Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

The Monthly Current | October 2025

Casting Forward Together

Trip & Event Highlights

As October arrives, our 2025 trip season is winding down. This year we completed an incredible 22 multi-day trips and 24 single-day trips, not even counting all of our TAVF outings. That kind of season doesn’t happen without the dedication of our Event Coordinators, Trip Leads, Assistant Trip Leads, and Mentors. You all are the heartbeat of our trips, making sure every detail is covered and every participant is supported. Please take a moment to thank those who pour so much time, care, and energy into making these experiences possible.

With the trip season closing, we’re gradually shifting into our education season. Two 15-week fly-tying cohorts have launched and are already off to a strong start. Our first rod-building class wrapped up this past weekend, and another is scheduled to begin in November. We’ve also held several casting clinics this fall, with more fly-tying and rod-building sessions being posted soon on our website. A huge thank you to our instructors and mentors who keep these skills alive and thriving, you’re building more than rods and flies, you’re building confidence.

Our Education Lead, Mike “Monty” Montgomery, has also been busy coordinating something special. We’re looking forward to welcoming two of the most respected names in fly fishing, Pat Dorsey and Landon Mayer, as guest speakers later this winter. Thank you Tom and Tom for getting that ball rolling, what an opportunity for our community to learn from the best.

We also had an incredible PHW showing at Landon Mayer’s “Clean the Dream.” It was a powerful event to be part of, and those who attended were proud to stand with such a meaningful cause. If you’d like to see more, check out the recap on YouTube:

2025 Clean the Dream.

Hopefully next year we will have an even bigger PHW turnout.

PHW National Update

There really isn’t a big National update this month, so instead I’ll just share what’s on my heart. The truth is, the PHW National staff team is nothing short of amazing. They are the ones behind the curtain who make it possible for us to do what we do here in COS.

From Brian keeping reimbursements moving to Jerry providing steady leadership and guidance, from Amy Milne planning every single National trip to Geno making sure we get the gear and materials we need for everything from fishing to fly tying, these folks carry a huge load on behalf of all of us.

Add in Daisy keeping the systems humming, Cheryl providing quality oversight, and Saint and Chris (Woody .1) steering the vision of PHW forward, and you start to see just how much heart and horsepower they bring every day.

It can be easy to forget just how much happens at the National level to make our day-to-day work possible. Please remember, we are all on the same team, rowing in the same direction, and their efforts are a big part of why we get to keep serving Veterans on the water. And if you ever get the chance to communicate with any of them, the very first thing you should do is thank them.

Backcast Team Update

One of the most exciting ideas on the horizon is the PHW-COS Base Camp proposal. This concept came from Joe Locke, and he will be working alongside Jim Culligan, our Backcountry Trip Lead, to bring it to life. The heart of the idea is simple but powerful, create a dedicated Base Camp near prime fishing access that allows us to host continuous rotations of trips at a fraction of the cost of hotels.

Base Camp will not replace our regular trip schedule entirely. We will still plan on offering a wide variety of trips to the same incredible locations we enjoyed this past year. Again, our goal is to work toward getting everyone on the water to the best of our ability, while also meeting any and all access needs. The Base Camp would simply add more opportunities, helping us reach even more Participants while strengthening connections for all within our tribe. We are also looking at ways to help get our Participants’ families more involved, if they would like to be. If you’d like to be part of the team shaping this, please email our Program Engagement Lead, Amy Stockham, and let her know you’re interested in volunteering.

We also want to thank every volunteer and participant who completed the program engagement survey. Right now, we are at about 484 Participants and 165 Volunteers. The results gave us something to celebrate, 67 Participants are ready to also step in as Volunteers. By taking on dual status, they’ll not only give back to our community but also open the door to apply for all-expense-paid National PHW trips, from steelhead fishing in Michigan to casting in the Tetons of Wyoming and Yellowstone in Montana. That is a special opportunity we hope many will take advantage of.

Looking ahead, we will be fine tuning our TAVF program to make it almost plug and play for both mentors and participants. And starting this December, our Trip Planning Team will begin mapping out the entire 2026 season with the goal of having everything coordinated by mid-February. Thanks to the efforts of Tom Alto and Tom Woodring, we already have access secured to over three miles of premier, private Tarryall River water. That is an incredible addition that will make next season unforgettable. Add that to Camp Alexander and the Lost Dutchman Resort for TAVF, and we have an amazing lineup ahead.

None of this happens without you. Thank you to our volunteers, our participants, and everyone who continues to give their time and heart to make PHW-COS stronger every season. Special thanks to Joe Locke and Jim Culligan for pushing forward bold ideas like Base Camp and Backcountry Fly Fishing Trips.

Final Note from Woody & Dday

As we close out another month, we want to thank both our Participants and our Volunteers. This program only works because both sides of the river show up. Participants bring the courage to step into something new, to learn, to heal, and to connect. Volunteers bring the heart to give their time, share their skills, and walk alongside every cast and every story. Together, you create the current that carries us forward.

This season has been full, 22 multi-day trips, 24 single-day trips, countless TAVF outings, and now the start of our fall education programs. Every one of those moments was powered by the partnership between Participants and Volunteers. You’ve shown again and again that when we come together, great things happen.



As we shift into education season and start preparing for 2026, remember that our shared goal is simple, to get as many people on the water as possible and to create a space where healing, connection, and belonging are real. None of this happens without you, and thankfully we get to do it side by side.

We’re grateful to be in this with you! - Woody & Dday

Program Lead | Woody Boyd

Contact: woody.boyd@projecthealingwaters.org

Woody oversees the COS PHW program, guiding the program’s mission of supporting veterans through fly fishing. He ensures all teams work collaboratively to provide exceptional experiences for Participants.