Project Healing Waters Alaska

06/03/2026

05/22/2026

“I spent a long time pretending I was fine.

Truth is, I was angry at everything. Short fuse. Didn’t sleep worth a damn. I’d sit in my own house feeling completely disconnected from the people I loved most. My wife would ask what was wrong and I wouldn’t even know how to answer her. I just knew I wasn’t the same guy anymore.

When another Veteran first told me about Project Healing Waters, I brushed it off. Fly fishing? Didn’t sound like something that was going to fix anything. But he pressured me into it.

What surprised me wasn’t the fishing. It was being around other Veterans who understood without needing the whole story. Nobody was trying to impress anybody. Nobody cared what rank you were or what you did overseas. We just stood in the river and talked like human beings again. Somewhere along the line, I started breathing easier. Sleeping better. Laughing more. My wife noticed it before I did. She told me, ‘You finally seem like yourself again.’ That hit hard because I didn’t realize how far gone I’d been.

This organization didn’t magically erase everything. But it gave me something I hadn’t felt in years, peace."

Anonymous PHW Participant

05/21/2026

May 30th is our Intro to Fly Fishing Day at Mirror Lake. This is a great opportunity to get some hands-on experience fishing. We will review rod set up, knots, casting, basic flies, and safety. If you don’t need the intro, you are free to hit the water. Extra tuffs or other boots that can get wet are all you need to fish from shore.

We will have a potluck. PHW will provide burgers and brats, buns, condiments, paper goods, water, and instant hot drink mixes

If you are interested, please follow this link to sign up. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094BA8AC29AA8-64025258-may30intro

If you are a Veteran/Active duty and interested in attending but new to PHW, please message us on Facebook.

FREE to all Veterans and Active Duty.

Family members and loved ones (age 18+) can participate if they sign up as volunteers.

Volunteer sign up link.
https://www.tfaforms.com/4981203

May 30, Mirror Lake, Intro to Fly Fishing day. 1 pm to 5 pm. If there is more than one person in your group, please sign up each person individually

05/10/2026

Did you know that we sell Project Healing Waters swag on our website?!

From hats, shirts, and even neck gaiters, we have all the PHW gear that you need to hit the water and show off your love for the organization.

Check out our online store at our website!

05/06/2026

Rods up! We will meet Thursday, May 7th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery at 941 N Reeve Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99501.

We will be casting on the lawn at the hatchery weather permitting. Dress warm
We will have rods and reels for people to borrow. You are welcome to bring your own rod.
We will have chenille available to tie on instead of hooks. Even though we are not using hooks, hats and glasses are required per PHW. Rods and line can hurt too.
The food will be in the classroom. Scott Pate will also be teaching the clinch knot and the surgeons knot in the classroom.

05/06/2026

Our programs at Project Healing Waters are more than just an escape, they're a reconnection with life.

Fly fishing allows our veterans to engage with the environment in a meaningful way, to feel a sense of accomplishment, and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life with a tribe of like minded individuals.

The skills learned, the patience developed, and the connections made during these programs help in fostering a renewed sense of purpose and joy.

04/25/2026

At Project Healing Waters, we are proud to have some incredible women veterans as part of our community. These strong, resilient women have served our nation with honor, and their presence in our program enriches the entire organization. Yet, we know that many women veterans are hesitant to get involved with nonprofits, unsure if they will find a space where they truly belong.

To the women who have served this country: We see you, and we value the unique perspectives and strengths you bring. Our program is a place where you can connect with fellow veterans, rediscover your sense of purpose, and find support in a community that understands. The women who have joined us have found not just healing, but also a sense of camaraderie that goes beyond the uniform.

If you’re a woman who has served and are looking for a place to reconnect and heal, we invite you to join us. Together, we can continue to build a community where every veteran feels welcomed, supported, and empowered.

04/20/2026

This week's Fly Tying will be for the Foam Caddis.

Stop by Thursday, April 23th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery at 941 N Reeve Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99501. Snacks will be provided. FREE to all veterans and volunteers!

452 likes, 15 comments. "Puterbaugh Foam Caddis Fly Tying Instructions by Charlie Craven"