Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA Program

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA Program This Page represents the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA Program of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Details are passed on through the program.

The group is focused on physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled veterans through fly fishing. Our program is focused in the South Puget Sound area around Joint Base Lewis McChord. Our program conducts outings, has fly tying classes, does rod building classes, and supports fly casting instruction. We typically conduct fly tying and educational classes the first and third Wednesdays of the

month at the VFW Post 2329 (14809 Woodlawn St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498) usually starting around 5:30 or 6 (check e-mails from the program lead for specifics). We also have meetings on base at the Soldier Recovery Unit (on base near Madigan in the dayroom of building 9057) on the second Wednesday of the month (typically "open-ties", from 4:30-6:30, come whenever you'd like within that window). On the fourth Wednesday of the month we do a virtual educational or fly tying session. Service connected disabled veterans can access base facilities after obtaining a Veterans Health Identification Card and completing a registration process at the Visitor Center. Details can be found here:
https://www.mcchord.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2035368/veterans-with-veteran-health-id-card-can-shop-at-military-exchange-starting-jan/

We conduct outings periodically throughout the year. Our page provides a high level update of what sort of events are coming up. We have a Google Calendar which you can add to your calendar here:
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=cGh3ZmYuamJsbUBnbWFpbC5jb20

To get in touch with our program, you can reach out to our current program lead who will be posted on our regional page here:
https://projecthealingwaters.org/programs/locations/northwest/ #1463589419896-6c4003d1-d85de6c0-577282ba-05ff

Additional Information: Washington resident veterans with service connected disabilities of 30% or higher are eligible for a highly discounted fishing (and hunting) license. You can find more information about the pass and how to apply here:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/eligibility-requirements-veterans-reduced-fees

What a great day for the the PHW Nortwest region on Beaver Lake. Special thanks to Bruce Tyson for all his hard work. ...
04/21/2026

What a great day for the the PHW Nortwest region on Beaver Lake. Special thanks to Bruce Tyson for all his hard work.

03/19/2026

23 Years Ago Today: The Invasion of Iraq

The day it all kicked off. On March 19, 2003, in a televised address, President George W. Bush announced that coalition forces had begun an invasion of Iraq.

Most people probably don’t think about it much. But for those who were there, for those who spent time in that conflict, it’s a date that sticks.

Over 4,500 Americans never made it home. Thousands more came back with wounds that can’t be seen, the kind that don’t go away just because the war is over.

At Project Healing Waters, we serve a lot of Veterans who spent time in Iraq. Infantry, artillery, medics, pilots, every job, and every MOS. Some deployed once. Some went back five, six, seven times. They gave years of their lives to a war that shaped them in ways most people will never understand.

A lot of them are still carrying it.

This is why we do what we do. Fly fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about finding something steady when everything else feels unsteady. It’s about the quiet, the focus, the way the water slows everything down when the mind won’t stop running. It’s about the community, having a place where you don’t have to explain anything, because everyone already gets it.

Today, we remember. We honor. And we keep showing up for the ones who came home.

If you know an Iraq War veteran, check in on them today. And if you are one, know this, you are not alone.

Great night of tying for PHW JBLM. Thanks for Sam’s guidance on how to tie the Prince Nymph. With the rainy weather it’s...
03/19/2026

Great night of tying for PHW JBLM. Thanks for Sam’s guidance on how to tie the Prince Nymph.
With the rainy weather it’s a great time to fill those fly box’s with your favorites.

We had a great float of the Yakima River with the team from Red's Fly Shop. It was a peaceful day of fishing with a lit...
02/18/2026

We had a great float of the Yakima River with the team from Red's Fly Shop. It was a peaceful day of fishing with a little snow and the fish were biting! Lots of beautiful trout and some huge whitefish! A fun day of fishing with the crew!

Congratulations to Scott from LaConner for winning our raffle for a custom CF Burkheimer Presentation spey rod and a Ros...
02/18/2026

Congratulations to Scott from LaConner for winning our raffle for a custom CF Burkheimer Presentation spey rod and a Ross Reels Evolution LTX reel at the Bellevue Fly Fishing Show this last weekend! We appreciate all of the support from everyone who bought tickets. The funds will go to support Project Healing Waters activities supporting our veteran participants.

Hello everyone,Hope you are doing well! This week, we will be tying Lingren's Indispensable, a black variation of the Ge...
02/17/2026

Hello everyone,

Hope you are doing well! This week, we will be tying Lingren's Indispensable, a black variation of the General Practitioner. We will be tying on Wednesday, February 18th at VFW Post #2329 (Sammy L. Dublin post, 14809 Woodlawn Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498). This is a great traditional pattern for steelhead, salmon, cutthroats, and more! We hope to see you there!

If you cannot make it this week, but you are still interested in tying the Lingren's Indispensable, here is an instructional video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7mFms-dv6M

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Have a great week!

Sam Baldwin
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc ®
JBLM Program Assistant Program Lead

Here is an instructional video on tying Lingren's Indispensable, a traditional steelhead pattern. This is an all-black variation of the General Practitioner,...

02/10/2026
02/08/2026

2026 Bellevue, WA Fly Fishing Show in Bellevue - Checkout. There’s plenty to explore at the Fly Fishing Show—fresh gear, hands-on techniques, and experts who love sharing what they know. You can even plan the fly-fishing trip you’ve always wanted. Whether you're brand-new to the sp

Great tying night for PHW JBLM. Big turn out for Sam’s teaching of a Leech pattern. It was great. Thanks to those that c...
02/05/2026

Great tying night for PHW JBLM. Big turn out for Sam’s teaching of a Leech pattern. It was great.
Thanks to those that came out tonight. Great conversation and tying.

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Fort Lewis, WA
98433

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