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2018 2-Fly
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Below, David Winkler, Program Lead of our Minneapolis, MN program, recounts the recent Bill Scattergood Invitational held in El Paso, Wisconsin on the Rush River. You can also view over 40 photos of the outing at the bottom of this post.

The inaugural event was held in honor of Bill Scattergood, a longtime Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing volunteer and mentor who passed away on July 26th, 2018.  Remembering Bill Scattergood (1957 – 2018)


Last Thursday was a fantastic day on the Rush River as we honored Bill Scattergood at our annual trip on the Rush River.

We had 23 volunteers and 19 very active participant veterans who enjoyed a great day of weather and a super lunch provided by the Eau Galle – Rush River Sportsman’s Club and the Ellsworth American Legion.  There were reports of lots of fish being caught and when I gather all the photographs, I’ll be posting them on our Facebook page for everyone to enjoy.

For the volunteers who gave up their time, a HUGE thank you!  You are the reason this event and, in fact, Project Healing Waters as an entity, is so successful.  Without you none of this happens.  I’m always impressed by the way you jump in and help a veteran learn how to cast or fish for trout for the first time.  There’s never any hesitation.  You’re there helping make this a memorable experience for everyone.  So on behalf of the veterans we serve and the staff from the VA, thank you.

For the participants, thank you so much for attending.  I think I speak for all the volunteers, it’s so much fun to see you enjoying the day, whether you caught fish or not.  There’s just something about being there on the water in such a beautiful place that makes us all feel so alive!  We’ve just ended the event and I know some of you are already thinking about next year.  So am I!

The people from the club who again served us such a great lunch and provided transportation up and down the river to some of the best fishing holes, I can’t thank you enough.  Words don’t quite capture the gratitude the volunteers and especially the veterans feel.  It’s wonderful to see your now familiar faces when we’re there.  Please pass this along to everyone from your club.  A heartfelt thank you!

Watch for pictures on the Facebook page!  For now, we’ll be back on the regular schedule and fishing at local lakes in a couple of weeks.

Again, thank you all.  We’re blessed by everyone we meet when we’re fishing.