Trout Fishing The East Branch of the Brandywine

Volunteer Matt Seymour of our Coatesville, PA program checks-in with an update from this great program in our Pennsylvania Region below. 

You can stay in touch with the PHWFF Coatesville, PA Program by following their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ProjectHealingWatersCoatesvilleVAMC

We had a balmy spring evening last Wednesday as the vets and volunteers met behind Miller’s Automotive Services on Wallace Avenue in Downingtown. Nine vets took a shot at catching trout in the East Branch of the Brandywine assisted by 12 volunteers. This became an object lesson in the relative challenges of catching a trout in faster water vs. plucking sunfish and bass from a pond! Let’s just say few fish were harmed during the duration of our visit. (Three were caught.) 

Special thanks to Mike Miller who made his venue an addition to our expanding list of outings.

We gratefully welcomed a new volunteer, Shauna Holden, and two new vets! Women volunteers have been extremely challenging to attract and keep. We know when we have women volunteers it greatly increases the likelihood that some of our lady vets will come to our outings.

The Wild Bunch:

Shawn, our Royersford Assistant Program Leader and Chris Riciutti

 

Wet wading the best part of a run …

 

 

Cigars at dusk ..

Not a trout …..

Also not a trout …

 

Considering the tree canopy, the casting was well above average. A lot of progress is being made is a relatively short period of time . Those who so desire can even make their own fly rod at Project Healing Waters in Coatesville.

 

Coming Soon:

1. Tuesday, May 28 – Tying & recruiting, Main dining Hall, 11-1PM

2. Wednesday , May 29, regular tying, rod building, tall tale telling; Blg. 5, 6-8 PM

3. Wednesday , June 5th, Fishing at O’Neil’s Pond, Elverson  (Details coming soon!)

 

Special Thanks:

 

To Dave Zamos, FFI Casting Instructor for his gifts to fledgling fly fishers! (dazamos@comcast.net).