Project Healing Waters co-founder John Colburn retirement, June 3 2009

Last night, June 2nd, I was treated to the farewell and thank you to a member of the fly fishing community that has selflessly volunteered his services, time, and money to an organization that helps wounded veterans continue to improve their motor skills and raise morale and spirits after an injury in combat.  John helped create Project Healing Waters, and has been one of the nicest people I've ever met in our shop.

I was introduced to John in November when he came in and talked about Healing Waters, and his welcoming piece of advice was to "visit Anita's Restaurant in Vienna and order the burrito numero quatro.  Best thing on the menu."  Ironically, I had not been able to visit until accepting the invite to his retirement dinner at, you guessed it, Anita's in Vienna.

Knowing only 3 people at the restaurant, I was amazed at the how cordial and receptive everyone was from Healing Waters.  We sat down to talk about all things piscatorial, and about John, and the warmth grew inside, and I was very happy to be a part of John's unofficial retirement.  As the night wore on, after food was devoured and margaritas imbibed, several people began to mention and raise their glass to John.  Being the newcommer (and resident carpetbagger), I listened to each person speak about John and all he's done for Healing Waters.

I decided that I should share a little about this gentleman that I know.  That despite having a few hip problems and having his car totaled this year, John still shows up in a motorized wheelchair after riding public transportation from DC all the way to Arlington.  He takes time his time, hand picks materials that he'll use during fly tying classes he helps run weekly, and all the time is a class act and tends to keep our attitudes upbeat.  When the shop mood starts to turn towards the more ungentlemanly side of humor, John's there to snap us back into shape.  At shows and tying demonstrations, he's polite, gentle, and meticulous in his displays of a step-by-step procedure for tying something as simple as a nymph or streamer using materials that 99% of tyers toss away.

And so, a day late and a dollar short, I'd like to thank John Colburn for his work, his time, and his friendship.

To learn more about Project Healing Waters, please visit: www.projecthealingwaters.org 

All photos courtesy of Stephanie Davison of Trout Unlimited  www.tu.org/