They say everything is bigger in Texas. The hospitality was no different as the South-Central Region hosted a Volunteer Rod Building Workshop Feb 2nd & 3rd in San Marcos, Texas. The purpose of the clinic was to teach regional volunteers how to build a functional fly rod. Volunteers received step by step instructions from finding the spine to applying the finishing touches and more. This type of training is essential for volunteers to learn how to instruct their participants to complete this process as well.

This was the first of a many training events that Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing will begin conducting throughout the year. Catching a fish is fun, but catching a fish with a rod that you’ve made is much more exciting. Rod building is a Core Activity of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing due to the physical and emotional benefits that it offers.

These activities assist participants with the ongoing physical and mental rehabilitation. Building a fly rod requires focus and the use of fine motor skills, allowing the participants to exercise parts of the body that need attention that assist in their recovery. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is dedicated to assisting disabled active duty service members and disabled veterans with their recovery through the sport of fly fishing. However, they also understand volunteers deserve training to better to help our participants.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing hosts a National Fly Rod Building Competition each year that allows its participants to display skills that they have learned from the volunteers during this time. The winners of the Competition have the opportunity to attend Bamboo Bend, a nine day bamboo rod building class in Grayling Michigan or a fly fishing trip to the Little Red River in Arkansas. This year, thanks to a generous grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation we’re able to bring this great activity to even more programs and participants.

While we were there, we had the opportunity to give a distinguished service award to Chris and Stacy George.  Chris and Stacy have been letting the San Marcos PHWFF Program use their ranch to hold weekly meetings and outings.  Our organization is proud to have people like them on the front lines serving our mission.  For more information on how you can get involved click here.