FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Wounded warriors from the Fort Eustis Warrior Transition Unit teamed up volunteers from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. for a new approach to rehabilitation during a fishing trip at the Dominion Virginia Power Hot Ditch in Chesapeake Dec. 14.
In arctic-like conditions with an average temperature of 24 degrees and wind gusts at a maximum 32 mph, about 10 Soldiers - armed with hand warmers, heavy coats, gloves and boots - angled their hand-tied artificial lures waters of the Elizabeth River for a chance to catch the Red drum and Speckled trout that make the waters their fall and winter home.
Typically, frigid temperatures make for less-than-ideal conditions for fishing but the waters at the Dominion Virginia Power's Chesapeake Energy Center are the exception. The outflow of warm waters from the power plant keeps the water temperature in the mid-50s creating a "hot spot" for winter fishing.
The outing was part of a program between WTUs and PHW, a national organization that helps provide physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active-duty military and veterans through fly-fishing trips and fly-tying classes and demonstrations.
Sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power with volunteers from PHW and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the outing gave recuperating warriors from Forts Eustis and Belvoir and veterans from McGuire Veterans Affairs Hospital in Richmond a chance to relax and try their hand at fly-fishing.
"While I'm out here, I can focus and I'm having fun," said Spc. Byron Franklin, a recovering warrior at the WTU.
The partnership between the PHW began in fall 2009 with visits from Healing Waters representatives and members of Fly Fishers of Virginia to the Eustis WTU. The Project Healing Waters program is managed by the Fly Fishers of Virginia. During the visits, FFV member and PHW regional coordinator Phil Johnson and FFV member Alan Hoover conducted fly-tying workshops and classes. The clinic included basic fly-tying, fly-casting and fishing, and rod building classes for fishermen of all levels from beginners to fishermen with prior fly fishing and tying experience.
"Some of these guys have never seen a fly, much less tied one but when we get'em in here, they just take off with it. It's just amazing how well they take to it," said Mr. Johnson during a recent fly-tying class at the WTU.
Spc. Josh Humberger is one of the Soldiers involved in the program and says that he's gained so much from the classes and the experiences on the fishing expeditions.
"When I'm here I can relax. It's peaceful and gives me a sense of accomplishment. When I'm at work or home, it's too easy to not let go of things, but when I'm here, I can," Specialist Humberger said during the December trip.
The clinics, fly-tying and fishing materials and equipment are provided at no cost to servicemembers and veterans to provide fly-fishing and fly-tying techniques and opportunities to re-learn and fine-tune their motor skills, help them cope with rehabilitation and learn ways to develop new abilities.
Besides fly-tying and fishing techniques, more is gained through the classes and trips than physical rehabilitation; like still waters the benefits for the WTs run deep.
"There's a noticeable difference in the Soldiers who are involved in this," said WTU Commander Capt. Lacrederick Jackson. "It's a calming influence and gives them something other forms of therapy don't."
Captain Jackson and WTU 1st Sgt. Lonny Jones joined the Soldiers, volunteers and their guides for the day, not only as observers but participants as well.
"This is definitely not as easy as it looks," laughed Sergeant Jones as he cast his line out for another try at a bite. "It's good for the Soldiers, though. I can see why they enjoy it. It's peaceful and gives you time to think. I really support a program like this for our Soldiers," he said.
The trip not only provided the Soldiers and veterans with the opportunity to try out and practice their casting skills, it also provided assistant to personnel from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Because the program is a catch-and-release one, the catches were weighed and tagged by the VIMS biologists as part of their on-going study of game fish in the Chesapeake Bay.
John Lucy, a marine scientist recently retired from the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries and an active volunteer in the tagging program, was also on hand as a volunteer working with the Soldiers and veterans.
"This is just a small way that I can give back to our Soldiers who have given so much," Mr. Lucy said.
The participants expressed appreciation not only for the skills and therapeutic benefits they've derived from the program, but the emotional benefits and quietude it offers as well.
"How has this helped me?" Specialist Humberger asked. "I'm smiling, aren't I?"