634 | Fly Fishings Impact on Veterans and Volunteers with AJ Gottschalk from Project Healing Waters

Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/634

Presented By: Stonefly Nets, TroutRoutes, Togens Fly Shop

In this podcast, Dave talks about In this episode, AJ Gottschalk of Project Healing Waters talks about how their organization helps veterans through fly fishing. But did you know it also benefits volunteers just as much? Today, we’ll explore how their conservation program makes a difference and the opportunities to get involved.

2:22 - Growing up on Florida's southwest coast, AJ's first memory is getting stuck in the live well of his dad's boat at around age two and a half. He talked about how this memory resurfaced as he watched his own young son, begin to form his first memories.

4:16 - AJ recalls catching mega snook in Florida but truly fell in love with fly fishing during grad school in Buffalo, New York. Fishing the Great Lakes tributaries, he became an expert in drifting an indicator and later, swinging flies.

7:05 - AJ shares how he recently enjoyed using the rod for swinging small flies like the Partridge and Orange. He loves this simple yet demanding fly, especially when getting the partridge wrap just right.

11:15 - AJ continued with sharing his journey to becoming the creative director for Project Healing Waters. He mentioned his first encounter with the organization while working for Allen Fly Fishing, where they donated rods, reels, and hooks for fly tying, which showcased the program's impact.

13:36 - In 2005, Navy Captain Ed Nicholson founded Project Healing Waters at Walter Reed. He saw disabled veterans struggling and introduced them to fly casting. Now, the organization is nearing its 20th anniversary, continuing to support veterans from all service eras.

18:40 - AJ is proud to say that Project Healing Waters features diverse programs nationwide, mostly in Denver, Colorado Springs, and the National Capital region.

20:31 - Check out their website at projecthealingwaters.org. You'll find a locations list to see if there's a program near you. You can connect with a field support specialist, a regional coordinator, or your local program leader to find out when activities like fishing trips, fly tying sessions, or rod building meetings are happening.

29:57 - AJ highlightend an event that happened at Mosser Creek. Supporters of Project Healing Waters have made a lasting impact. One event that stand out most to him is the gathering of 15 veteran anglers and sponsors in Bridgewater, Virginia, bringing together the local community from Harrisonburg.

33:53 - AJ shared how his interest in fishing grew from studying archeology in grad school.

40:31 - AJ begins to explain how for many veterans, their call to serve doesn't end when they leave the military. It's natural for them to continue serving their communities and the natural environment that brings healing.

50:14 - He then brought up that there are many ways to support Project Healing Waters beyond writing a check. One saying goes, "The best ability is availability," emphasizing the value of donating time.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/634