Nonprofit Teaches Veterans How to Fly Fish

In 2013, Joe Rizzi worked as the director of emergency management at Multnomah County in Portland, Oregon. In his free time, Joe Rizzi enjoys fly fishing in the rivers around the state of Oregon.

The Quiet Waters Ranch in Montana is owned by the Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation, a nonprofit organization that teaches combat veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq basic and advanced fly-fishing techniques. Every year, groups of half a dozen veterans spend six days at the ranch learning fly fishing. The ranch accommodates around 10 groups each year.

Veterans start the program on a Monday by acquiring and learning how to use fishing gear. They are equipped with fly rods, boots, waders, jackets, shirts, and various other necessities of the sport. On day 5, Warrior and Quiet Waters volunteers gather the participants and share one last meal called the Sayonara Dinner.

During that time, the veterans open up about their experiences of three full days of fly fishing as well as how the program affected them. The veterans typically discuss personal issues they may have resolved during the trip, or they just share their appreciation for the fishing and learning experience.

Since fly fishing is challenging and rewarding in itself, the rhythm and process that the technique offers helps people with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. Such activities are known to help prevent the mind from wandering and to have a calming effect at the same time.