Fly fishing club brings new life to veterans

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Not unlike the movie “Avatar,” one local fly fishing club has their own “way of water.”

Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing was founded in 2011 and, as they wrote on their website, they’ve been “growing ever since, touching the lives of veterans and promoting the healing powers of water.”

The idea is to provide veterans, who may be struggling with PTSD, another person who’s experienced the same horrors they have, and allow them a resource and an outlet to heal through friendship, conversation and, of course, fly fishing.

“The whole purpose of it is to build camaraderie and to get these people who are having problems with PTSD to have other people who have experienced what they’ve experienced to talk to about this,” said Joe Gallagher, a member of the board of directors for Platte Rivers.

The best part about this group? Everything they offer is free. All classes, equipment, and trips are provided free of charge. Classes include basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building for veterans of all skill levels. They even offer single and multi-day trips for the hyper adventurous that can range from spots around the region to locations around the country.

They also have programs in Cheyenne and Laramie as well as Loveland, Greeley and Fort Collins, Colorado.

To add more fuel to fire, Platte Rivers also caters to all skill levels and abilities. From newcomers straight off the boat to seasoned pros, Platte Rivers wants anyone and everyone from all branches of the military. Even for those who aren’t veterans but want to get involved, they can always use more volunteers.

“There are tons of people in our organization that are interested in fly fishing, that want to give back to the community, that volunteer to help,” said Gallagher.

Their mission, as written on their website, is “To provide rest, recreation, and rehabilitation for active duty, veterans, disabled veterans, and retired military personnel through fly fishing related activities.”

For more information and to register as a veteran or volunteer, visit their website here.

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