On the Fly: Coming soon — the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic

Most anglers enjoy giving back, and there are opportunities to assist disabled Veterans in early April in conjunction with the Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Club and other local volunteers.

The 39^th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic comes to Aspen between March 31-April 5. The clinic provides nearly 400 profoundly disabled Veterans with training and rehabilitation every year. Veterans with TBIs, spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, amputations, and other severe disabilities are challenged to overcome perceived limitations through adaptive skiing, sled hockey, rock wall climbing, fishing, curling, snowmobiling, education, and much more.

The five-day event is sponsored by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), with financial support from corporate sponsors and individual donors. These experiences provide the catalyst which improves overall physical well-being, mental health, self-esteem, community re-entry, and readjustment. 

Volunteers are needed in Basalt at the Half-Az Ranch to assist veterans interested in fishing from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 1-4. The focus is fly fishing, but spin fishing is certainly an option for veterans who find it easier to do. 

You do not need to be a professional guide (or an accomplished angler) to help out; oftentimes, this day is more about talking, sharing, and listening versus catching a bunch of fish. Feel free to bring some flies and gear with you, and we hope to see you there.

When: April 1-4

Where: Half-Az Ranch 1087 Hooks Spur, Basalt

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press 1

Other details: No need to pre-register to volunteer, fishing begins at 9:30 a.m.

This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at 970-927-4374 or TaylorCreek.com.