PHWFFC clients in Northern Alberta will now have a huge resource at their disposal. Rather than relying on the schedules of just a few representatives of PHWFFC clients will now be supported by members of Alberta’s largest and most successful fly fishing and fly-tying organization. With over a hundred members the Northern Lights are a tremendous resource for new fly-fishers through their commitment to education, camaraderie and conservation.

PHWFFC will lead the organization of groups and manage the introduction of clients, and the Northern Lights will provide the manpower and experience to help bring our clients to the water.

This exciting partnership will allow PHWFFC to support more individuals, provide more frequent training sessions, and allow PHWFFC to focus on bringing in more of the people who could benefit from the program.

More information about the Northern Lights is available at their website: http://www.nlft.org

Dave’s email says everything -

I would like to thank everyone for their support of Operation Dry Fly , it was a great success. The Picture below says it all. An American and Canadian Vet out enjoying a day on the water ,hard to tell that both had been “Blown Up” in Afghanistan and Iraq. I would also like quote D.B.O Guide Derek Crawshaw who donated his time and knowledge summed it up by stating that “these guys fought so I can be a fishing guide ”

Thanks to these men for their commitment to the freedoms we all hold so dear.

Mark entered our program last year in late October, so all of his casting practice has been on a polished concrete floor up until now. While his first “on the water” outing did not result in any fish, Mark was presented with a Sage VT2 6WT fly rod and a Bauer MXP2 fly reel. The rod was donated to Project Healing Waters Canada by Fish Tales Fly Shop in Calgary, Alberta and the reel spooled with line and backing was donated by Brad Janke of Okotoks Alberta.

Mark spent some time learning to wield the new rod and is planning on some more time on the water. As well Mark is going to be heading to Northern Ontario for five days of fishing in a combined effort by Project Healing Waters Inc. and Project Healing Waters Canada with travel for Canadian Soldiers being made possible by Soldier-On.

This is much of what we are all about here at PHWFFC. Everyone working together for the benefit of our Soldiers and for members of our protective services.

The outstanding friends my wife and I got to know and appreciate during our stay in New Brunswick prompted a few and very positive life transforming decisions. First and foremost, we decided to establish ourselves in this beautiful province. Secondly, we wanted to give back to a community that has been so great and given us so much.

So why PHWFFC? I discovered PHWFFC and what they did through my wife’s work. The organization she works for copes majorly with the injured military and the mourning family and relatives of the deceased. After watching, and I must say by sheer curiosity the promotional DVD that Kevin had left after his briefing to the Joint Personnel Support Unit in Gagetown, I decided at that moment that I wanted to get involved. I strongly believe in the philosophy that drives PHWFFC and can testify to the phenomenal benefits it brings to an individual mentally, physically and last but not least emotionally. The next step was doing some research on the internet, finding the PHWFFC web site and contacting the NB director.

I am an avid fly fisher, fly tier and outdoorsman and have been for many years. As a youngster, I grew up in a supportive and loving family that was not much into neither fishing or outdoor activities. Nevertheless, through self propelled interest and friends sharing the same hobby as I, fishing slowly but surely grew into a full time obsession. Throughout the years, I have fished many rivers and lakes in the province of Quebec. Thanks to a wonderful group of friends whom I am very fortunate to have and cherish, I am now experiencing the fabulous atlantic salmon and trout fishery NB has to offer. Getting out and fishing is without a doubt the best way my wife and I have found to unwind from the stress generated by our work and daily obligations. There is definitely something soothing about the sound of flowing water, a fishing rod and the hope of landing the big one that cannot be expressed in words but must be experienced.

I will be retiring from the Canadian Forces this coming July. I am eager to begin working with the other members of PHWFFC in order to get this project moving forward here in NB. I hope my contribution will help individuals find the therapeutic benefits as well as the serenity fly fishing and tying have to offer.

Screaming reels

Daniel Despres

Across the country our directors have been making contacts within the Military and Civilian arenas to get our name out to those that could benefit from our program. Work continues with local clubs and organizations to establish programs and trips – but most importantly – we’re working with clients who can really benefit from the program.

We’ve got a regular program running at CFB Namao, headed up by Kerry Pitt who has been teaching casting on base. As much about introducing the program as getting CF members involved this is a critical step for us. The more time we spend on base, the more trust we gain from our CF counterparts which is imperative if we are to be able to work 1 on 1 with them.

In addition we’ve had the great pleasure to work with a small group of PTSD sufferers through the CF OSSIS program. These soldiers, who have served over a number of conflicts including Vietnam and the Falklands, have welcomed us into their world. We’ve conducted an introductory fly-tying session already with the support of Thornes Manufacturing who provided some great fly-tying gear and we’re now planning a casting session outside the support facility in the coming month where the tools provided by TFO will come to good use.

One of our contacts within the group has really stepped up to assist us as a liaison to his support-peers and I’d really like to thank Darren for his efforts to bring the program to their sessions.

I look forward to sharing more news from our other regions!

Paul Morrell takes delivery of fly rods from Ken Whellems of TFO

In March, thanks to generous donations by the Chinook Waters Fly Fishing Club and Pembina Pipelines Ltd. Project Healing Waters took delivery of twenty TFO fly rod systems from Ken Whellems of Springbrook Manufacturing and Temple Fork Outfitters.

These rods come complete with reels, line and a durable case all with the dependable reliability associated with TFO products. The rods are being used here in Edmonton as well as Shilo Manitoba and some of them will find their way to New Brunswick as well.

The support from both of the donating organizations and TFO is helping us help the men and women who serve all Canadians. Our deepest thanks to everyone who contributes to advancing our programs across Canada.

Darrell Myskiw – Director MB

Originally uploaded by Project Healing Waters Canada

Now here is a real prairie boy. Growin’ up on the farm 30 miles (yes – he said MILES) northwest of Winnipeg, Darrell Myskiw is a lifelong Manitoban.

He spent 7 yrs in 402 Air Reserve Sqn (‘85-’92). A couple trips to Bagotville, either on course or with the Daks hauling gear up to Frobe (Frobisher Bay). Most of the time however, he was on-base in Winnipeg doing Herc & Dak servicing, transient servicing with and a summer or 2 in maintenance either rigging cables in the tail of daks or loading or unloading training modules in Hercs

Darrell augmented to 408 Sqn in Edmonton for a 6 month deployment to Sinai on a summer peace keeping tour (Roto V) and left the reserves in ‘92. That was a choice he second guesses from time to time….. but hey – no regrets.

His last 20 years have been spent with Bristol Aerospace starting on the F-5 program cranking wrenches, aircraft inspection and into his current role in Quality Assurance. A great career – although sometimes, he claims, he’d rather be trickling JP4 into the leading edge of a T-bird in the middle of January.

Now he’s a family man with 4 children, 2 dogs and a fishing addiction. He’s not sure where he got the bug from – one of mom’s brothers he offers, but he got it good. Darrell grew up fishing brown bullheads on the Assiniboine River backwaters. Darrell says about fly fishing, “Picked up a fly rod from Woolco and flung it whenever I felt like impaling myself. Then – enter the internet, I found a local fly fishing board (Rob Burton’s Fly Fishing Manitoba), that got me going, and going, and going… Thing about this addiction is – I don’t think it stops.”

Now he supports his angling spirit through Fly fishing, fly tying, rod building, and now rod making – working on a bamboo 6wt (Garrison 212E taper). We’ll see how that goes – but as Darrell says: “as long as it has a fin – I’m o.k. with chasing it“.

When he found Kerry Pitt’s post on a Canadian forum looking for potential regional directors, he jumped at the opportunity.

“Can’t easily explain my quick decision but it’s the right thing to do… payback and paying it forward… I’m not sure. Just know it’s right.”

Richard Chalke, Director at Large – BC

Originally uploaded by Project Healing Waters Canada

Richard is an avid angler….some might call it passion, but we know it better as addiction.

The sport is in is blood after over 30 years of angling experience dating back to fishing the rivers of southwest England as a child. Any time he could arrange to be dropped off at the river or reservoir Richard would leap at the opportunity – like many of us – he was as happy to land a fish as he was to simply sit hoping all day!

Over the years Richard has fished for many different species using many methods around the world. He moved emigrated to Canada from England just a lad at 12, settling into the Interior of British Columbia. It was those waters on which he discovered the passion of fly-fishing. Now Richard stalks fish with both single and double handed fly rods and targets all game species that British Columbia has to offer.

Well versed in the still waters of the BC interior and lower mainland regions as well as the many streams and rivers that his wonderful province has to offer, he places high regard on ethical angling and conservation believing that they greatly outweigh the ability or need to place a fish in the freezer.

However proficient Richard has become on the water – he believes there is something to learn every time he goes out. He is an active fly tyer, and participates in several internet based fishing related forums and actively participate in dialogues offering advice and sharing stories of fishing adventures past and present.

Richard is currently married (19 years) with two wonderful children and works with the Vancouver Police.

Richard supports our activities in British Columbia working with our BC Director Jack Simpson.

Jack Simpson, Director BC

Originally uploaded by Project Healing Waters Canada

Jack Simpson currently calls Williams Lake, BC home and his base of operations. A veteran of both Canadian and U.S forces Jack is a natural fit for Project Healing Waters Canada. His military career included a ten year stint from 1960-1970 as a naval aviator and close air support combat pilot, and he retired from government service in 2008.

Married for 35 years to Grace, and with two adult children, Jack is now the Director of Fly Fishing and fly rod designer for a Canadian manufacturer of fishing & outdoor equipment.

His one line bio? “Obsessed fly fisher, tyer and rod builder for a quarter century.”

Jack looks after our primary concerns throughout BC.