Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing strives to effectively serve past and present members of the armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of the nation.
The mission of PHWFF is to assist in the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty personnel and disabled veterans through fly-fishing education and outings. PHWFF programs provide basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and fly rod-building classes.
It holds clinics for wounded or injured military personnel and disabled veterans, ranging from beginners to those with previous fly-fishing and fly-tying experience, who are adapting their skills to their new abilities and disabilities. PHWFF programs provide all equipment for classes and fly-fishing day outings.
Registered participants can also apply for Regional and National Destination Outings, and PHWFF covers travel costs and accommodations for these multiday outings. PHWFF is unique in that its volunteers are already teaching classes on an ongoing, long-term basis within the community. For many participants, particularly disabled veterans, the socialization and camaraderie of the classes are just as important as the fishing outings, and fly fishing provides them with a new activity. It is much more than a one-day fishing trip.
PHWFF relies on the Fly Fishers International, Trout Unlimited and independent fly-fishing clubs to conduct the more than 230 programs across the nation. The volunteer staff and outing leaders include experienced fly fishers and guides, all of whom donate their time and knowledge to support the PHWFF participants.
For more information about the Four Corners Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program and classes, contact program leader Paul Wilson at (304) 279-1361 or email him at pjgrunt@gmail.com.
Richard Schleeter is the veterans service officer for the La Plata County Veterans Service Office. He can be reached at 759-0117 or schleeterrs@co.laplata.co.us.
For more information
The La Plata County Veterans Service Office provides information and assistance to veterans and their families. For more information, visit the county website at www.co.laplata.co.us and type “veterans services” in the search window. The Veterans Service Office and the Durango VA Clinic are located at 1970 East Third Ave. The office phone number is 759-0117. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except holidays. Appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, call 382-6150. For clinic appointments, call 247-2214.
Help for vets
The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support to veterans, family and friends. Call (800) 273-8255 and press 1. You also can text professional responders at 838255 or chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.
Health care van service
Disabled American Veterans is running a VA health-care van from Durango to Albuquerque on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from Farmington to Albuquerque on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you want to use the DAV transportation network, contact DAV coordinators at:
Durango area – 442-0149
Cortez area – (970) 676-1116
Farmington/Aztec – (505) 793-1782
