North Carolina Deputy Regional Coordinator Andrew J. “Bear” Owings writes about the recent PHWFF North Carolina Regional Fly Casting Competition Finals below.  The Inaugural Fly Casting Competition is being hosted in-conjunction with Fly Fishers International (FFI).  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 Regional 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.

Project Healing Fly Fishing Participants from across North Carolina gathered Monday at the John E. Pechmann Fishing and Education Center in Fayetteville to compete in the PHWFF NC Fly Casting Finals.  Competitors were scored on a series of casts that required pinpoint accuracy and a distance component.

Related: The Inaugural Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Casting Competition>

When the last cast was measured Rod Maclean from the Fayetteville Program took 1^st place; Ed Bradway from Richlands, NC finished second, and Randy Hawkins from Winston Salem, NC earned the 3^rd place spot. 

Rod’s win qualifies him to compete in the PHWFF national finals to be held in Boise Idaho at the Fly Fishers International Fair this August. 

Special thanks to Tom Carpenter, Fayetteville Program Lead, and Director of the Pechmann Center for organizing the Event and Curtis Fleming of Fly Rod Chronicles for providing a FRC Signature Rod to this years winner. 

The Casting Competition was made possible by a grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF).  BWF leverages its expertise and collaborative network to find, fund and shape innovative programs that help our impacted veterans, service members and their families thrive. Receiving a grant from BWF is an honor that recognizes the dedication, focus and effectiveness of our staff, volunteers and supporters.