VALLEY — The Santa Maria Trout Club in conjunction with Santa Maria Reservoir Company hosted nine veterans from the Colorado Springs and Pueblo area representing Healing Waters Fly Fishing Project from July 9 to July 12.

This was the third successful year of hosting the veterans. This program is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of active duty military personnel and veterans with disabilities through fly fishing therapy.

The veterans were treated to lodging, meals and long days of successful fishing from the shore and on boats at Santa Maria Reservoir located above Creede. The time together was as rewarding for the veterans as well as all of the volunteers who made this trip a success.

The Trout Club and Reservoir Company would like to thank and recognize the following volunteers and donors for this trip: Roger and Lila Escheman, Ron and Judy Peterson, Art and Vickie Jones, Rod and Karen Sawyer, Richard and Suzanne Benton, Bob and Janelle Kukuk, Melanie Kukuk, Lewis Entz, Randall and Linda Palmgreen, Liam Palmgren, Connie Pleasant and Mark Mueller.

The Trout Club would especially like to thank and recognize Freemon’s Guest Ranch & General Store, Long Ridge Outfitters at Freemon’s Ranch, Greg, Starr and Waverly Pearson for their generous donation of food and supplies. The Trout Club would also like to thank Dos Rios, Mike Rios, Sunflour Bakery, Rhoda Koehn, Kentucky Belle Market and Two Rivers BBQ for their food services.

For more information on the Healing Waters Fly Fishing Project please go to www.projecthealingwaters.org

Caption: Veterans participating in the Healing Waters Fly Fishing Project gather at the Santa Maria Reservoir where they enjoyed fishing, good food and fellowship. Courtesy photo