So I gotta say first that I haven’t been on the forum in a while and I sorta feel bad having this be my first post back so I apologize if necessary but 2 jobs, grad school, guiding, and teaching fly tying has me busy up here in western NC.
So I co-run a program called Project Healing Waters (Cherokee/Asheville Chapters)if you are not familiar you can check the national website:
http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/
and by all means please friend us on facebook at Phwff Cherokee Chapter.
We provide therapy for disabled Veterans through fly-fishing and fly-tying outings and trips, the fact that I am a therapist at the VA is a coincidence as there isn’t any “talk therapy” going on. I gotta boast a bit our newe chapter (cherokee)hosted the largest event in the PHWFF’s 5+ year history this past Sept(over 55 Veterans from across the nation came to fish for the weekend event). So as a result national is hooking us up with some money (not a ton) to plan a trip to take a group of Vet’s fishing. So I decided we would make Charleston the spot. I will be bringing aprox. 7-10 Veteran’s all disabled and most likely all combat wounded (lots of PTSD which flyfishing is awesome for). Anyways I NEED HELP! I have talked to some guides down there that I am friends with and they all loved the idea but what I am trying to get lined up first is
dates
boats/captains
hotels
and a place for a kinda awards ceremony dinner thing
I was thinking that while I love the summer tailing tides I was thinking that maybe the fall would be better logistically for all involved between heat, guides/capt being booked, chances at fish etc. That I will gladly take advice on but I am trying to make it easy & fun.
Boats I will bring my flats boat but I am pleading for some help with this and I know how PRO-USA Military Charleston is one reason I live calling it my real home. I am not sure of budgets yet I can most likely guarantee gas money/tip/probably a fishing shirt with our PHWFF logo and whatever we come up for this event (a red fish
If any of them want to kayak fish My HOW chapter will hook them up. For the powerboats… I know a few guides that will probably jump at the chance to help out. Gimme a call and we’ll work out details!
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
thanks boys, i will be in touch for sure, still really early in the planning and all but wanted to get the conversation going, thanks!
If it swims throw a fly at it!
I’m no guide but I do have a flats boat and would love to help if you need another boat. Don’t write off the tailing tides, they go all the way into October.
“The good fisherman is surprised when he doesn’t catch fish: I am just the other way around.”
Gene Hill, Passing a Good Time.
I have sent a message to all the guides I know and ScottyD is in… as you can see above… let me what else ya need and we’ll make this happen Brother!!!
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Man you guys are great, knew I could count on ya’ll. SO I am not sure yet of a number as we are just planning and I really am not sure what time of year this year we should be thinking. While we have some younger OIF/OEF guys we also have some Vietnam Vets who will probably be coming too so the heat may be something to consider. I am not sure what the ambulatory abilities are going to be either so wading a flat may be completely out for some of these guys. I would be surprised if we had more than 10 Vets but that’s a guess and it could be 5 for all I know. As ya’ll know it’s more about getting out and having fun on the water and the camaraderie than it is the fish caught especially for the boys with PTSD (which we have a good many). I will be in touch as we go and I am hoping to be down there in the next few weeks and will be on my own this summer in line with the new and full moon 
So we can get up and plan or talk for sure in advance. Thank you both so much for your help, without it we would be lost, with it I know we can put a couple smiles on some hero’s faces and there isn’t anything more important than that in my mind! Thank
If it swims throw a fly at it!
I have a really wide and flat front deck, like any other flats boat, that works great with anyone confined to a chair. A little help from the console seat up to the deck and fish on. Even have places to tie the chair down on the front deck while we run.
Those September/October tides are big enough to pole most flats I walk, even though it comes in and goes out fast. Fall is also cooler and less crowded, if that helps deciding on a time of year. Generally have calmer weather too.
I’m in the Upstate if you need some planning help.
“The good fisherman is surprised when he doesn’t catch fish: I am just the other way around.”
Gene Hill, Passing a Good Time.
That’s awesome, I would not be surprised if we have a wheel chair Vet or possibly two, one that actually comes to mind is a female who was one of the first female Marines injured in combat and she is in a chair most all of the time (she can stand some)and she fishes with us a good bit. Thank you so much, my contact info is below and I will put you on the list that I am compiling of the gracious folks who have offered to pitch in with this! It’s gonna be Great I think thanks to people like you! Thank you and shoot me an email so I got your contact stuff and can keep you in the planning game
Barry Murphy
bmurphy055@gmail.com
828-400-3335
If it swims throw a fly at it!
Will be glad to help if some are willing to drive north to fish. Shoot me an email when you get a chance newman@gtownkingfisher.com
Newman
www.gtownkingfisher.com
Not sure if we will be able to make that trek up to G-Town loditics are gonna be crazy as it is but Thank you so much for the offer Capt. Newman! I was talking to one of the guys that helps me with our chapter (Combat Marine Iraq) and we are thinking roughly 10 Vets and we are thinking October, As we started talking about lodging the idea of just renting a house on SI or IOP came up, seems if we allocated 75-100 $ a Vet a night for housing, and then we are thinking Wed through Sat night for 4 nights total we are looking at 3-4 hundred a Vet which could be depending on how many Vets about 2000.00-3000.00 total surely we could get a rental house for 4 nights in oct for that? So my Dad (Retired Navy Cdr 28 years) is gonna hit up the realty foks on the islands he knows to see what they know, any inside advise on rental houses down there would be great, also what y’all think about the fishing in early Oct? thanks
If it swims throw a fly at it!
As for rentals, check VRBO.com , shouldnt have any trouble finding a nice rental for that… fishing good then but, generally better late oct/early nov.
Newman
www.gtownkingfisher.com
Cool then we may look at later in Oct, thanks bro!
If it swims throw a fly at it!