NEWS & STORIES
Disabled veterans enjoy the experience of a lifetime in Bozeman, Montana with PHWFF
July 31 – August 4, 2018 – Bozeman, Montana: Four disabled veteran participants from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) programs came to Bozeman, Montana to sample its outstanding trout fishing. Immediately upon stepping off the plane the group was met by the stunning vistas of Big Sky Country. Met by Outing Leader Bob Frey, a PHWFF Patriot Award winner, the group loaded up and traveled to a private pond complex to work the kinks out of their casts and to catch a few trout. Their angling adventure was only just beginning!
During their first two days in greater Bozeman, the participants were treated to a special angling experience on Willow Creek, a small badland canyon private stream chock-full of eager brown and rainbow trout. Also in the angling mix was Mill Creek, a beautiful and private small meadow stream featuring native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. During their final day, the group was treated to fishing the famed Gallatin River, where the spruce moth hatch was in full swing. The dry fly fishing was truly incredible!
Of course, this being Montana, there was a lot of hiking involved in, and around, these spectacular settings. Many, many fish were landed by all (and of course, there were a few that got away!) Two of the participants had a special treat, a very rare sighting (at a safe distance of course!) of a pair of grizzly bears in the meadow they had just fished. Montana is truly a special place.
While in greater Bozeman the group stayed at Bob and Pat Frey’s place. The hospitality was incredible. Each morning Pat sent them off with a sumptuous breakfast and prepared two delicious home cooked dinners. Additionally, the embrace of the local community was obvious as two area restaurants, Sir Scott’s Oasis and Sidewinders, generously donated phenomenal dinners for the participants, and lunches were served up by Mama Macs Bakery and Sandwich Shop, while Montana Troutfitters supplied all the flies — AND several of Bob Frey’s experienced local fishing friends volunteered their time and talents to guide them, showing them the right flies and casting techniques while putting them on incredible numbers of wild trout each day. This group of participants, who had traveled from PHWFF programs across the Nation, truly felt the warm hospitality of greater Bozeman.
“All of the participants raved about their Montana experience, calling it the trip of a lifetime.” – Bob Frey, Outing Leader
We are humbled and honored by all the incredible individuals and businesses who teamed up to make this a trip of a lifetime.