Warriors and Quiet Waters – An Energizing Experience
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Last November I volunteered to participate in a fly fishing program for wounded soldiers known as Warriors and Quiet Waters. http://www.warriorsandquietwaters.org/ My participation as a volunteer was fulfilled this week with three exceptionally gratifying days of fellowship and fly fishing with some exceptional Marine warriors wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan. WQW is a Bozeman based foundation organized by Bud Lilly and several other prominent Bozemanites that conducts six fly fishing experiences (FX) for wounded warriors each summer. (Similar to Project Healing Waters) Typically, none of the WWs participating have ever fly fished or even been to Montana. Each FX runs from Tues-Sun and includes a day of instruction/practice fishing, two days of fishing on the big rivers and a day in Yellowstone National Park as well as several laid back social gatherings. The WWs are geared up with top-notch Simms and other manufacturer’s gear that they get to keep. Every day of the FX, the WWs are paired up with a professional guide and volunteer companion all who donate their time to teach and support these WWs. The primary objective of WQW is too allow WWs to realize they can learn and experience an exciting sport—fly fishing despite their wounds. Here’s a short account of the experience from my perspective.
Wednesday-Day 1 Fly Fishing 101 – I was a volunteer companion and honestly did not know what to expect. I was not only astounded at the benefit this program has for the WWs but also the level of dedication that the organizers, guides and volunteers bring to this program. The day started with an informal meeting of guides and volunteers where I was immediately impressed with the guides who were volunteering their time for this FX. It read like a who’s who of old-time experienced Montana guides. There was 100s of years experience in the room. The first half of day one was dedicated to familiarizing the WWs with their fly gear and the basics of fly casting. Bob Jacklin, in an MSU gym, provided a simply outstanding 90 minutes of instruction and demonstrations that immediately showed it effectiveness when the WWs were given the opportunity to practice basic fly casting skills. Almost immediately, the WWs began to believe they could fly fish.
Bob Jacklin giving Dan Strong a bit of personal instruction (That’s my IA hat as a target)After a simple fried chicken lunch, where by divine luck, Bud Lilly and I were able to chat casually about Yellowstone and his Trout Shop (a whole other story), we all moved out to a local private pond to allow the WWs to put their new skills into practice. I was paired with Jack Weiss, a Bozeman old-timer and SSgt Dan Strong—a nine year Marine veteran who suffered wounds last May in Iraq (Nearly amputated right hand and broken back). Jack is a cagey old-timer and Dan is an energetic, young warrior, proud of his service and adjusting well to his injuries. Bottom line at the pond was that Dan caught a good number of fish—his first ever trout and the following image tells the whole story. It wasn’t pretty (the technique), but it certainly fired him up.
Dan’s First Ever TroutThis last picture of him on day one-with a nice Brook Trout came immediately after the following conversation. After catching several fish, Dan was getting tired (wounds) and had to rest. After a short rest, he popped up and said “let’s go catch some more fish”. Another volunteer causally said: “You sound very confident.” Dan replied: “I am a Marine, we are trained to be confident.” Where in he proceeded to make a decent cast and connect with this nice Brook Trout. We should all be grateful that our Marines, Soldiers and Airmen exhibit such confidence.
This Brook Trout resulted from supreme confidenceDay Two – Thursday – Humbling DuPuy’s Spring Creek
Again, I was paired with Jack Weiss and SSgt Strong. Because of the potential for the weather to get nasty, all the guides and warriors went to DuPuys on the Yellowstone. This was my first time to see the creek fished, so that in itself was enjoyable. All the warriors caught fish, although not a lot. Only midges were hatching and the winds made any kind of precision casting pretty tough for these guys. Even the guides were struggling to get fish on the line. Despite the poor fishing, all the warriors were buzzing about the scenery, wildlife and experience. Dan and I waded down about a ½ mile of upper creek in the early afternoon tossing a small bugger at likely targets and he remarked that it was just like going on patrol—slow, deliberate yet always hunting the bad guy. He loved it and said he’s never felt better and more relaxed than he was in the middle of that creek.
Here’s Dan and Jack gearing up at DuPuys
Here’s Dan with his first ever Brown trout from DuPuys—who said spring creek fishing is tough.Day Three – Yellowstone–Although none of the volunteers or guides went along, the warriors spent a long day in Yellowstone National Park—a first for every one of them. They visited most all the famous places—Old Faithful, Canyon, Yellowstone Lake, etc. Incredibly, in a single day, they saw wolves, a grizzly bear, bighorn sheep, moose and of course bison and elk. My guy Dan said it was the most incredible day he’s ever spent and honestly did not know there were places in the U.S. like Yellowstone. Most of the guys were really pumped about the Park experience.
Day Four – A float down the Lower Madison. Dan and I had to break in a new guide-Harvey Harris—Jack had to get back to doing what he does to put beans on the table. Harvey’s a retired Chicago lawyer who does nothing now except guide fly fishers, ski and white water kayak. Cool guy and he has a pretty red, yellow and white drift boat. All six of the warriors floated the same section of the Madison so there was a lot of give and take as we moved down river. Everyone caught fish, although for some reason in the midst of a tremendous Caddis hatch all day, we saw very few rising fish. Again all the warriors were buzzing about the trip, the wildlife and scenery. During lunch on a small island, a mature Bald Eagle put on a fishing demo on the river right in front of us. Most importantly, all the warriors developed distinctly better casting skills and were routinely correcting their own mistakes.
Dan embarking on his first drift boat adventure
Harvey giving Dan nymphing instruction along the Madison
The Marine death grip on a nice whitefishDay Four – Evening at Riverside Country Club – The warrior’s final day was capped with a farewell dinner at a local Country Club. Volunteers, Guides and WQW Board members along with wives/husbands all gathered to pay tribute to the warriors and share a few fish tales. The highlight of the evening was a presentation by the warriors of a shadow box containing flies each warrior tied and caught fish on during their stay along with a Wounded Warrior Battalion tee shirt signed by each warrior. Thanks and Good Byes were said by all and there was much joy and emotion as the evening progressed.
Dan Strong presenting WQW Chairman, Eric Hasting with the shadow box of flies.I was personally very moved by the real and tangible progress—both emotional and technical–these Warriors made over the course of 4 days in Montana. They were clearly thankful for the opportunity that Warriors and Quiet Waters had given them. But more importantly, as many of the guides and volunteers expressed in different ways, was the opportunity that WQW had given us to help these Wounded Warriors heal. The phase “Support Our Troops” can be a bit shallow if all you are doing is buying a $5 ribbon magnet and I’ve personally struggled with how to really support our troops. I would encourage everyone on this board to find local opportunities such as Project Healing Waters and WQW and give your time, energy and skills to help Wounded Warriors where ever you can. They have made extraoridinary sacrifices for our country and our freedom. You will find, as I did, that it is a rewarding and energizing experience.
That is fantastic Mike, way to go and a great job! I am happy people give back to their communities in any way they can.
Eric
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