Current Programs

Weekly Workshops: Building Skills Together

Our weekly workshops give veterans steady, hands on experience with the essential skills of fly-fishing in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Each session focuses on building confidence, technique, and a deeper connection to the water.

• Fly tying: Learning to create flies that match local insects and reflect the conditions on our rivers and lakes.
• Knot skills: Practicing the knots that keep the line, leader, and fly connected and dependable.
• Gear and equipment: Understanding how to select rods, reels, lines, and leaders suited to each fishing environment.
• Casting techniques: Improving accuracy, distance, and comfort through patient instruction and guided practice.
• Safety: Reviewing safe practices on the water, situational awareness, and proper handling of equipment.
• Environmental stewardship: Learning how to minimize our impact on waterways and safeguard natural habitats.

These workshops support veterans of all experience levels. Whether someone is brand new to fly-fishing or has years of time on the water, each session offers a space to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections with others in the program.

Private Water Retreats

Our private water retreats give veterans access to quiet, secluded fisheries across Northern California. These locations offer peaceful, natural surroundings where participants can set aside daily pressures and spend unhurried time on the water.

Each retreat provides room for reflection, steady learning, and conversation without distraction. Veterans can focus on building confidence, reconnecting with nature, and strengthening bonds with others who understand their experiences. The calm environment supports emotional well-being and reinforces the sense of community that defines Hooked on Healing.

Professional Drift Boat Floats

Our guided drift boat floats give veterans the chance to experience Northern California’s rivers from a stable, comfortable platform with experienced professionals at the oars. These outings introduce participants to river environments in a steady, low pressure way that supports learning and enjoyment.

Guides offer clear instruction on reading water, presenting a fly, and understanding river safety, creating an experience that is both educational and calming. Whether someone is new to fly-fishing or already experienced, these trips help veterans develop their skills, appreciate the natural beauty of our rivers, and share meaningful time with fellow participants.

Personalized One-on-One Fly-Fishing Outings

For veterans who appreciate a more individualized experience, we offer full day one-on-one outings with our dedicated volunteer team. Many of our volunteers are veterans themselves and bring a shared understanding of military service, transition, and recovery.

These outings are shaped around the needs and comfort of each participant. Veterans receive focused instruction, steady guidance on the water, and the chance to spend meaningful time in calm natural settings. The goal is not only to improve skill and confidence, but to provide a restorative day outdoors where veterans can reflect, reset, and reconnect with what brings them peace.

Developing a Supportive Community

Our programs extend beyond skills and instruction. They are built to create a community where veterans feel understood, valued, and supported. Time on the water, shared workshops, and the simple conversations that happen before and after each outing help veterans connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

These relationships often become a meaningful source of strength. Veterans encourage one another, share stories, and build trust in an environment where they do not have to explain their experiences. This sense of belonging is a vital part of healing and remains one of the most important outcomes of our work.

Acknowledging Our Supporters and Giving Back

The work of Hooked on Healing is made possible by the generosity of private lodge owners, professional guides, volunteers, businesses, and individual donors who believe in our mission. Their contributions create life changing experiences for the veterans we serve and allow us to offer every program at no cost.

In appreciation, we organize group volunteer efforts twice each year. During these events, our veterans and volunteers give their time to organizations throughout Northern California that support the wider community. These efforts reflect our commitment to service, strengthen local partnerships, and honor the people who stand beside us in our mission to support disabled veterans.