NEWS & STORIES
Cottonwood Camp hosts PHWFF veterans on Montana’s Bighorn River
May 21 – 25, 2018 – Bighorn River, Montana – Four disabled veteran participants from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) programs were offered the opportunity to fish Montana’s legendary Bighorn River this spring. Cottonwood Camp in Fort Smith, Montana served as the base of operations thanks to the charity of owners Phil and Amy Morin. Additionally, outstanding guides Ian, Tyler, and Brady worked hard every day to put the participants on many wild rainbow and brown trout. A special highlight of the outing was a side trip to the Bighorn Reservoir which offered the participants the opportunity to fly fish for carp and smallmouth bass! One participant remarked that he caught seven different species of fish on the trip – which may stand as a Bighorn record!
Thanks to Outing Leader Bob Frey, and volunteer Ron Young, transportation and most of the meals for the outing were provided to the participants during their stay in Montana. Thanks are also due to the Garrison Stoker Resort and the Bighorn Trout Shop for donating a delicious evening meal for the participants to enjoy after a day on the water.
While visiting this special part of Montana, a visit to the historic Little Bighorn Battlefield was arranged. This special battlefield features both the U.S. government’s and Native Americans’ interpretations of the major battle fought there – and provided the participants with a sense of the history of this remarkable region.
The trip proved a wonderful success and opportunity for PHWFF participants to experience the great angling, community, and history of southeast Montana.