DES MOINES, Iowa — This local group of veterans is pretty fly, and they’re currently raising funds for a three-day fly-fishing trip.

Project Healing Waters started 20 years ago as a project to help disabled veterans keep active and busy. The group has since expanded to allow all veterans, and now thousands partake across the country.

The Des Moines group gathers once a week to learned tricks of the trade, build flies, and spend time with friends. The group then goes on fly-fishing trips around the metro and put those flies to good use.

One veteran in the program says the group has helped him overcome obstacles and improve his mental and physical health.

“I live with MS and the first day I was able to come in and participate. I have issues with my hands with dexterity and sometimes tremors, and they showed me how to use the virus and tied my first fly. After about 45 minutes to an hour, my hands had actually settled down, no longer shaking,” said Jeff Cook, Project Healing Waters member for six years.

Project Healing Waters isn’t only about keeping veterans active, it also gives them a space to feel at peace and share their experiences.

“This is part of what happens when you go out. You are focused on fishing. You forget everything around you except you have the unusual come in. And this is so fantastic,” said Paul Wright, PHW Lead. “I’ve been through the ringer, so I understand. When we get together, we don’t ask questions. You talk. Fine. You don’t want to talk, don’t matter. We don’t care. We’re here to provide support.”

The group is currently raising funds to attend a special three-day trip to Strawberry Point from May 16-18, where Iowa stream trout fishing is at its finest.

“This area is very beneficial to us. For one, it we don’t have public people in the area. We don’t have a busy restaurant.,” said Ronda Long, Trout Unlimited President. “My veterans with PTSD, they really need a calm, quiet area. The trout streams are right there.”

To learn more about Project Healing Waters mission you can visit their website or contact the Des Moines program lead Paul Wright at 515-229-3299. To donate to the trip, you can contact Paul Wright or Ronda Long at 319-280-2973.