Project Healing Waters

The weekend is officially here! Who is spending some time on the water today or tomorrow? #getoutside #projecthealingwaters #flyfishingsaveslives #onthefly

Regional Highlight - Freshwater fly fishing in South Florida.  You asked for regional tips and we are here to deliver! Today we will kick it off with tips and tricks for targeting warm water species in South Florida, primarily covering freshwater systems like urban canals and ponds. Let's get some of the important gear questions out of the way. Now everyone fishes with the gear that they love, so these are recommendations from individuals who have spent considerable amount of time fly fishing in Florida.  Rod Setup - an 8wt is the perfect rod if you can only bring one rod to Florida as it covers a wide range of freshwater species but also doubles down as a solid salt water rod for species like redfish, juvenile tarpon, snook, and other fish that cruise the flats. Reel - Ideally you are rocking something that can handle salt water, you want to be able to push the gear. Many of the canals in south Florida are actually brackish (contain salt). Line - a wf line will cover you for almost all of your Florida needs. What you decide to use for leader is up to you. Some use premade tapered leaders, others create their own, and a lot of people will throw straight 12-20lb 5-8' leaders off a spool. Fly selection - a lot of this will come down to personal preference but smaller baitfish and shrimp patterns with and without weight absolute crush it in this region. Black and purple is hard to beat when it comes to Florida freshwater, but don't be afraid to throw natural sand colors or even bright pinks or yellows as well. Now let's find some water. Whether it be an urban canal or a residential lake, almost every body of water will be holding exotics, large mouth bass, other natives, and even salt species like tarpon and snook. A lot of your fishing will be sight fishing, giving you the ability to not only watch the eat but truly learn how the fish behaves. Look for structure, whether it's a shopping cart or rocks. A tick tick pause, is a solid retrieve for both blind casting and sight fishing. While we are limited to character counts for posts, we gladly will answer any other questions in the comments! #flyfishing #flyfishflorida #onthefly #projecthealingwaters

Isolation can be one of the toughest challenges for Veterans. At Project Healing Waters, our programs focus on fostering connectedness and building a strong sense of community for every participant. By supporting our mission, you’re helping to create a space where Veterans can heal, connect, and rediscover joy through the transformative power of fly fishing and camaraderie. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have served. For more information, visit: projecthealingwaters.org #SupportOurVeterans #HealingThroughCommunity #FlyFishingForGood #ProjectHealingWaters #VeteranCare

Our mission to support Veterans through fly fishing, community building, and the healing power of the outdoors wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteers. From teaching fly tying or casting to assisting Veterans on the water or helping craft a fly rod, there are countless ways you can make a difference. Volunteer opportunities span across our programs, every contribution brings hope and healing to those who served. Join us in transforming lives. Together, we can create a stronger community of healing and support. For more information on how to get involved, visit: https://lnkd.in/eEtud2Sd #VolunteerWithUs #VeteranSupport #HealingThroughFlyFishing #CommunityBuilding

We want to hear from you! What type of content, discussions, and topics are you wanting to see more of from us this year? We are here to support and inspire the Veterans that we serve, and your input is vital to helping us do just that. Whether you’d like to see more success stories, fly tying tutorials, local program highlights, or discussions about how our community is making an impact, we want to know! Your feedback and input will help us create more meaningful content for years to come.  #projecthealingwaters #flyfishingsaveslives #community #veteranshelpingveterans

"I’ll never forget my first day with Project Healing Waters. I showed up after a friend had told me about the program, and to be honest, I didn't want to go at first. But the moment I stepped into the water and tossed my first cast, something changed. The volunteers didn’t just teach me the steps to it, they gave me room to breathe and figure it out on my own as well, which is something I definitely needed to do. One of the volunteers shared his own story, and I realized there was a lot more people dealing with their own issues than just me. I definitely will be back." Josh L., U.S. Army RET. These are the stories that keep us going. Get involved today by visiting our website and finding your local program. #projecthealingwaters #veteranshelpingveterans #flyfishingsaveslives #flyfishing

"I found fly fishing during my transition out of the service, surrounded by fellow vets who understood where I was coming from. But over time, it’s become so much more than just a sport. It’s given me lifelong friendships with people from all walks of life, veterans and civilians alike. It’s a way to share what I’ve learned, to pass on the lessons and the craft to others, and to keep pushing myself to grow both on and off the water." Jeremy M. USMC Veteran and PHW participant Kicking the weekend off with some wisdom that hits home for many of us. #flyfishingsaveslives #projecthealingwaters #flyfishing #getoutside

Every day, we are inspired by the strength and resilience of the Veterans we serve. Our mission is driven by the belief that every Veteran deserves the opportunity to heal, thrive, and rediscover joy. As we reflect on the lives we’ve touched, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the countless individuals, participants, volunteers, and donors who make our work possible. Together, we can continue to honor and support those who have given so much for our country. For more information, please visit: projecthealingwaters.org #ProudToServe #VeteransHealing #CommunityOfSupport

We are thrilled to welcome Rear Admiral Cindy Kuehner, USN (Ret.), as the new Chair of our Board of Trustees at Project Healing Waters! With a distinguished career, including leadership as the 26th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps and deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral Kuehner brings exceptional experience and passion to our mission of helping Veterans heal. As we celebrate 20 years of impactful service, her leadership marks an exciting new chapter for our organization. Together, we’ll continue building a stronger community of healing for those who serve. For the full Press Release, please click here:  https://lnkd.in/ebTfbwWn

Let them go, so someone else can feel that same pull, that same rush. Catch and release isn’t just about conservation for us, it’s about respect. For the fish, the water, and the next person who needs this as much as we do. #throwbackthursday #flyfishingsaveslives #catchandrelease #projecthealingwaters #flyfishing