Project: CLEARWATER

Project CLEARWATER is a grassroots effort initiated by a few dedicated anglers within Bradford County.  Mr. Todd "The Ambassador" Carr came up with the idea of a fly tying class/flyfishing class to provide a positive experience for troubled youth.  Todd contacted me and we got the ball rolling.  We would like to thank our sponsors who generously donated their support, time, materials, knowledge, and monetary donations to Project: CLEARWATER  

JJ’s Jigs of Towanda, PA
Jim Vanderpool of Clipper Jim’s Barber Shop in Wysox, PA
The Skiff-Bower Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Sayre, PA
Don Kelly owner of Tackle Shack in Wellsboro, PA
Lawfirm of Abrams and Agnellino
Attorney Tonya Knolles
Assistant District Attorney Francis Renier
Bradford County Commissioner Doug McClinko
Employees of the Bradford County Probation Office
Members of the Arthur Bradford-Northern Tier Chapter #357 of Trout Unlimited
Pa Fish & Boat Commission - Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer Peter Napoli

A special THANKS to Mr. Mike Koselnak, Mr. Ray Weaver, and Mr. Jonah "anokpeas" Gieb for helping with the mentoring of students "on-the-water" for our fishing outing.



Project: CLEARWATER is a mentoring program that not only teaches aspects of fly tying and flyfishing but introduces one to angling sportsmanship and fishery conservation.    Last year through our efforts, we were able to provide personal instruction to over 8 youths within the Bradford County area.  We met on Friday nights at the Bradford County Library.  Our first few evenings were spent teaching the basic skills of flytying, fishery conservation and stewardship, entomology, and of course - tying some flies!  Our final night of class was spent learning how to cast a flyrod.  Each student was presented with their own complete 6 weight flyrod outfit and basic flytying tools and materials upon completion of this class.


All of the flies constructed over the course of this class were donated to Project Healing Waters.  Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings. 

             

In September, 2010: we hosted another flytying class held on Friday nights at the Bradford County Library in Burlington, PA.     Our flies will be donated to Project Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery.  Casting for Recovery is a national non-profit, support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer. 


Some of our students we took to the Susquehanna River for smallmouth bass fishing

Project: CLEARWATER is a non-profit organization and all of the donations are used to provide instructional classes and to outfit flyfishing and flytying gear for the participants.  If you wish to donate to help us defray the cost of materials, rods, tools you or would like to volunteer for the on-the-stream day as a mentor please contact us.

The future of our local fisheries are with our area youth.

Our latest class will start in July 2011.  If you wish to help out in flycasting or flyfishing modules please contact JJ's Jigs.