1. 2011 In Review in Colorado Springs
We continued our tradition of opening Our soldiers enjoyed: Kremmling, Camp Alexander BSA, and the
the year with our booth in the Fly Fishing 3 fly tying classes Cross D Bar Ranch.
Show in Denver where we met many of 7 weeks each June included a return trip to Leadville
wonderful supporters and made great new 493 days fishing as guests of Colorado Mountain College,
contacts. We began our tenth fly tying class 10 multi-day trips Home Stake Trout Club, and Mt. Massive
(the first of three for 2011) at Ft. Carson. 12 day trips Lakes. Sportsmen’‛s Paradise near Lake
Three soldiers took advantage of our building 3 fly rods George hosted a one day return trip and we
first rod building class. They were very explored a new destination an the Wilder
painstaking in their work and justifiably proud of their Ranch on the Taylor River. We concluded the month with
finished rods. our annual joint trip to Durango with soldiers from Project
Healing Waters Fly Fishing Programs in Arizona. This trip
included fishing small headwaters, riding the Durango and
Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to fish the Animas River,
and floating the San Juan River below Navajo Dam.
In February, for the third year, Angler’‛s Covey hosted We began July with another new destination, the
the Fly Fishing Film Tour as a benefit for our program. Sunshine Springs Angling Club near Hotchkiss. Soldiers on
We concluded our tenth fly tying class and began our this trip were given a personal tour of Jeff Hatton’‛s
eleventh in March. We also took advantage of the collection of antique bamboo rods – some over 150 years
weather for our first fishing trip of the year to Maria old. We returned to the North Platte River in Wyoming
Lake near Walsenberg. for a two day float trip at Greys Reef.
April means caddis on the Arkansas River and we
returned to the Hillegas Ranch near Salida. We were also
guests on the Big Thompson River and concluded our
second and final fly tying session of the spring.
In May, we set the tone for the fishing season with
return visits to Rainbow Falls, the Blue River near

2. August was our busiest month with return visits to the
Perfect Drift on the North Fork of the South Platte and
Holmestead Ranch near Fairplay and a new venue on the
Blue River hosted by the Gore Range Chapter of Trout
Unlimited. We participated in the “Battle at Boxwood”
which paired hockey players and fly fishers in a regional
event.
Fly Tying Classes @ Ft. Carson
March 15 – May 2, 2012
In September, we were guests of Wason Ranch on the
Rio Grande near Creede for the fourth year. The
hospitality and scenery were spectacular as always. In
late September and early October we returned to the
Blue River near Kremmling, where soldiers enjoyed fishing
the river and ox bow lakes for large, colorful rainbow
trout.
At the end of the year, Gary Spuhler was promoted to
Rocky Mountain Regional Coordinator. As is often the
case, he will be replaced by two people. Jeff Stahnke
(jeffstahnke1129@gmail.com) will be the new program
lead and Sherryl Walck (sherrylmccartney@msn.com) will
We concluded our fishing season in October with a be the new fly tying lead. Congratulations Gary and
trip to the Cross D Bar Ranch and graduated our twelfth welcome Jeff and Sherryl.
fly tying class in November.
Fly Fishing Film Tour THANK YOU!
- generous donors and supporters,
Friday, February 17, 2012
- fishing trip hosts,
Stargazer Theater & Event Center - fishing mentors,
East Pikes Peak Ave. and South Parkside Drive - Pikes Peak Flyfishers,
Colorado Springs - Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited,
Doors open 5:30 pm - fly tying instructors who spend seven weeks per
session patiently teaching fly tying.
Admission: $15 at the door, $12 prior purchase
Proceeds to benefit PHWFF – Colorado Springs
For Colorado Springs activities, contact Jeff Stahnke @ 719-393-3553 or jeffstahnke1129@gmail.com.