Veterans experience nature’s healing effects

By Pete Ottesen

Imagine being an armed services veteran returning home from war and having to cope with changes due to the ravages of combat, such as a missing limb or mental illness. Who would be there to offer a helping hand?

One staunchly effective coalition that helps disabled veterans is a collection of passionate anglers called the Stanislaus Fly Fishers and a national non-profit organization, Rivers of Recovery that provides vets the chance to experience the power of nature though rehabilitative fly fishing adventures.

“It’s a fact,” said Jim Mayol, a volunteer board of director for Rivers of Recovery. “There is a substantial drop in stress related illness among veterans who enjoy a day fly fishing, and this positive effect is generally reflected in tests given six weeks and even six months after the experience. Our program makes a difference, no doubt.”

To fund a local veteran for a day of fly fishing – it takes about $2,500 to maintain and improve the quality of the Rivers of Recovery experience – the Stanislaus Fly Fishers presents its 8th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the State Theatre, 1307 J St., in downtown Modesto. Tickets for the three-hour festival are $10, with free admission for veterans and students.

“We have raised more than $400,000 over the past seven years and our goal is to crack the $500,000 goal this week,” Mayol said. “We know many more veterans have recently returned home and their need for services is greater than ever. Our fly fishing trips are at no cost to the veteran participants. They are provided counseling, pre-trip preparation, fly fishing equipment, instruction, boats, guides and over night lodging.”

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