Project Healing Waters-Fly Fishing

The sport of fly fishing -- tying flies, learning to cast and venturing to rivers in pursuit of fish -- is proving to be ideal therapy for disabled veterans working through their physical and emotional recovery back home. S-R Outdoors editor Rich Landers researched a feature story about a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing trip on Crab Creek on March 13, 2013. The outing featured Vietnam veteran Harold Watters and Iraq veteran Shawn Graves, who were being interviewed and filmed for an episode on Trout TV with the program's host Hilary Hutcheson. The trip was guided by G.L. Britton of Double Spey Outfitters on five miles of the creek he leases for outings north of Sprague. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing began in 2005 serving wounded military service members returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, PHWFF has expanded nationwide and recruits volunteers to mentor all disabled vets who want to give the sport a try. These photos capture some of the experience on Crab Creek that day.

Section:Gallery

Sat., May 11, 2013

Trout TV host Hilary Hutcheson greets a Project Healing Waters group to film an episode on fly fishing on Crab Creek with disabled veterans on crisp morning, March 13, 2013. Pictured from left are Hutcheson, fly fishing guide G.L. Britton, Vietnam veteran Harold Watters of Cheney, Iraq veteran Shawn Graves of Medical Lake, and project organizer and Navy veteran Norm Scott.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vietnam veteran Harold Watters falls into Crab Creek while fishing with Hilary Hutcheson of Trout TV. He said it's not the first time he's been down and had to pick himself up.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vietnam Veteran Harold Watters progresses well during his fly casting lesson with Hilary Hutcheson of Trout TV.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vietnam Veteran Harold Watters gets a fly casting lesson from Trout TV host Hilary Hutcheson during a Project Healing Waters fishing trip on Crab Creek on March 13, 2013.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Iraq War veteran Shawn Graves, left, gets fly fishing advice from fishing guide G.L. Britton during a Project Healing Waters outing on Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Iraq War veteran Shawn Graves, left, gets fly fishing advice from fishing guide G.L. Britton during a Project Healing Waters outing on Crab Creek

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vietnam Veteran Harold Watters is interviewed by Trout TV host Hilary Hutcheson during a Project Healing Waters fishing trip on Crab Creek on March 13, 2013. In the background is Norm Scott, a project organizer in Spokane. Cameraman Elgin Smith videoed the day for a Trout TV episode scheduled for March 2014.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vietnam Veteran Harold Watters and Trout TV host Hilary Hutcheson fight back tears during an interview in which Watters describes why he ties flies to commemorate fallen soldiers he knew in Vietnam. In the background is Norm Scott, Project Healing Waters organizer in Spokane.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Fly patterns hooked in the cap of Vietnam Veteran Harold Watters stem from Project Healing Waters programs, including a fly that lured his first fish on a fly rod during an outing to Crab Creek, and a fly he created in a fly tying class to commemorate the Vietnam War campaign ribbon.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Hilary Hutcheson of Trout TV plays the first fish of the day on Crab Creek for her cameraman. Fishing Guide G.L. Britton assists in the water as Vietnam Vet Harold Watters looks on.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Fishing guide G.L. Britton prepares to release a rainbow back into Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Iraq veteran Shawn Graves finds some quiet time for casting into Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Trout TV cameraman Elgin Smith focuses on veteran Harold Watters as he hooks and lands a trout in Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Vietnam Veteran Harold Watters releases a rainbow trout he caught with the help of fishing guide G.L. Britton during a Project Healing Waters fishing trip on Crab Creek on March 13, 2013.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Another trout is caught and released during a Project Healing Waters outing at Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
The Trout TV camera missed the strike when veteran Harold Watters hooked a trout on Crab Creek, so fishing guide G.L. Britton helps the angler reenact the moment for the video.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Trout TV's Hilary Hutcheson works with Vietnam Vet Harold Watters on casting and presentation during the Project Healing Waters fly fishing trip to Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Trout TV's Hilary Hutcheson plucks a stonefly pattern from her fly box that proves to be productive on Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Fishing guide G.L. Britton says "I want one of those," after Trout TV's Hilary Hutcheson came up with a fly pattern that proved to be productive on Crab Creek.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Norm Scott, Project Healing Waters-Fly Fishing coordinator in Spokane looks, on as veterans fish on Crab Creek. "Seeing them smile makes this all worthwhile," he said.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
The trout of all trout -- almost too big for the net -- capped the day for Shawn Graves and the Project Healing Waters group fly fishing at Crab Creek.