Flyfishing September 2025 On Tuesday, September 2nd, our Heroes Rising Outdoors Fall Fly Fishing Class kicked off! We’re honored to have 8 veterans participating this season. To start the day, each veteran introduced themselves, shared their branch of service, and a little about their background. Our incredible instructors, Don T. and Earlene S., led the session by covering the basics of fly fishing. From the essential equipment and safety gear, to reading a creek, understanding hatches, and identifying the best spots to find trout. Each participant had the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their knowledge. Next Tuesday, the class will continue as our veterans learn important fishing knots and get hands-on practice tying them! Tuesday, September 16 our veterans met at Pioneer Park to learn the different types of casts for fly fishing. Each person received their gear, and were taught the proper way to assemble the fly rod and thread the line. We then took each veteran to the grassy area and had them start with the pick up and lay down cast. Once we felt they were getting that cast well enough, we taught them the roll cast, which is what we will be using most at Christopher Creek because of overhanging limbs, etc. After casting on the grass, we had them move to the pond to practice casting on water. The resistance of the water makes it easier. Each veteran had a piece of yarn tied to the end of the line to simulate a fly. By the end of the day, the casts were looking really good, and next week we will have one more casting session before hitting the creek for our trip. On Friday, September 26-28 the Heroes Rising Outdoors held its fly fishing camp at the R Bar C Scout Ranch outside of Payson. Friday the rain was falling heavy most of the afternoon and evening, so we all stayed in the cabin until our steak supper was done. Saturday the weather was perfect for fishing, but the muddy creeks made it a challenge. We tried several different creeks and were able to catch a few fish but not as many as usual. Each veteran had a great time being out on the creeks, even if the fish weren’t biting as much. The great food prepared by our camp cooks made us forget the days struggle on the streams, especially the fish fry for supper and the card games at night.
March 1st our veterans came together for a fishing weekend they will not soon forget. As each person trickled in through the day on Friday, we had a boat or two ready in case they wanted to get some evening fishing in. Most opted to just hang out around camp and get to know everyone, but some went out scouting for the next day. We were able to let the veterans know which boat that they would be paired with for the first fishing session the next morning. We had a great time around camp and had some alfredo/marinara pasta and sides to top off the day. March 2nd, we woke up early for a 5 AM breakfast, and after a great hot breakfast with sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and eggs we started preparing for the morning fishing session. After each veteran had their gear packed, we all headed over to the main boat launch area and met up with our other 3 boats that had arrived that morning. The morning fishing session proved successful and most of our veterans caught fish. Around noon the guys came in for brats/hotdogs and a nice lunch break. During this time, we were able to do a raffle to give away 2 quilts to 2 different veterans, and 2 steering wheel covers made by one of the ladies who sewed the quilts to the volunteers. We also were able to pair up the veterans with different boats for the afternoon sessions. The goal of pairing them with different boats was for them to get different techniques and ideas from multiple guides. The afternoon fishing session proved a little tougher because of windy conditions but still had a little success. Saturday evening after fishing, we had a Cajun fish fry prepared with hushpuppies for the veterans as they arrived. Saturday night we had a campfire and sat around for a couple of hours having great conversations, listening to the fishing stories for the day, and lots of laughter. We gave the pairings for the final morning session on Sunday also. Sunday morning, we again had a nice hot breakfast around 5 AM with bacon, pancakes, sausage, and biscuits/gravy. Afterwards the veterans got on the water for the final fishing session, and this day was the nicest day of all. The lake was calm and the fish were biting. To say that our first ever bass fishing trip was a success would be a huge understatement. The best thing that I was able to do this weekend was sit back and observe the veterans and their interactions with each other, with the guides, with the volunteers and see the smiles on their faces. Not only with the fish that they caught, or the quilts they were drawn for, but the ability to connect with others who have been through the same things as they have. Lifelong friendships were established, and that is why we at the Arizona Elk Society and Heroes Rising Outdoors have these events. We would like to give a huge amount of gratitude and thanks for those who donated not only of their time, but also boats this weekend. We have another set of bass fishing classes and trip scheduled for this fall.
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