Project Healing Waters Fundraiser in Colorado Springs

February 17, 2010

LINDA NAVARRO, THE GAZETTE January 29, 2010

The parking lot and streets around The Black Sheep nightclub were packed with pickup trucks, Jeeps, Mudders and SUVs on a Saturday night and there was not a concert to be heard. There were, however, lively discussions of casting, cutthroats, nymphing and the pros and cons of the Wiggle Caddis.

Fly fishing aficionados, more than 200 strong and mostly male with a sprinkling of women, converged on the club Jan. 23 for the Drake Fly Fishing Film Festival. It was also an opportunity to support Project Healing Waters, Fort Carson Chapter, a nonprofit that adds fly tying and fly fishing to the rehabilitation programs of wounded soldiers. The volunteers can be found tying flies every Thursday at Fort Carson and when it’s better fishing weather they’ll take the rehabbing soldiers out to try their luck with fly rods.

By evening’s end Project Healing Waters had raised $4,500 and Dave Leinweber, owner of sponsor Angler’s Covey had a big smile on his face. This second-annual fundraiser started out as a noisy affair as the fish tales flew and the fellows — and, yes, the gals — toasted with longnecks. Then a veil of silence was pulled down. As the lights dimmed and up came gorgeous scenic shots of Western fishing streams and rivers, it was silent save for oohs and aahs and a knowing chuckle here and there. Films over, the fish tales started once again.

Among the busy volunteers working at the front door with the Black Sheep staff, at the raffle table and visiting with guests were the volunteers including Gordy Rothoff, Jim Williams, Gary Spuhler, David Nesbit, Sally Fant and Trout Unlimited President Jack Hunter.

Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers chapters founded the national Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. in 2005. The Web site: projecthealingwaters.org.