by Dave Patton
NMT is wrapping up its third year of support to wounded warriors and veterans through the PHW program we sponsor. We work very closely with the Albuquerque Veteran’s Administration Medical Center to identify participants and they support our program by offering the Recreation Hall for fly tying and the grounds for casting.
Our first year’s program started in June 2009 and consisted of four three-week sessions of fly tying, casting, and fishing. We have evolved into what is essentially a year round program that begins in February with fly tying during the colder winter months, fly casting as things begin to warm up, and group and individual fly fishing outings that begin in June and end in November. We wrap up each year by tying flies and hanging them inside clear balls for the Christmas tree.
NMT’s PHW 2011 program touched over 50 veterans this year at various tying, casting, and fishing outings. Our group fishing outings are conducted at the Brush Ranch on the Pecos, which is an amazingly therapeutic venue. The owners of the Brush Ranch are exceptionally generous to our program and we could not do what we do without them. We had individual outings at the Pecos Historical Park for the first time this year, but our use of this location was cut short by the fires this summer and low water conditions. As a result, we visited the San Juan with veterans five times starting in August. The pictures in this article are from our last trip to the San Juan. We had additional support for the second year in a row from Heads Up Fly Fishing and guide Ryan McRorie (970 984-8433, mail@headsupflyfishing.com) provided his boat and services to our program. Ryan, whose dad is a retired Marine, is a great guide with outstanding knowledge of the river and just the right touch with veterans.
Our program got a big boost when NMT member Jena Wilmoth, with some help from Brian Beaudoin, also an NMT member, obtained a program-altering donation of $5,432 from the national Elks Lodge organization. We are using these funds to purchase much improved tying vises and tools and fly rods for our program. Thank them on behalf of New Mexico Trout when you them at a meeting or the coming 2012 Conclave. NMT’s PHW program is going great, but we can always use a few more volunteers.
If you want to participate in the program as a volunteer, please contact me Dave Patton. More information on our Project Healing Waters page.
Dave,
Was presently surprised to see my photo in your newsletter. I, for one enjoyed as I am sure the rest that participated in the PHW program that your organization (NM Trout), the Veterans Administration and all the great NMT volunteers provided to us veterans this year. Thank you.