves to not take that for granted. It gives me a good feeling to see everybody enjoying each others’ company, especially these guys that were injured,” as he looked out the window of the shop at the two Veterans in the stream.
As the day progressed, the Veterans kept picking up more tips from the guides. Horn noted, “They both already had enough knowledge when they showed up, they had a good base, we just helped with some finer points”. That combination of knowledge and tips all came together for Lunardi when he landed his first unassisted trout, a beautiful 14″ rainbow. He said that it was the first trout where he had made the cast, hookset, fight, and brought the fish to net all without help from anybody else. Surprisingly, he said that might not have even been the highlight of his day (or at least maybe tied for it). “Just being out here, seeing the water, I’m learning, every time you do this you learn a little more.” When asked about his highlight of his day though, Horn immediately said, “Watching Tom land his first trout on a fly! The smile on his face!”
As the day wrapped up, the waders came off, and everybody gathered around the fire to chase off the chill of being in the stream for hours, Leone thought aloud, “If somebody had told me five years ago that I’d be doing this, I wouldn’t have believed them.” Lunardi followed up with,
Project Healing Water is good for your mind; there’s a peace that you have being out here.
Project Healing Waters’ stated mission is its dedication to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of Veterans in need through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.
Days like this go a long way towards that rehabilitation.
Pennsylvania Veterans Healing Through Fly Fishing
April 19, 2024
By Megan Stolensky, Erie News Now
One of our Pennsylvania programs, PHW Erie, have been highlighted by their local news, telling their stories of post-traumatic growth and renewed camaraderies through fly fishing, fly tying, and the outdoors!
You can read the full story here. PHW Erie Program Lead Craig Brandick and Veteran participant Benjamin Dolby do an excellent job of sharing how critical our mission remains, and how effective fly fishing, its associated activities, and the outdoors can be! Way to go, PHW Erie!
The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Marilyn Rogan – Volunteer
February 23, 2024
The Project Healing Waters Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all.
These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to return to sharing these with you each week.
Marilyn Rogan – Field Advisory Committee Member
Project Healing Waters Program:
PHW Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Why Did You Join Project Healing Waters?
Project Healing Waters has been an intricate part of my life for 15 years. Why do I volunteer is a question I get asked frequently, and I must say, I don’t think about the why, but more about the who. Who am I helping today and how will it help them have a better life. I have chosen Project Healing Waters because Veteran have committed to protecting our country under all circumstances, even giving their life for me and you.
What Is Your Favorite Activity With Project Healing Waters? Why?
The fly fishing outings. What Project Healing Waters provides is an avenue of therapy that allows a Veteran to find that inner peace. There is nothing more calming to the soul than to be standing in the middle of a stream, early in the morning mist, listening to nature sounds and the gentle flow of a bubbling stream. Peace flows over the body and the Veteran begins to cope with what is troubling their mind. A volunteer is at their side to make sure they don’t fall in the water, due to balance issues. They are there to help trembling hands, or poor eyesight tie a fly on the line. But more importantly, they are there to listen to their story. Because once they trust you enough to share their story, they begin the healing journey. Many will never be completely healed of the tragedies of war, but at least now they have an avenue of hope, a helping hand of encouragement and a heart that cares.
A Bit More About Marilyn:
Marilyn was the Program Lead for PHW Murfreesboro for many years and has now joined the Field Advisory Committee so that her organizational knowledge and experience can continue to benefit Project Healing Waters. While in her role as Program Lead, she was nominated for and recently received the 2024 Tennessee Governor’s Volunteer Star Award. For context: “The Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA) is an initiative from Volunteer Tennessee that seeks to recognize outstanding volunteers from each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Now in its 16th year, participating counties conduct a call for nominations and recognize one outstanding youth and one outstanding adult volunteer. The Governorās Volunteer Stars Awards also recognizes one business and one non-profit from each of Tennesseeās three Grand Regions for their outstanding community involvement and service.”
Congratulations, Marilyn, thank you for everything you do for our Tennessee Veteran participants and volunteers, and for committing to future service through the Field Advisory Committee!
The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org.
The Project Healing Waters Spotlight: Paul Bohorquez – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
September 15, 2023
The PHW Spotlight is our way of shining a bright light on those members of our PHW family whose accomplishments and contributions inspire us all.
These individuals, and their stories, are an essential part of the healing journey happening for Veterans across the country. Project Healing Waters transcends fly fishing and these Spotlights are a glimpse into what is happening throughout our programs. We are honored to share these with you each week.
Paul Bohorquez – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
When Did You Serve?
Enlisted January 11, 2010.
Project Healing Waters Program:
PHW Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Why Did You Join Project Healing Waters?
I was looking to clear my mind of the things that were happening around me. My best friend asked me four years ago to check out Project Healing Waters as they teach veterans the art of fly fishing. Years later, I finally decided to give it a chance. I wanted to learn a new craft as well. I now find peace in the streams and pleasure in doing something I love and have passion for fishing in general.
What Is Your Favorite Activity With Project Healing Waters? Why?
One of my favorite activities is the fishing portion, but also the fly tying portion. I have learned a lot. It’s given me a chance to build a small community on my YouTube channel where I can share what I learn in fly tying class on a live segment. I get to share and meet others that are passionate about fly fishing and fly tying.
What Do You Most Look Forward To With Project Healing Waters In The Upcoming Year? Why?
I look forward to making memories out on the stream with fellow Veterans from the group. It’s the peace on the water that brings everyone together, where there is no animosity or disruptions from the outside world.
A Bit More About Paul:
My name is Paul Bohorquez, a Marine Corps Combat Veteran from Hamilton, New Jersey. I joined the Marine Corps in 2010 and deployed to Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2011. A lot has changed since those past times. It was a struggle to get my mindset to a place where I can feel “normal” after coming back from a war that had taken so much from us. I had my brother Joshua Barrett, a combat veteran as well, who helped me get back to my feet, as I had mentally declined shortly after getting out of the service. It was a struggle but I was able to get back up on top. Years later, I was faced with a couple challenges in life, where I ultimately had to restart my life again. I was able to get myself out of a situation that had brought nothing but chaos to my world. But with God on my side and the people who He had put in my life to guide me, like my family, I was able to overcome these issues. As I continue to work on building a more structured lifestyle, I am blessed to have met my Beautiful wife Angela Bohorquez, who I married 08/28/2022. A phenomenal woman who has stuck by me as I worked on rebuilding my life. In 2022 I had the opportunity to be re-introduced to Project Healing Waters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My Brother Josh had told me about the organization in 2019 but I kindly shrugged it off and missed out. Once I finally joined the local program in 2022, I was able to learn and meet some really great people along the way. I’ve had the opportunity to have met Vincent Taylor, who has been a positive and knowledgeable role model, as well as my fly tying mentor Rusty Berrier. PHW has played a role in my healing process, for which I am grateful. They have provided me with tools to be able to pursue a career for which I never even intended to form a passion. In the past year that I have been involved with the program, I have been able to learn how to fly fish, learn to tie flies, as well as pursue attending Sweet Water Guide School out in Montana to become a fishing guide. I also create fly fishing content for my YouTube channel (LastCast31 is the YouTube Handle) for other Veterans to see that there are opportunities like the one PHW offers. I’ve learned that with the right people and tools like PHW offers, you can move forward in a more positive mindset. THANK YOU TO PROJECT HEALING WATERS AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING ALL OF THIS A POSSIBILITY.
The PHW Spotlight will publish each Friday morning on www.projecthealingwaters.org. Learn more about this inspiring series HERE
Latest News
Project Healing Waters Tennessee Valley In The News: National Casting Champion Earns The Spotlight!
September 15, 2023
The recent Project Healing Waters National Casting Competition brought together 15 regional champions from across the country. Held at Bennett Spring Park in Lebanon, Missouri, the competition was the culmination of local and regional casting competitions hosted across the country, with the winners meeting to determine who would earn the prestigious title for 2023.
In addition to a full day of practice Tuesday prior to Wednesday’s competition, there were plenty of opportunities for fishing on the Niangua River. Henry Stockman, from the Tennessee Valley region, posted impressive scores for both rounds on Competition Day to take the top spot!
It’s great to see our organization’s flagship fly casting event be highlighted by media outlets! Check out more here, thanks to the Chattanoogan and Ross Schweinforth!
Latest News
Benefit Veterans in-need with the PHW Colorado Springs Auction!
September 14, 2023
How About Something Unique For Father’s Day?
June 12, 2023
Don’t worry, we’re not about to recommend the next rod, reel, net, fishing vest, fishing pack, or exciting new fly fishing gadget to politely nudge your spouse about for your Father’s Day present. You can sneak that into the garage afterward when they drop their guard after you ask for a book for you and your child to share together…
We know that we’ve got plenty of fathers throughout our organization, including some relatively new ones! So when we heard the story of Patty the Palomino, written by our friend Artie Mabbett and with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Project Healing Waters, obviously we had to share! A day with a young kiddo can often be full of craziness, but at the end of the day, when you lay down to read a book with the kiddo, that’s a special moment. And if you’re like us, any chance to bring fishing in is a chance we’re going to take.
A few years back, I was on a fishing trip with my best friend and partner (aka my wife) in Colorado. My wife spotted this oddly colored trout and called me over for a look. Sure enough there were a few Palomino trout in the river. Curiously we looked up the story of the Palomino trout over dinner and joked about writing a childrenās book about a special kind of fish. Fast forward two years when we found out we were pregnant with our first child, the book idea didnāt seem so silly. Intrigued by the history of this fish and dreaming of the day when our son could join us on these adventures, Patty the Palomino was conceived.
– Artie Mabbett
And it’s a pretty cool story too, as it helps explain some common challenges to our growing kiddos. So not only can you help your kid learn about what’s so great about being unique, maybe you can inspire them to drag you out for a fishing trip to find some trout of their own! Patty the Palomino is available at a wide range of booksellers, but it looks like Amazon can get it to your door well before Father’s Day, and you’d be helping benefit Veterans’ healing journeys in the process! We’ll call it a win-win-win.
Latest News
Benefit Veterans In-Need with the PHW Murfreesboro Auction!
June 6, 2023
Filled with a range of vintage and modern fishing gear, boats, artwork, sports memorabilia, and other speciality goods, this auction is a great opportunity to support the Veterans in-need in our Murfreesboro, TN Program while simultaneously angling for some awesome items.
All proceeds go towards supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of Veterans in-need served annually by PHW Murfreesboro. Dive right in: this auction is live now!
The PHW Murfreesboro Program has provided fly tying, fly rod building, and fly fishing outings on an ongoing basis at no cost to our veteran participants for over a decade. This auction will raise funds to sends Veterans to the program’s 14th annual Caney Fork outing!
In order to expand the number of quality fly-fishing experiences available to its participants, PHW MurfreesboroĀ is holding an extensive online auction starting June 5. Up for auction is a wide range of fly-fishing gear, including a number of vintage bamboo rods, a Gheenoe and trolling motor package, an Outcast kick-boat, a range of art pieces, and more. All proceeds raised will send Veteran participants that are part of the Murfreesboro Program to the 14th annual Caney Fork outing.Ā We encourage you to visit the auction and share with your friends, families and colleagues.Ā Together we can cast a lifeline to Veterans in-need.Ā Check out several of the items up for auction:
The auction will be open June 5 – June 12, 2023.
Filled with incredible gear, trips, experiences, and unique specialty items, this auction is a great opportunity to support the Veterans in-need in our Murfreesboro Program while simultaneously angling for some awesome items.
All proceeds go towards supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of Veterans in-need served annually by PHW Murfreesboro, TN. This auction is live now!