Project Healing Waters - Colonial Beach, VA

07/22/2026

Last night, Project Healing Waters–Colonial Beach gathered for our monthly fly-tying class, where we tied the Slump Buster.
The Slump Buster is a weighted streamer with plenty of lifelike movement in the water. Designed to imitate a small baitfish or leech, it is an effective pattern for trout, bass, and other fish looking for an easy meal.
With a storm rolling into the area, our dedicated crew still showed up and got to work. Apparently, a little thunder and rain were no match for fly-tying night! The storm may have been brewing outside, but inside, the only thing getting wound up was the thread.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for another enjoyable evening of learning, laughter, and fellowship!

07/08/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Tom Constantine and take a moment to honor his life and legacy.

Tom was a valued member of our community and a participant with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing — Colonial Beach. As one of the first individuals to become involved with the Colonial Beach program, Tom found great joy in fly tying, rod building, and the camaraderie built with fellow Veterans.

As a Veteran, Tom continued to serve through the friendships he built, the example he set, and the encouragement he offered to those around him.

He will be remembered for his kindness, his service, and the genuine connections he made with those around him. His presence left a lasting impact on Project Healing Waters participants and on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

We are grateful for the time we shared with Tom and for the example he set through his character, friendship, and dedication to others.

Please keep Tom’s family, friends, and fellow Veterans in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

06/22/2026

**PHW Outing Recap**

This past weekend, **20 June 2026**, we had a great Project Healing Waters outing at a private pond. It was a small group, but a good one. Including myself, we had four anglers on the water enjoying some fishing, fellowship, and time outdoors.

The fish cooperated nicely, with bluegill, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass all making an appearance. As usual, a few fish were caught, a few “almost” fish were reported, and at least one fish was probably much bigger before it got away.

It was a great day of fly fishing, laughs, and enjoying the outdoors. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a fun outing.

**Healing America’s Veterans through the therapeutic art of fly fishing.**

03/26/2026

03/26/2026

Project Healing Waters Colonial Beach had a great **fly tying class on 17 March 2026**, where participants spent the evening tying the classic **Deceiver** fly.

Originally created by **Lefty Kreh**, the Deceiver is a well-known streamer pattern designed to imitate baitfish. It is a favorite for targeting a variety of species because of its simple design, natural movement in the water, and proven ability to convince fish that lunch has arrived.

Our participants worked on building the fly step by step, focusing on materials, proportions, and technique. As always, there were a few flies that looked ready to catch fish right away... and a few that may have looked more like they survived a rough trip through the tackle box. That is part of the fun.

Beyond tying a great pattern, classes like this help build skills, confidence, and camaraderie. Every session is another chance to learn something new, share a few laughs, and enjoy time together.

A big thank you to everyone who came out and made the evening a success.

03/26/2026

Project Healing Waters Colonial Beach had a great casting class on 14 March 2026!

During the first hour, participants worked with their 5-wt rods, focusing on the fundamentals and sharpening their technique. It was a solid chance to build confidence, improve accuracy, and get those casting motions feeling a little smoother.

In the second hour, things got a little more exciting as participants moved up to 10-wt rods. These heavier rods take a bit more muscle, timing, and patience, but everyone jumped in and gave it their best. It was a great way to prepare for future outings and get comfortable with gear designed for bigger challenges.

There were a few tangled lines, a couple of “creative” casts, and at least one moment where the rod probably wondered who was really in charge—but that is all part of learning. Most importantly, everyone showed up, worked hard, and had a lot of fun doing it.

We are proud of the progress our participants continue to make and grateful for the volunteers who help make these classes possible.

02/27/2026

02/18/2026

Last night, we tied up another of the most popular trout dry flies, created by Al Troth in 1957.
The Elk Hair Caddis is an iconic, highly buoyant dry fly, designed to imitate adult caddisflies. It features a hollow elk-hair wing and palmered hackle, making it exceptionally visible and versatile for fishing in and on both fast-moving and calm waters.

02/17/2026

Last night we had our 1st Burgers, Lies, & Flies event. Not many flies were tied, but we had a great turnout; fishing stories were told, and camaraderie was strong. A big shout to Ice House CB for hosting our event and the great food!

02/06/2026