New Mexico Trout to Offer Fly Fishing Classes to Veterans

The New Mexico Trout Fishing Association will begin offering fly tying and fly casting classes to patients of the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque. There will even be some day trips included in the classes.

This wonderful outreach is part of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. This project is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and Veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings.

This program is free for veterans, and New Mexico Trout will provide equipment for those who need it.

Fly tying classes are scheduled to begin on Feb 9, 2011. Additional classes will be held on:

• Feb. 16, 2011
• Feb. 23, 2011
• March 9, 2011
• March 16, 2011
• March 23, 2011
• April 13, 2011
• April 20, 2011

All classes will start at 6 pm in the Recreation Hall (Bldg. 2) of the medical grounds, and run til about 7:45 pm.

Fly casting classes will be begin in April 2011 (time and dates still to be determined).   Fishing outings will start in June and run through mid-September (more information still to come).  Fly fishing outings will normally depart from the V.A. grounds at 7 am and return about 4 pm.

Although this program is free, veterans must pre-register since space is limited. For more information or to signup, contact Michelle McKenzie at (505) 265-1711 (ext. 4160) or email her at michelle.mckenzie@va.gov.

Veterans also may call Dave Patton of New Mexico Trout at (505) 681-0835 or e-mail him at pattondj@comcast.net for more information.