Project Healing Waters at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Facility

Project Healing Waters was founded by the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited. The purpose is to serve our military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled. PHW introduces fly fishing and fly tying to our wounded Vets to support them during their physical and emotional recovery.

The project began in Washington, DC and then expanded nationwide offering its services and programs to active military personnel and veterans at hospitals throughout the country. MN has its very own active Project Healing Waters sponsored by the local chapter of Trout Unlimited (TCTU) and fishing clubs, tying clubs and individuals who volunteer their time. Consider volunteering for the Vet’s who fought for our freedom.

• Add fishin' with a vet to your already busy schedule!


• Make your TU contribution of time and energy to a vet!


• Locate that old single-action reel in your collection (a vet needs it)!


• Share some of your fur and feather collection in a session with a vet!


• Figure out how to cast with one arm... perhaps sitting!


• Imagine a woolly bugger made with one vet's hand and one of yours!
  

For more information contact TCTU or stay tuned for updates on upcoming events/outings.

Casting for Recovery comes to the MN/WI

Casting for Recovery is a national non-profit support and educational program for breast cancer survivors. The organization was founded in 1996 by a breast surgeon/angler who realized the casting movement could help heal the wounds from breast cancer surgery. In 2008 37 retreats were offered in 27 states. Survivors are invited to a retreat for fly fishing activities tailored to promote physical, emotional and spiritual healing. The sport of Fly Fishing is an effective tool used to create gentle exercise while the counseling curriculum benefits women at any stage of treatment of recovery. It’s now time for the Midwest! July 17-19, Hartford has sponsored a WI retreat at Knapp Creek in Frederic, WI.

Any woman who has experienced breast cancer can attend a retreat providing she received clearance from her physician. Each retreat has a limit of 14 participants to ensure personal attention is provided for each survivor. The staff includes medical professionals, a nurse, psychotherapist, physical therapist and fly fishing instructors. Instruction will be taught on fly casting, knot-tying, catch-and-release fishing, entomology and basics on gear. Then it’s time for the river for time of relaxation with nature and a fly rod!

Ways you can get involved!Participate – sign up to be a participant via info@castingforrecovery.org Donate – equipment for participants to take home, gifts for participants, cash, etc - please contact Kim Rasmussen at kim.rasmussen@hartfordlife.com or Sarah at sarahsanford@yahoo.com