NEWS & STORIES
Disabled Veterans to compete in nationwide fly fishing competition
La Plata, MD – Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is pleased to announce its Inaugural Fly Casting Competition hosted in-conjunction with Fly Fishers International. PHWFF and FFI, through the casting competition and their strategic partnership, aim to bring fly fishing and it’s proven therapeutic elements to more disabled veterans who can benefit from it.
The competition is open to disabled veterans and disabled military service personnel actively participating with PHWFF Programs and will be facilitated by volunteer-run programs around the country. The competitions will conclude in June, 2018 with winners advancing to compete in the PHWFF Casting Competition Finals during the Fly Fishers International Fair in Boise, Idaho August 8 – 11, 2018.
“Fly Fishers International is extremely grateful and honored for the opportunity to assist Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing with this year’s Fly-casting competition, says President and CEO Len Zickler of Fly Fishers International, We look forward to the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with PHWFF and continue serve our veterans and their families”
PHWFF, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, facilitates regular classes through over 200 highly successful programs at Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics nationwide. Currently, 73 FFI Clubs host PHWFF Programs and bring the world’s best casting instructors and educators together with PHWFF Programs to execute a top-tier casting program and competition aimed at furthering the recovery of our nations veterans.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Fly Fishers International on the inaugural PHWFF Fly Casting Competition,” says President and CEO Todd Desgrosseilliers of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. “Together, we will strive to continue expanding the educational and core-programmatic activities necessary to best serve our Nation’s wounded, ill, and injured active duty military and disabled veterans nationwide.”
Fly casting instruction is one of the four core elements of the PHWFF Program alongside fly tying, fly rod building, and education. In 2017 alone, PHWFF Programs facilitated 1,775 fly casting classes to 8,470 disabled veteran participants. The Inaugural Fly Casting Competition will join the popular Fly Tying Competition and Rod Building Competition as growing annual events within the PHWFF organization.
Related: The Inaugural Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Casting Competition
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About Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. www.projecthealingwaters.org
About Fly Fishers International
Since 1964, Fly Fishers International (FFI) has been an organized voice for fly fishers around the world. We represent all aspect of fly fishing –from the art of fly tying and casting, to protection of the natural systems that support healthy fisheries and their habitats so essential to our sport. Today, our mission is to ensure the legacy of fly fishing for all fish in all waters continues by focusing on conservation, education and a sense of community. https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/