Gary Steinmiller demoed how to tie the basic Wooly Bugger 22 vets and vols were on hand for a fly-tying production day to build up the ammo for our outings. We tied Woolly Buggers and Mini-Clousers. We had our new camera system set up and we were fortunate to have Gary Steinmiller, the president of CFFA, demo how to tie the basic Woolly Bugger. A Nice Turnout with 22 vets and vols onhand. Here Hugh, our first vet to join the program displays his tying skills This year we are

Now that's a bluegill. Nice Fish! Yesterday was the P&F Pond outing, we ended up with 31 attendees, and a bunch of fish to the net followed by a great charcoal BBQ. A great time was had by all and there are a ton of great shots. We had 2 new vols, Luke B and James M who both fell right into the routine. What a motley Crew Next, Gary S, who is known for his float tube skills managed to hook a beautiful overhanging maple tree showing even 60 years of experience doesn't mean you

Forster Pond Just Waiting for the VHotF Crew Forster Pond is now in the books. Beautiful day, well supported by the C.A.R.E. team from the state that heads up Fishing and education. Nice treat to have a day physically on the water. Gary talking about he one that huge one that got away It seems as if everyone had fish to the net. If not, it's a team effort anyways. John L claims he had a 4 lb. bass, Manny, got a couple of bass as well. Plenty of bluegills, perch, pickerel, a f

The crew at Deerspring, Merrill, NY 2026 We had boots on the ground at Deerspring Lodge in Merrill, NY. The advance team, Antoine and John L arrived a day early meeting up with Sean and head chef and innkeeper, Mary. Our team lead, John F, plus vet participants, Edwin, Jim B, Mike P, and Bill L all arrived. Mike B and our DAV guest Elisha, joined our group. Gear was prepped, maps reviewed, and a logistics plan plan developed for the team's first day on the water. Preliminary

Antoine hold an elusive Golden Palomino Trout Zak's this year turned out to be an outstanding day on the water. Just a few details... temps were in the upper 40's to mid 50's. Light rain for most of the day with a stiff wind. 35 of the 36 vets, vols, and visitors that signed up made it. One positive note, no mosquitoes all day. John L on the right, Jim B, a new vet on the left fishing the waters of the Farmington Nothing but happy attendees, and a couple of new folks includin

Washington Rod & Gun Club hosted VHF's annual outing to the Shepaug We are in our busy season so this update is going to cover 2 back-to-back outings. First to the Shepaug River, and the next week to the Hammonasset River. Weather was perfect foir both outings, and the fish cooperated. Temps in the 60's, no rain, no wind, and yes, gotta say it again, the fish came to the nets. Mike P with a WR&G guide This year's Washington Rod & Gun Club outing is in the books. 7 program v

Antoine captivates his audience Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Salmon River outing because of weather. But that didn't stop us, we had a pop-up fly tying event at the American legion. 24 vets and vols attended and tied the Hendrickson Emerger under the guidance of Antoine and Captain Bob. Third time is a charm, video is working And the third time is a charm; we got the new camera and video system up and running. We couldn't find a 12-year-old to assist, but we had the

Bill a new vet participant starts us off on our first event of the year Great day at Chatfield Hollow. Weather was perfect, light wind, and the water was clear, no leaves or trash hindering our cast. After a few sick calls, we ended up with 19 and a half vets, vols, and a vet's grandson (He is the .5, well mannered and polite as well). Mike pulled in the first trout of the season pictured with Ted Rz You will see we only have 2 fish pics, but there were a few more reported (

Tim O, has agreed to become a program lead, that makes 5 of us. Tim O has agreed to become one of our program leads. Tim has been a vet participant for a few years now and has really taken to the program. With this new title, come the same perks, all the program leads have come to expect. Get there a little early, stay a little late, be at the end of the line for pizza and food to see what you are going to get. Thank you Tim! One of the cabins at West Branch Angler, on the De

John L our keynote speaker The 2026 FVTU 25th annual banquet was last night and it was a great success. We had 23 vets and vols on hand. If you add in the significant others, we had 32 or about a fifth of the total attendance. We didn't all will a raffle, or have the high bid on the auction items. But... We all had a great time. The friendships and bonding in our group really shows. The keynote speaker for the evening was our own John Lynch. John shared his personal story cov

Casting Clinic held sponsored by US Electrical Wholesalers, Inc. In preparation for our upcoming fishing outings, 24 Vets and volunteers attended the VHF casting clinic on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the Middletown Parks and Recreation Center gym. The session was led by The French Fly Fisherman and Orvis 2025 Guide of the Year, Antoine Bissieux. We also welcomed a new Vet to the Program, Bill L. Special shout out and thanks to Electrical Wholesalers Inc. - Central Distributio

That's it, I've officially had it ! Calendar spring is here, March, April, May, but the snow hasn't stopped, and we are expecting more tomorrow. The optimists out there have said, don't worry, the sun is getting stronger and it will melt quickly. I just want it to stop. OK, enough of my little rant... Captain Bob put together the instructions, kits and demonstrated the process of tying the Elk Hir Apple Caddis. This is a perfect fly for early May on our local waters. Next

Antoine Teaching the Teachers What a great session 29 attendees for this morning’s session. We had 15 vets and 14 vols all tyin the basic Pheasant Tail nymph and the Pheasant Tail dry. It doesn’t get more basic than that. With just a hook, thread and a pheasant tail feather. The crew learned the real basics of the fly from Antoine, the Orvis 2025 Guide of the Year, and Capt. Bob, our go to fly guy. Our Senior division hard at work From this fly, the possibilities are endle

Just a small group of 21 on the coffee hour Zoom this week Well, I guess we crossed over to the dark side. Today 21 vets and vols we had a Coffee hour Zoom call. The topics discussed were bass ponds, Silver Lake, and Crystal Lake specifically. Then we got off topic and one person said they had seen some ice fishing going on, that's when it all fell to hell. They started talking about drilling holes and jigging, and how thick the ice is. Thank God we were able to move the conv

It was a long day starting off at 6:00 AM at negative 6 degrees. The car was preloaded the night before, and it was a 30 minute drive to the site of the expo. It took the better part of an hour and a half and for 3 of us to set up our fly-tying pop-up shop. Two more of our team showed up, John F, Antoine, Tim O, Darin and I were ready. A huge thank you to the team. We couldn’t do this without you! Then they came, fly tyers, fly anglers, 300 plus visitors came through the

4 degrees 14" snow, not fun Tying the "Squirminator" Well, it was a first, last night we met at night to tie flies at the American legion Hall in the evening, 6:30 until 8:30. We’re hoping that a few of the vets that have conflicts during the day due to school, medical or work will be able to join us. We had 12 attendees show up, considering the temp was a balmy 14 degrees and there is still some ice and snow from the major storm we just had, it was a success. Like anything

Antoine (vol) and Sean (vet) Weather hasn't been the best for travel but a number of our vets and vols made the trek to the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA, about a 90 minute drive. We connected with a few notables, Chris Parisi, the owner of "The Local Fly Shop". Chris will be hosting a fly tying night at his shop on January 26th. Tim Flagler, world renown fly tyer, has agreed to do a demo on one of our upcoming Zoom coffee hours with the vets. John and Ted, 2 of our vol

Antoine Orvis 2025 Guide of the Year The Secret Mystery Fly Tomorrow we are meeting at the American Legion. Antoine, the 2025 Orvis Guide of the year will be leading this session showing vets and vols alike how to time his unnamed mystery fly. Antoine has been using this on the river with great success. Baton Rouge Dr Slick On another note, we received 2 unsolicited donations. One of these unexpected deliveries came in from Baton Rouge, LA. We’re getting’ noticed! We rece

Antoine, Captain Bob and Eric are 3 of the vols that spent the time helping us move this excess gear. We participated had a successful time at the Farmington Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited's annual tag sale. We raised funds for the program unloading some our excess materials. It was a lot of work and busy as Hell, but we had a great time, shared a lot of laughs, met some new anglers that may be interested in joining or supporting the program, and we got rid of some unneed

2025 goes out to sea with 2026 on the horizon with all its possibilities Sean and John successfully brave the cold with fish to the net Vets Healing on the Fly took off the week to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with families and friends. So, we had no call, but a couple of our diehards, John and Sean were on the river and they caught multiple fish. For those that do venture out, please be careful out there. Remember Hypothermia and frostbite can happen before you know it