Remember Great Smoky Mountain Chapter webpage link: http://greatsmokymountain.tu.org/

SPECIAL GUEST-THIS THURSDAY-OCTOBER 22 6PM- CHAPTER MEETING- BLACKHORSE PUB-DAN MONEYMAKER-PROJECT HEALING WATERS VETERAN

I am asking everyone to come out for the chapter meeting this Thursday October-22 at 6PM at the Blackhorse Pub & Grill at 4429 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 (865) 249-8511. I had the good fortune of working the Project Healing Waters Grand Slam Challenge this weekend on the Clinch River and asked SGGT (retired) Dan Moneymaker if he would give a demonstration of his fly tying skills to us. Those of you who have met Dan know his instant reply was "Yes, what time do you need me? Dan was one of the first veterans to become involved in Project Healing Waters here in Knoxville and has continued his journey by now forming his own fly tying company; Healing Waters Fly Company. Dan has focused on Clinch River and Little Rver flies along with all types of flies; and in addition a future goal is to employ veterans as his endevor grows. He has dedicated hours to many TU events from the Clinch River TU "Kids Fish Free Day" and "Women on the Water", teaching and providing flies to any group who has asked.

Dan was also part of the University Of Tennessee's award winning film project "Teach a Man to Fish". This documentery is a great film about Project Healing Waters and it's work here in Knoxville lead by Steve Thompson. Steve in just 3 years has made this group a leader in the Project Healing Waters chapters across the country.

Join us Thursday October 22nd at 6PM at the Blackhorse Pub in Knoxville, a short business meeting for election of officers will precede the demonstration. Please see below a short excerpt about Dan Moneymaker and I have also included a link to the movie "Teach a Man To Fish"

http://torchbearer.utk.edu/2015/04/teach-a-man-to-fish/

SGT Dan Moneymaker (ret), a veteran of the Vietnam War.  Dan found Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing in 2013 during a chance meeting with Knoxville Program Lead, Steve Thompson.  

“If it hadn’t been for Steve and PHWFF, I would probably be dead by now. I had no purpose or meaning to my life. They have given me a reason to live and try to do good things for others” – SGT Dan Moneymaker (ret)

Since that time, and through his participation with PHWFF, Dan has found something that excites him and has renewed him.  It is nothing short of  a reemergence into the world for him.  This has lead to Dan sharing his passion for fly tying with other veterans and groups -- frequently tying thousands of flies for use by his fellow veterans and PHWFF participants: giving back to a program that has given him so much.  

"It has given me hope, it has given me direction. I am never going back to that dark place. There’s no stopping me now!” - SGT Dan Moneymaker (ret)