Project Healing Waters Milwaukee holds its first Fishing Outing

Milwaukee, WI - Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee enjoyed a morning of fly fishing on Thursday, August 20. The event took place at the newly renovated Lakeshore State Park, located east of the Summerfest grounds on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Ten veterans were partnered up with volunteers from the Southeast Wisconsin and Aldo Leopold Chapters of Trout Unlimited. The volunteers served as fly-fishing mentors for the veterans, many of whom had never fly-fished before.

Inclement weather created a hectic start to the day. Morning rain showers sent everyone scurrying for raingear before anyone had a chance to make a cast. The veterans quickly adjusted and were soon casting crayfish and streamer patterns into the lagoon with the hopes of enticing a largemouth bass, carp, brown or rainbow trout. Then the weather changed in typical Wisconsin fashion. An hour after heading out to fish in steady rains, winds shifted and the skies cleared in a matter of minutes. The bright sunshine quickly dried out the wet raingear but blue skies seemed to push the fish deeper into the water column, just out of reach of the fly lines.

Despite the lack of fish activity, all of the veterans had an enjoyable experience. Many had a chance to see the flies that they had tied just weeks earlier in the water on the end of their lines. Lunch was provided after the event by VA staff who accompanied the veterans. A high level of camaraderie quickly developed between veterans and mentors. Many are already talking of the “next time we go fishing”. The veterans were appreciative of the efforts made by the mentors. Likewise, mentors from Trout Unlimited came away humbled by the opportunity to give back to those who have served our Country. While the volunteer efforts may seem trivial when compared to the sacrifices made by these men and women, they know that nothing else provides healing quite like time on the water.

Project Healing Waters would like to thank all of the mentors for volunteering their time, equipment, knowledge, and patience. The program would not be the success that it is without the efforts of these volunteers. SEWTU will continue “healing those who serve” through the implementation of the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee. For more information about this program, please contact Mike Kuhr by email (mikek.trout@yahoo.com)