FSTU Supports Wounded Warriors and Veterans
When Darv Stutz relocated to Fayetteville, PA in January 2007, he knew he wanted to get back into
fly fishing. He also learned about Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (PHWFFI) founded in
2005 by Retired Navy Captain Ed Nicholsen, when he was being treated at Walter Reed National
Military Medical Center. The purpose was to institute therapeutic and educational fly-fishing
programs at the Walter Reed to assist Wounded Warriors and Veterans with skills that enhanced their
therapy and rehabilitation. These programs taught basic fly fishing, casting, fly tying, rod building and
provided local area and national fly-fishing outings.
He brought the idea to our Falling Spring Chapter who immediately signed up and also discovered
the Franklin County Chapter, Izaak Walton League Waltonian Meadows on the beautiful
Conococheague Creek. Upon approaching the IWLA members they immediately gave their support to
hosting these outings.
Our first Falling Spring Invitational was held in May 2008 and was held annually through 2020. These
outings were principally supported by Project Healing Waters with participants from PHWFFI
Chapters at Walter Reed Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. 2021 and 2022 outings
were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. May 2023 saw a renewed outing which also included a
new sponsoring organization – Mason Dixon Warrior Adventures, a local area 501(c))3 dedicated to
the support of Wounded Warriors and Veterans. FSTU provided the in-water companions to provide
instruction and safety in the water. This Outing actually included two blind participants from PHWFFI.
Community support has been amazing with National Competition BBQ Chefs and local area BBQ
businesses generously supporting our outings to provide delicious smoked BBQ ‘pig-pickin’ lunches.
Financial support from local area businesses and veteran’s organizations, as well as generous
individual contributions, poured forth.