NEWS & STORIES
Patriotic Patterns: Flies Celebrating America
We enjoy our freedoms because of all those who answered the call to service. You can help as we strive to serve those who have made great sacrifices in the service of our Nation.
In the spirit of Independence Day, we are thrilled to share a small selection of incredible patriotic fly patterns that celebrate our great nation
The Patriot Fly
On December 12, 2008 the Board of Trustees of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing proclaimed Charlie Meck’s Patriot Fly as the symbol and signature of our organization, saluting the warriors’ sacrifice and honoring their goal to overcome injury. We steadfastly resolved to use the Patriot Fly to signify our dedication to the men and women of the active services and veterans rehabilitating their wounds.
The September Sky
The “September Sky” fly was tied by Dr. Chuck Moxley to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001 and those families who carry on their legacy. Dr. Moxley tied the first “September Sky” for Dick Cheney immediately after 9/11 and tied this one specifically for our cause. It currently resides in the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, VT as the center-piece to a Campaign Ribbon Fly Plate created by the Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishers for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. The project was headed up by our great friend and supporter John Gort who arranged for various members to create their interpretations of theater ribbons and medals. This beautiful and patriotic art was produced to honor those who served and sacrificed for our country.
The Freedom Punk
This master work of spun deer hair was created by world renown fly-tier Pat Cohen for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. Check out more of Pat’s incredible work at https://rusuperfly.com/
The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782 and a spiritual symbol for native people for far longer than that. This one-of-a-kind Bald Eagle Fly was designed and tied by world renown fly-tier Pat Cohen to support the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program. Check out more of Pat’s incredible work at https://rusuperfly.com/
Red White and Blue New England Streamer Collection
This series of streamer flies was tied by Carrie Stevens, a self-taught fly tier from Maine, who created these patterns during World War II.
Tom Herr: Artistic Fly Tying and Honoring Our Military Veterans
These one-of-a-kind masterworks were tied by long-time Project Healing Waters volunteer Tom Herr to benefit the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing programs and the military communities that they serve. You can view all of Tom’s incredible work at www.artisticflytying.com
Liberty
This one-of-a-kind masterwork was tied by long-time Project Healing Waters volunteer Tom Herr to benefit the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program.
Fully Dressed Salmon Fly
The fly was graciously tied by long-time Project Healing Waters volunteer Tom Herr (http://www.artisticflytying.com/) and presented to the parents of Jason Dunham at a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. event in 2012. Jason was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War.
Courage
This one-of-a-kind masterwork was tied by long-time Project Healing Waters volunteer Tom Herr of www.artisticflytying.com
Honor
This one-of-a-kind masterwork was tied by long-time Project Healing Waters volunteer Tom Herr of www.artisticflytying.com
Valor
This one-of-a-kind masterwork was tied by long-time Project Healing Waters volunteer Tom Herr of www.artisticflytying.com
The Semper Flye
Bob Popovics is a United States Marine (ret) and the founder of the Atlantic Salmon Saltwater Fly Rodders, advisory member of TFO rods, a member of the Renzetti Legacy Tying Team, associated with Tibor Reels and a Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Catskill Fly Fishing Museum Hall of Fame inductee. Though he has refined his fishing techniques and casting skills by traveling around the world, Bob is perhaps best known as a designer of lies (or ”fleyes,” as they’re called) and as a teacher. This one-of-a-kind fly was tied exclusively for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.
The Red White and Blue Intruder
This one-of-a-kind intruder style fly was tied exclusively for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing by world renown fly tier Greg Senyo. “If you tie streamers—heck if you tie anything—then you probably know the name Greg Senyo, which appears on a variety of products with a number of companies: Lazer Dub, Shaggy Dub, Predator Wrap, Articulated Shanks. And that’s just a short list. Steelheaders know him for his swing patterns, which are spectacular in the true sense of the word: they are a spectacle, a visual trick-and-treat for the eyes, be they of the human or fish varieties.” (midcurrent.com).
Have you tied a Patriotic Fly honoring America? If so, we want to see it! Just tag us on social media (@PHWFF Twitter/Instagram and @ProjectHealingWaters on Facebook) or email it to media@projecthealingwaters.org. We would love to celebrate your creativity and talents by highlighting a few of them.