War is h*ll. The adrenaline rush that fills your ears and gives you super hero abilities dulls after battle and you are left with a mixture of relief, exhilaration, exhaustion and a guilty nausea that doesn’t leave. Battle after battle it builds. Like a stack of books, it builds higher and higher until, one day, a slight disturbance or a passing breeze in the auto parts aisle at Walmart, is enough to bring it all crashing down. This is PTSD and you don’t know when it might rear its head.
Up to thirty percent of veterans return home carrying the invisible wounds of war from tours in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. PTSD does not discriminate, affecting every race, gender, and background alike. Human beings were never meant to witness violence, endure trauma and emerge untouched. Yet, countless veterans are left fighting battles long after the war has ended, struggling with emotions no one is truly prepared to carry alone. For many, the weight of those experiences can lead to overwhelming isolation, heartbreak, and a profound sense of hopelessness.
No one knows this better than Rene, Dutch and Russell. Three men brought together by their love of country, the outdoors and fishing; they have seen what war can do to the best of men, but never believed there wasn’t a path to healing. But, they may have never met in life if it hadn’t been for the river. Water has a way of calming the mind while awakening emotion. It creates space to reflect, process, and let go of the weight we carry, washing away what no longer serves us and leaving behind clarity, peace, and perspective.
When Rene Hesse first stepped into the river twenty years ago with a veteran named Jim, he had no idea the impact that moment would have in the years to come. What began as teaching veterans how to tie flies and cast a line soon became something much deeper, offering a space where camaraderie, brotherhood, and the shared experiences of combat could foster healing and connection. That vision became the foundation of Veterans Fly Fishing, which Rene proudly co-founded and first served on the board for in 2014.
Rene reflects,” The twenty plus veterans in the program were moving from house to river, from the fog of daily medication to clearheaded and coming to a serene place where folks understood how they were feeling. As the program grew, regulars fished on designated days, shared lunch, and explored every aspect of fly fishing”.
Russell Ballew has also been there since the beginning when in 2014, his veteran friend invited him one sunny afternoon and he had no idea how this one outing would change his life.
Russell shares, “When I showed up I noticed that there were a lot of guys that were dealing with some of the same problems I was dealing with. Anxiety and depression about what had happened to us during our time in service, but mostly dealing with day to day life without any support. When you leave the military, you lose your job then lose your friendships, your purpose and your support. Basically, you are on your own to figure it out once you sign out and leave your last duty station”.
Dr. John Mauldin, a psychologist who lost a leg at war, began the program in 2014 and realized the benefits of the program instantly as he spoke with veterans that were experiencing a tough time after service. “Just like everything else in his life Dr J mastered the art and soon became a certified casting instructor for FFI. He served as the president until his death in September of 2025. It was a huge loss for everyone involved. I was the Vice president for VFF and was elected President after his passing. We knew as a group that we had to keep Dr John's legacy alive”, says Russell.
Over the past twelve years, Veterans Fly Fishing has helped countless veterans reconnect with themselves and others by providing support in processing trauma, navigating life after service, and discovering healing through a shared passion for fly fishing. Roswell's Dutch Earle has been a volunteer member for three years and is passionate about what the organization is doing. He shares that each veteran is assigned a guide who is an experienced fly fisher and is certified through a structured VFF training program. With this one-on-one connection veterans have the opportunity to feel at ease on the water.
Dutch states, “Veterans Fly Fishing is affiliated with Fly Fishers International and run exclusively by volunteers. Our funding is solely through local donations and goes towards fish stocking, equipment and lunches. Montaluce Winery donates a section of the Etowah River on their property for our events”.
So, on the first and third Monday of every month from October through June, you will find veterans, abled and disabled alike, gathered beside the water to find something often lost after service: peace, connection, and a quiet sense of healing found only in the rhythm of casting a fly.
Veterans Fly Fishing meets the first and third Monday of every month from October through June along the Etowah River. The organization provides veterans with equipment, guidance and a supportive community centered around the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing. Each participant is paired with a trained guide, creating opportunities for mentorship, connection and healing. Run entirely by volunteers and funded through local donations, the nonprofit offers veterans a peaceful environment where they can process trauma, build friendships and rediscover purpose after service. For many participants, the river has become more than a place to fish, it has become a place to heal.