Fly Fishing Can Save Your Life

Kayson Gines
English 1010

Fly fishing is an artful way to catch fish; a fly rod is used with heaver line so that you
can cast an artificial fly searching for trout or other species of fish. Flies are used by representing
the aquatic life in the river and the wild insects around the river. Fly fish can be very challenging
but with a little practice casting the proper way and presenting the right fly one can be very
successful in this hobby and sport. Fly fishing is more than just catching fish and casting the
right way or choosing the right bug, fly fishing can save someones life and bring people closer
to each other through nature making friendships for life. I am going to talk about programs like
Wounded Worriers and Rivers of Recovery, and how these programs use the sport of fly
fishing to help with personal well being, mental health, spiritual health, and literally saving their
lives. Whether you have a disability, are recovering addicts, or a former combat veteran these
programs can enhance the quality of ones life by bringing people closer to their families,
understanding themselves and having a better understanding of ones abilities to find their escape
and meaning in this crazy world that we live today.
The first recorded fly fishing development was with the Romans 2000 years ago, a man
named Aelian recorded using a new form of fishing in this time period that had never been used
before. The Romans use 6 foot rods made of wood with lines about the same length and no reels.
Romans would tie red wool on a hook with two feathers and with a short cast would catch fish to
provide for their families. Fly fishing really did not get any more advanced until the middle
century where it really began progressing; people would still use the old idea of one rod with no

reel but they soon upgraded to a tapered bamboo rod which would allow them to make 12 to 15
foot fly rods that would allow for longer reaching and a more accurate cast. In this time period
flies also started to improve to become more than just red wool and two feathers, to a more
advanced rendition using many feathers and other tools to match what was in the river. If you
were to compare the flies from the 19th century with the present day you would find that the flies
would be more similar than you may think; today they have just moved from the more simplified
one color and size to many. In the early 19th Century the Japanese also found this technique and
fly fishing style to be a very accurate and very easy way to catch fish. The style of fly fishing that
the Japanese found and evolved is better known as tenkara, basically a simplified version for
what Aelian developed before then. The Japanese found that fly fishing didnt need to be
advanced in anyway and actually the more advanced it got the less accurate way of fishing it
became. The Japanese were the first to see fly fishing as a simple peaceful way to catch fish;
using just a bamboo rod and simple line they mastered their craft. Mark D. Robertson describes
tenkara and fly fishings impact on how you live your life perfectly Everybody is in search of
some simplicity in life, but perhaps nobody searches harder for it than the fly fisherman.
(Robertson) Fly fishing with simple rod like tenkara really puts fly fishing in prospective; the
Japanese had a way of keeping things simple and functional. With tenkara this way of fishing has
evolved to modern times and is becoming very popular in the sport fly fishing today not only for
its accuracy in catching fish but also the nontechnical way of fishing allows for more soul
searching than other types of fishing . In the early 19 hundreds we see the evolution of fly rods
change from a simple rod and line to a shorter rod with a back bone and a reel to hold heavier
line. It wasnt until 1946 when the first fiber glass rod was made making for a much stronger rod
than bamboo, this technology broke the barrier for fly fishing at this time and was one of the

biggest advancements fly fishing would see. Fly fishing with a glass rod and a reel with weighted
line would be able to load the fly rod and cast a greater distances than any other types allowing
the fisherman to reach harder spots and runs in the river increasing the odds of catching fish.
Fiber glass rods had become the it rods to have in the fly fishing industry, which was becoming
ever so popular in the early 19th century. You would see the highest of class like presidents, and
wealthy people fly fishing with these new rods while the bamboo rods where still being used by
the lower class fisherman. It was at this time in history of glass rods and wealthy people making
them the it thing to do in the 19th century was key to the evolvement of fishing and making the
sport of fly fishing ever more popular. This was until 1973 when the first graphite fly rod hit the
market with a new and innovated technology of a lighter fly rod; these graphite rods were not
only light but very smooth and accurate. Graphite became the norm for fly fishing in modern
times and even still today, losing any extra weight was key to cast with ease and control. Fly
fishing in history has evolved in so many ways now with new technologies of gear coming out
yearly as well as new flies and even more light weight reels that can handle fish with ease. The
popularity of fly fishing is coming back today due to its simplicity of fly fishing and how this
simplicity and peace can be transferred into your own life. Some people would argue that we lost
the natural and simple way when the glass and graphite rods came onto the market. Today people
are going back to their roots in fly fishing and finding the more simplified way to fish and not
getting all caught up in new gadgets and gear instead thinking about what tools are really
important in keeping it simple like our ancestors did long ago.
I have been fly fishing for over a decade now and have a passion for the art of fly fishing,
for me it all started when I found my Dads old glass fly rod in our camper while on a camping
trip. I soon was on the shore trying to catch whatever I could on this old rod, I could see big carp

swimming by in the shallows of the lake but could not catch a thing. My Father soon notice and
came down to help me out, my Dad tied on a new fly and started to teach me how to cast a fly
rod as I stood by him closely watching his every move. He stopped and waited for a moment and
started to cast again and laid the fly on the water as softly as he could, I was so fascinated by his
every move. I watched in shock as a huge carp came up to the surface eating my dads fly whole.
I was holed from that moment on yelling You got him dad! You got him! we landed that big
slimy carp and that was the first moment in time where I knew this was going to be my new love.
As I think back on my past bate fishing experiences I can only think of how different my passion
for fishing would be if I would have never pulled out that old glass fly rod. When I look back
now that moment mean a lot to me; having my Dad show me how to use his Dads old rod and
actually catch a huge fish that day on the beach was so fascinating to me. Fly fishing since then
has always been my passion and has changed my life in so many ways. Growing up through the
years I have fished all over Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana I have been to Alaska twice and
many other adventures fishing. This passion for fishing and the sport is a huge part of my life and
is something that I can honestly say has changed me for the better. Fly fishing has made my life
better in so many ways from giving me an escape away from the city, to having the opportunity
to go see amazing places and meet new people. It has changed the way I live my life in the sense
that I am more at peace with all aspects of my life and how it pans out. It has taught me how to
truly relax, unwind and forget about the world and its problems. When I am on the river I am
appreciative of Mother Nature, our earth and all the species on it. Hebert Hoover explains this
feeling well with To go fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure air, with the rush of
the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the
decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and

egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide a darned thing until next week.
And it is discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish."(Hoover) Rivers
give you a feeling of freedom and accomplishment that allows you to forget about everything
and anything that is on your mind bringing peace of mind, wash ones soul. of hate, stress, fear
and discouragement. Having this connection with oneself and nature from fly fishing really does
have a major effect on someones well being and soul changing it for the better through time and
growth.
Many people ask what would people get from fly fishing that could actually help them? is
it powerful enough to save someones life? Programs like Rivers of Recovery have proven this is
fact and have bought meaning to their place in the fly fishing industry. Rivers of recovery has
established a program that is set up to help wounded veterans and disabled people go out and
have the opportunity to catch fish. Rivers of Recovery hosts a group of combat veterans on a
four-day rehabilitation program that focuses on confidence-building, outdoor activities and talk
therapy in a relaxed positive environment. Through fly fishing these techniques have been
proven to build the empowerment, achievement and self-esteem of veterans while teaching them
skills in how to see the symptoms of stressors and responses to combat these. This type of
achievement sets the stage for enthusiasm for life and resiliency and any situation. On day one
Veterans apply newfound skills on the river, demonstrate all ready found abilities and build
confidence in the sport. The social interaction among participants reinforces a sense of success,
empowerment and a reconnection to ones self being, building an understanding and bond
between veterans and their families. All fishing is done with professional guides who teach you
through example and their own expertise and knowledge. Rivers of Recovery offer these trips
free to the veterans, with $2,000 covering airfare, lodging, guiding/instruction, meals and

research study all covered by philanthropy and donations. This program has helped thousands of
veterans with life skills using fly fishing from using these skills as a stress reliever to using this
program and skills to pull them out of very dark places. This program and the bonds it forms
between guides and former veterans with one another have not only turned many lives around,
saved many lives and leaves them with friends for a lifetime. This program gives these veterans a
purpose again when many feel they lost their purpose when retiring from what they had always
done. Fly fishing gives people a quiet time to think de-stress and rejuvenate their soul. Another
similar program saving lives thorough fly fishing is Project Healing Waters they are dedicated to
the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and
disabled veterans through fly fishing and other associated activities. Healing Waters began in
2005 serving wounded military service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center returning
from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, they have expanded nationwide, establishing
its highly successful program in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and
Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and clinics. The Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program
provides basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building classes, along with clinics for
veterans and their families ranging from beginners who have never fished before, to those with
prior fly fishing and tying experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities. All fly
fishing and tying equipment is provided to the participants at no cost. Fishing trips, both one day
and multi-day, are also provided free of charge to participants. It is much more than a one day
fishing trip. For many participants, particularly disabled veterans, the socialization and
camaraderie of the classes are just as important as the fishing outings, and provide them a new
activity but more importantly life time friendships and bonds. Project Healing Waters relies on
Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited, and independent fly fishing clubs to conduct the

program at facilities across the nation. The volunteer staffs are experienced fly fishers and
guides, all these volunteers donate their time and knowledge to support the participants. Like
Rivers of recovery they have many testimonials from thousands of Men and Women whose lives
have been changed forever due to these programs. Walter Reed, a Father of a USA wounded
combat Veteran gave his thanks for all this program has done for him and his family. As the
father of a severely wounded soldier who, through the auspices of Project Healing Waters, has
been afforded the opportunity to learn and experience fly fishing, I cant say enough good things
about the organization. My son, thanks to PHWFF, has enjoyed trips of a lifetime for some of the
finest fly fishing available in Virginia, Montana and Pennsylvania. Just as importantly however is
that he has come to know, love and appreciate fly fishingan aspect of fishing that he had not
previously been exposed to. I have repeatedly recommended Project Healing Waters as a most
worthy cause to all who have expressed an interest in helping our wounded warriors recover and
find their way back. Bravo Zulu to a fine organization! It is amazing that through these
organizations and the simplicity of fly fishing these Men and Women have found themselves in
this sport.
Similar to my story they too have found fly fishing to be life saving both because of it
stress relieving qualities, confidence building abilities, and sheer peacefulness this sport brings to
your life. When we think of something saving someones life we often think of a major event that
is so large and impactful it changes them on the spot. While fly fishing is major and impactful it
is so under written in its healing abilities, its not always grand or a major ah-ha moment that
changes and or saves your life yet it seems to me its the simple more down to earth things that
ground us and bring us back to the basics of life and what really brings us joy and happiness. Fly
fishing for me is so life saving due to the simple yet powerful things that many of us adults have

a hard time doing on our own. Slowing down, in a fast pace electronic based world we are
always one step ahead, always multitasking and moving forward fast leaving little time to focus
on the now. Fly fishing forces you to slow yourself down, slow down and live in that one
moment for that moment alone, teaching one to live fully in the moment rather than always
having thoughts of the next. Another huge thing fly fishing teaches us is to really enjoy and
appreciate the now and what the earth has to offer us. Being one with nature and the earth in
itself has so many benefits ranging from being a huge stress reliever, to due to lack of service
forcing you to drop all less important things and other distractions and be connected with you,
your feelings and yourself for once. Simplifying your life, fly fishing is a simple concept in a
simple nature setting that can transform your view on the world around you making you want to
simplify your own. There is a peace you feel on the water that is hard to explain; its just you the
running water and the fish. A river is ever changing never being the same river each time you
visit, like rivers us as fishermen change and grow with each new experience and trip. Fishing
allows us to be participants in nature instead of being bystanders; those who become participants
become passionate about their craft and how to better themselves through it. Fly fishing is so
successful in helping literally save so many peoples lives through these programs because they
have discovered like I that fly fishing is not just a sport it is the gateway to happiness through
finding peace in yourself and a simplified life, confidence through success and stress relief
through learning to slow down and live and appreciate every moment your life has to offer you.
I believe that whether through a program that guides you through to your love of fly fishing or if
you find this passion on your own personal journey; I believe fly fishing not only teaches you the
life skills that are more important than ever in this day and age but if used as a life skill and
passion can and will save your life if you allow it. Fly fishing is my life, my love and has helped

me through my journey of life to become who I am today; a stronger, better more well rounded
human who has a appreciation for this earth and what it gives us.

Work cited