Healing Waters in Chapel Hill

On a quiet pond just off Legion Road, area veterans gather to spend a day fishing with their comrades.  Some are learning to fly fish, some are more at home with a simple rod or cane pole.  It’s not the equipment that counts, it is friendship, quiet times, and a gentle breeze that makes their day.

This month, the Triangle Fly Fishers returned to host a Veterans Family Fun fishing event.  Poles and equipment were ready and the group and local veterans joined together to have fun.

Our Post Commander watched some of the vets at work.  They gently pulled their line in to create slack on the line and gently cast their flies out over the pond.  “It was so neat to watch the line fly out over the water as the gentle breeze toyed with the fly.  You had to wonder what the fish were looking at.  Was it real enough to get them to chance a leap  for the fly?” he said.

One fisherman, Alphonzo, was having a great day.  His efforts were rewarded by several catches.

Dan Estrem, event coordinator, said that these events are very therapeutic.  He said that a vet commented several times on the benefits of the program.  He shared how, now that he understands how to fish, he will continue to do it and feels fishing will help them in the future.  Learn more about this program.

The Durham VA Medical Center Rehab team provided a light lunch for the event.

All post members are encouraged to join in at the next event.  It is a good time for all and the fishing is good.