From left, Trout Unlimited volunteer Terry Douglas works with veterans Robert Bogus and Cindy and Rick Manz, who are building their own custom fly rods at a class sponsored by the Knoxville Chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. Image by Wayne Nobles.

KODAK, TN — Seven veterans from the Knoxville Chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing are creating their own custom fly rods in the first of two classes this winter sponsored by PHWFF, hosted by Bass Pro Shop and taught by custom rod builder Brent Bonar of Kodak (www.bonarcustomflyrods.com).

Four of the vets plan to enter their creations in a nationwide contest for disabled military members and vets, also sponsored by PHWFF. The class gives participants the experience of building their own fly rods; the competition adds an opportunity to win prizes such as attending a bamboo rod building school or enjoying a PHWFF national fly fishing trip.

Volunteering to teach along with Bonar is bamboo rod builder Terry Douglas of Jacksboro, a member of the Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

The class is meeting in a second-floor classroom at Bass Pro in Kodak on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Because this is the inaugural class and organizers don't know how long the process will take, no finish date has been specified, but the second class will start immediately after the first one. Disabled military personnel and veterans who are interested in the second class should contact Wayne Nobles of the Knoxville Chapter PHWFF at waynenobles@bellsouth.net or (865) 335-2485.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is dedicated to the emotional and physical rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans and active military members through fly fishing. In addition to rod building classes, PHWFF conducts fishing outings and fly tying classes.

The Knoxville Chapter was organized in partnership with the Clinch River Chapter TU, which provides volunteers for PHWFF events. For information about the Clinch River Chapter TU's part in the class and competition, contact Terry Douglas at terry@douglasflyrods.com or (423) 912-0402.