BLM
FISHERIES ALASKA
BLM-AK
SUPPORTS VETERANS WITH PROJECT HEALING WATERS
BLM
Alaska recently hosted its sixth annual Tangle Lakes Project Healing Waters
event. Project Healing Waters (PHW) is a national non-profit organization
dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active
military personnel and veterans through fly fishing. The BLM joined with
Project Healing Waters Alaska, the Wrangell Institute of Science and
Environment, and devoted volunteers to host the weekend trip.
Military
cadence evolves into the rhythmic fly casting cadence. (Photo by Carol Teitzel)
On
June 23, BLM employees from Glennallen, Anchorage, and Fairbanks as well as
Project Healing Waters participants and volunteers traveled to the Delta Wild
and Scenic River and Tangle Lakes for two days of awesome fishing and
camaraderie. This BLM-managed jewel makes an excellent choice around which to
focus on fly fishing and healing.
Military
cadence evolves into the rhythmic fly casting cadence. (Photo by Carol Teitzel)
On
June 23, BLM employees from Glennallen, Anchorage, and Fairbanks as well as
Project Healing Waters participants and volunteers traveled to the Delta Wild
and Scenic River and Tangle Lakes for two days of awesome fishing and
camaraderie. This BLM-managed jewel makes an excellent choice around which to
focus on fly fishing and healing.
The
iconic Delta Wild and Scenic River showing off its beautiful surrounding
landscape. (Photo by Carol Teitzel)
A
recent study showed that the density of Arctic grayling in the Delta River was
the greatest ever observed among published density estimates for Alaska Rivers.
The military service personnel had an unforgettable experience catching this
beautiful and unique fish and learning about this extremely productive aquatic
ecosystem.
"When
I meet the soldiers at PHW I am always struck by how young many of them
are," said Robin Mayo, Executive Director, Wrangell Institute for Science
and Environment, Alaska. "Many of them are from urban backgrounds and have
never experienced wilderness. I like to think they can reclaim a piece of
childhood as they explore the Wild and Scenic Delta River, enjoy boat rides to
prime fishing locations, wade in pristine clear waters, and catch wild Alaskan
fish. There is peace in wild places that can be found nowhere else."
SFC
Manfred Aponte, U.S. Army, Retired (Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan), displaying
the colors of America and an Arctic grayling. (Photo by Matt Vos)
A
time for reflection. (Photo by Carol Teitzel)
Each
day, participants and volunteers loaded into boats provided by the BLM and
headed out into the Delta River in search of grayling and lake trout. The
Arctic grayling were extremely cooperative: each participant caught 30 to 110
grayling per day with most averaging 10 to 16 inches on beadhead nymph flies
and dry flies. Individuals who went fishing for lake trout also landed a few of
these top predators. This year, PHW also sponsored three participants from
other PHW programs in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Fairbanks, Alaska. It was
the participants' first fishing experience in Alaska and they were thrilled to
catch so many Arctic grayling.
This
event was a great opportunity to thank and give back to the veterans who have
given us so much and protect beautiful places that the BLM manages. Dave
Rooker, Vietnam Pilot (age 80), summed up the experience: "Trip of
lifetime, caught over hundred."
Vietnam
veteran Dave Rooker with an Arctic grayling. (Photo by Carol Teitzel)
2016
Project Healing Waters, thanking those that serve. (Photo by Carol Teitzel)
