This experience had a profound effect on me, and not just for the joy of catching such an amazing fish.
NEWS & STORIES
Stories from the field
Buda’s King Salmon
01.22.25
Hampton Roads
Oak Heart Lodge
By Al Budaszewski, PHW Hampton Roads
As a kid I learned to fish casting worms with a zebco 33 for perch, shiners, and the occasional rainbow trout in the river behind my house in Warner, New Hampshire. Every now and then a fly angler would show up, catching more and bigger trout than I ever thought possible.
These anglers fascinated me for more than 40 years until a fellow Veteran told me about Project Healing Waters.
Since I’d recently retired from the Navy and met the criteria, I decided to check out PHW since I’ve been fishing fresh and saltwater my whole life. Upon joining the program in Yorktown, Virginia, I was immediately immersed in rod building, fly tying, and listening to the fishing stories from all the members.
I’ve come to enjoy this part the most, as well as the friendships I’ve made attending our meetings.
In September, I was selected to travel to Oak Heart Lodge in Newaygo, Michigan. For me this would be my first experience catching fish on a fly.
