NEWS & STORIES
The 2017 Rod Building Program and Contest is Underway!
We are pleased to announce that the 2017 PHWFF Rod Building Program and Contest is underway! Thanks to a generous grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation we have been able to provide this great program to a record-setting number of PHWFF participants this year. There are 98 PHWFF Programs, spread across all of our 21 geographic regions, taking part! Over 800 participants are involved in 2017, representing the largest number ever to be enrolled in this annual program!
The purpose of the Rod Building Program is to give our participants the experience of building their own fly rods to further their physical and mental rehabilitation through the sport of fly fishing. It is a way for them to further showcase the skills and creativity garnered from program classes, meetings, and independent study in a casual, fun program. Additionally, the rod building program has a fun contest component as well, which gives participants the chance to win prizes for their rod building abilities. These prizes may include the opportunity to further their rod building experience by attending a bamboo rod building school or attend a PHWFF National fly fishing trip.
Watch the video below for a great glimpse into the PHWFF Rod Building Program and to meet a few past contest winners.
We are eager to see the incredible work being done this year. In 2006, hundreds of participants from across the country submitted entries and they were stunning accomplishments and works of functional angling art. Contest host Ron Weiss of The Hook & Hackle Company was astounded with the high quality of rods in 2016. Click here to see the 2016 winners. If history is any measure, we are in for something very special in 2017 — enthusiasm is running high amongst the Programs and veterans participating:
About the Bob Woodruff Foundation:
The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) works to ensure injured veterans and their families are thriving long after they return home. The team at BWF navigates the maze of over 46,000 nonprofit organizations to find and fund innovative programs in communities where veterans, their families and caregivers live and work.
Receiving a grant from BWF is an honor that recognizes the dedication, focus and effectiveness of our staff, volunteers and supporters. As a grant recipient, our organization joins the Bob Woodruff Foundation grantee network, a collaboration of top-tier programs and advocates working to help our heroes on the homefront. You can learn more about the Bob Woodruff Foundation at bobwoodrufffoundation.org.