Knoxville PHWFF hosted its first regional group outing at the Rabbit Run Retreat in Norris, TN on April 22-24, 2016.. This was the first of many such outings enabling fellow vets in the PHWFF programs to get together for a weekend retreat at Rabbit Run.We can all agree that East Tennessee has some great fishing as PHWFF Knoxville host the first Rabbit Run Retreat in Norris TN. The peaceful nature of the water brought out the rainbow, brook and brown trout. Whether the veterans were wadding or flowing down the river in a drift boat they were accompanied by some of the area’s most experienced fly fishing guides. It was a great event filled with fly fishing, fly tying, food and we are still waiting on the winner of that board game!
Highlights from the weekend came by Frank Yost’s 20 inch brown trout as well as to get to be with other fellow PHWFF vets from across our region.
Everyone was laughing, joking, cooking and just being their selves. On the first night everyone was eager and excited to get around the fly tying table to share their fly pattern of choice and to learn the flies to use on the Clinch River for the next morning. Saturday night; everyone was telling stories about the one that gotten away and so joyous for Frank and his 20 inch trout.
Our deepest thanks to Rabbit Run Retreat and all those who contributed their time and talents to making this such a special weekend. We’re pleased to share an email from Buzz Buffington to the Guides who selflessly donated their time:
“Thank you so much for giving your day Saturday (& Sunday for some) to guide Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) veterans at Miller Island. They all had a great time. I didn’t have Dinner with them Saturday evening but Robert Bogus our Assistant Program leader said everyone was in high spirits and raved about how much they enjoyed the day. This is what we call Recreational Therapy and it helps the veterans cope. They appreciate learning from you and several talked with me about how much they learned and hoped they could remember. Thanks, you made their day and they will remember it for a long time”
