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An angler in waders fishes a boulder-strewn mountain stream in early spring woods
Photo credit

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing veterans at Rapidan Camp, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Photo: N. Lewis, National Park Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fly fishing for veterans and service members

Guides and fly shops that are veteran-owned or run something for veterans and service members, the organisations that put veterans on the water, and the passes and license concessions you may already be entitled to. Every fact says where it came from.

How we identify them

We never guess anyone's service from a name, a photo, a logo or a flag. A business shows here only when one of three sources says so, and each line is labelled with which:

  • From their websiteThe business's own words about itself, quoted, with the page and the date we read it. Not checked by us.
  • Listed by SBA VetCertThe U.S. Small Business Administration's public Veteran Small Business Certification register. Verified by the register.
  • Self-reported by the businessTicked by the owner on a claimed listing, shown once we approve the claim. We don't ask for proof.

“Veteran guide” usually means experienced, “Marine” is often a forecast and “Coast Guard” is usually a captain's license, so none of those count on their own. Directory last updated October 21, 2026; each fact shows the date its page was read.

The categories

Veteran-owned 92
The business says on its own website that it is veteran-owned or veteran-operated, or that its owner served; or an official register lists it; or the owner said so on an approved claim.
Service-disabled veteran-owned 4
A service-disabled veteran-owned business (SDVOSB) in the register's or the business's own words.
Military spouse or family owned 0
Owned by a military spouse or family, only when the business says so.
Veterans on the team 134
A guide, captain or staff member who served, as the business's own team page or bio says. “Veteran guide” meaning experienced does not count.
Military or veteran discount 163
A discount for service members, veterans or their families, shown exactly as the business words it. Ask them for the terms.
Trips or programmes for veterans and service members 17
Free, subsidised or therapeutic trips, days or programmes for veterans and service members that the business runs or hosts.
Works with a veteran fishing organisation 6
The business says it works with, hosts, volunteers for or partners with a veteran fishing organisation such as Project Healing Waters. A donation link does not count.
Accessible or adaptive fishing 77
Wheelchair-accessible boats, platforms or lodging, or adaptive gear, in the business's own words. Useful to wounded veterans and to anyone with limited mobility.

Guides and shops

416 listings · page 1 of 18 · Download this list (CSV)

Quotes are the business's own words. A discount is shown exactly as they word it; ask for the terms when you book. Also in the guide directory and the shop directory with the Veterans filter.

Organisations that put veterans on the water

Run by others, not by us. Each description is the organisation's own sentence; each link goes to its own site.

United States

  • Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (opens their website)

    Fly fishing programme · Local programs in 43 states and Washington, D.C. (per its locations page)

    We are a leading nonprofit using fly fishing as therapeutic intervention for active military and Veterans.

    What it offers: Local programs teaching fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building, plus outings and community; includes a PHW Women program.

    For: Veterans and active duty military personnel in need of a healing journey

    Get involved: Find a local program on its 'Find Your Local Program' locations page and contact the program lead listed. Their page

    Programs by state: its public locator .

  • Warriors & Quiet Waters (opens their website)

    Fly fishing programme · Bozeman, Montana (Quiet Waters Ranch); mostly Southwest Montana waters, some cohorts elsewhere

    Warriors & Quiet Waters empowers post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purpose-driven lives through peak experiences in nature and evidence-based programs that foster growth, discovery, connection, and community.

    What it offers: Built for More: a cohort program with in-person weeks in Montana (Fly Fishing Track or Hunting Track) and an online Discovery Phase.

    For: post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones

    Get involved: Apply to the Built for More program; eligibility is checked against the DD214. Their page

  • Rivers of Recovery (opens their website)

    Fly fishing programme · Multi-state US trips (no schedule published; site mentions trips in Wyoming and a program in Arkansas)

    Rivers of Recovery provides rehabilitation to physically and psychologically injured U.S. combat veterans using innovative, outdoor-based therapies and pioneering research.

    What it offers: Four-day trips for up to eight combat veterans combining guided fly fishing/hunting instruction with a structured therapeutic curriculum; free to participants.

    For: physically and psychologically injured U.S. combat veterans

    Get involved: Fill out the participation form on its Participate page. Their page

  • Trout Unlimited Service Partnership (formerly Veterans Service Partnership) (opens their website)

    Fly fishing programme · Run by TU chapters and councils nationwide (400+ chapters)

    Service Partnership encourages TU members to consider how to involve first responders, military personnel, and their families in the mission.

    What it offers: Chapter-run fly fishing, fly tying and rod-building programs, including with VA facilities; participants get a free one-year TU membership.

    For: first responders, military members, and their families (not military-only)

    Get involved: Find a nearby TU chapter; Service Partnership participants can join TU free for one year. Their page

  • Heroes on the Water (opens their website)

    Kayak fishing · Volunteer chapters in local communities across the U.S.

    Founded in 2007, Heroes on the Water is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on providing recreational wellness experiences to veterans, first responders, and their families.

    What it offers: Free kayak fishing outings run by volunteer chapters, plus therapeutic programs run with VA or Department of Defense recreational therapists.

    For: U.S. active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement officers, first responders and their families

    Get involved: Find a local chapter or register for an upcoming chapter event on its events site. Their page

  • Fishing with Vets (opens their website)

    Fishing programme · Midwest: mostly Minnesota, plus South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin (one Manitoba trip listed)

    Fishing with Vets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting our nation's veterans through the peaceful, restorative act of fishing.

    What it offers: Group fishing outings (open-water and ice fishing) pairing veterans with guides at Midwest destinations.

    For: veterans, both active and retired

    Get involved: Choose an open event and send in the short application form. Their page

  • VALOR Clinic Foundation - Veterans & Family Fly Fishing days (opens their website)

    Fishing programme · Eastern Pennsylvania (Kunkletown / White Haven area)

    Valor Clinic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing non-medical veteran support services and coordinated referrals to licensed providers through VA and community partners.

    What it offers: Free guided trout-fishing days for veterans and their families, guides and equipment provided, as part of its Veterans Unstoppable program.

    For: Veterans and their families

    Get involved: Event dates and how to reserve a place are on its own site; each event page gives a phone contact. Their page

Canada

  • Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada (opens their website)

    Fly fishing programme · Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec (other provinces/territories seeking volunteers)

    Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada (HMFC) is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly-tying, fly-fishing and associated activities, including education and outings.

    What it offers: Fly-tying and fly-fishing classes, workshops and outings run by local volunteers; English and French site.

    For: disabled active Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and other public safety professionals

    Get involved: Find the program in your province on its Locations page. Their page

United Kingdom

  • Fishing For Heroes (opens their website)

    Fishing programme · UK; regional coordinators across England and Wales

    Fishing For Heroes provides fully funded fishing courses as part of a package for Veterans and active Servicemen & women who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Combat Fatigue, and other emotional or psychological problem related to their involvement on Active Service.

    What it offers: Fully funded initial four-day fishing course (tuition, tackle, licences, accommodation, transport) plus regional and national get-togethers for participants.

    For: Veterans and active Servicemen & women of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces suffering from PTSD or other emotional problems from their service

    Get involved: Contact the charity by phone, email or its contact form (which asks whether you are looking for support). Their page

  • Phoenix Heroes CIC - Veteran Carp Angling Community (opens their website)

    Fishing programme · Based in Colchester; events around the UK

    We are dedicated to supporting Armed Forces Veterans and their families by providing vital services to help with mental health, PTSD, and fostering a strong sense of community.

    What it offers: Members-only carp angling and kayak fishing events and a veteran angling community, alongside wider peer-support services.

    For: veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces and their families

    Get involved: Join the Veteran Carp Angling Community via the form on its carp angling page, then register for events. Their page

  • Army Angling Federation (opens their website)

    Angling association for serving members · UK-wide (regional groups)

    Membership of the Army Angling Federation is controlled by each discipline and is open to all serving and ex regular members of the Army, Regular and Reserve, dependants and MOD Civilians.

    What it offers: Coarse, game (fly fishing) and sea angling sections with competitions, championships and representative teams for members.

    For: serving ranks of the Regular Army, Army Reserve and FTRS (full members); dependants and ex-serving members (associate members)

    Get involved: Join through the relevant discipline section listed on its site. Their page

  • RAF Angling Association (opens their website)

    Angling association for serving members · UK-wide leagues; some overseas visits

    The Angling Association covers disciplines including Carp, Coarse, Game and Sea.

    What it offers: Carp, coarse, game and sea angling with development days, leagues, RAF Championships and representative teams.

    For: RAF personnel (serving members)

    Get involved: Get in touch via the contact on the RAF Central Fund angling page. Their page

  • Royal Navy Angling (Navy Sport) (opens their website)

    Angling association for serving members · UK (Royal Navy / Royal Marines)

    Be part of a thriving Royal Navy angling community.

    What it offers: Coarse, carp, game and sea (boat and shore) angling, from grassroots entry to competitive representation.

    For: those currently serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines

    Get involved: Contact the Navy Sport team to get started. Their page

Australia

  • Veterans For Fishing (VFF) (opens their website)

    Fishing programme · Victoria, Australia (events at e.g. Lake Eildon, Mallacoota, Mulwala)

    Run by veteran volunteers, VFF uses angling to provide veterans with a supportive community that enhances their mental health, while also building lasting connections and creating meaningful experiences.

    What it offers: Veteran fishing competitions, social fishing events and a fly fishing tutorial day.

    For: veterans

    Get involved: Visit its Facebook page, as its website directs veterans and volunteers to do. Their page

Checked October 20, 2026. We could not verify a current veterans' fishing program in New Zealand or Ireland. Know one that belongs here? Tell us with the feedback form; we add organisations whose own site we can read. More in community organisations.

Passes, licenses and concessions

Federal: America the Beautiful military passes

  • Military Lifetime Pass (America the Beautiful)

    National Park Service

    Veterans of the US Armed Forces and members of Gold Star Families are eligible for a Military Lifetime Pass.

    A free lifetime pass for veterans (including the National Guard and Reserves) and Gold Star Families.

    For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves.

    Covers: Entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees on lands run by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service and US Army Corps of Engineers.

    Not covered: Military Passes do not cover or provide discounts on other fees such as camping, tours, special recreation permits, reservation fees, fees for organized groups, or concession-operated facilities or activities. A state fishing license is separate (below).

    How to get it: Free in person at federal recreation sites that issue passes, with an accepted veteran ID (Gold Star Families bring the printed Gold Star Voucher); as a digital pass on Recreation.gov; or by mail from the USGS Store, where a processing fee applies. USGS Store

    Read it on the National Park Service site

  • Military Annual Pass (America the Beautiful)

    National Park Service

    Current members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents are eligible for a Military Annual Pass.

    A free annual pass for current service members and their dependents.

    Covers: The same entrance and standard amenity (day-use) fees as the lifetime pass, for the pass holder and the people in one private vehicle.

    Not covered: Military Passes do not cover or provide discounts on other fees such as camping, tours, special recreation permits, reservation fees, fees for organized groups, or concession-operated facilities or activities. A state fishing license is separate (below).

    How to get it: Free in person with a Common Access Card or dependent ID; as a digital pass on Recreation.gov; or by mail from the USGS Store, where a processing fee applies. USGS Store

    Read it on the National Park Service site

  • Adaptive Sports Grant Program

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    VA awards grants to qualifying organizations to plan, develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces as authorized under 38 United States Code 521A.

    VA funds organisations that run adaptive sports programmes for disabled veterans and service members. For organisations: they apply when VA publishes a funding notice.

    Read it on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site

  • Veterans find healing waters through fly fishing

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Whole Health)

    PHW gives Veterans the unique opportunity to participate in fly fishing classes and travel to local, regional, and national ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams to experience the tranquil sport at no cost to the Veteran.

    VA's own feature on Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (published 2024).

    Read it on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Whole Health) site

  • About MWR: Morale, Welfare & Recreation

    Military OneSource (Department of Defense)

    Equipment rental for camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, skiing

    Depending on the installation, MWR programmes include renting fishing equipment. The page explains who may use MWR.

    Read it on the Military OneSource (Department of Defense) site

State fishing licenses

What each state's wildlife agency says about free or reduced fishing licenses for veterans, disabled veterans, service members and their families, quoted from the agency's own page: 45 states quoted, 5 to check with the agency. Each state has its own page.

State fishing licenses for veterans, all 50 states

Outside the United States

Where an official source states a veteran or armed-forces fishing concession. Elsewhere we found none on the official page (listed below), or could not read it.

  • Ontario, Canada

    Government of Ontario

    Free fishing for Ontario residents who are Canadian Armed Forces veterans or active members; they carry their CAF ID instead of a licence.

    Starting January 1, 2019, veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces who reside in Ontario are able to enjoy free fishing across the province as a token of recognition for their service.
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Alberta, Canada

    Government of Alberta (My Wild Alberta)

    A free sportfishing licence for Canadian Armed Forces veterans living in Alberta.

    Alberta resident Canadian Armed Forces Veterans are eligible for a free sportfishing licence.
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Saskatchewan, Canada

    Government of Saskatchewan

    Free angling licences for Canadian Armed Forces veterans after a one-time eligibility check.

    In recognition of their service, Saskatchewan provides free hunting and angling licences for veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Manitoba, Canada

    Government of Manitoba (Fishing Licensing Regulation, M.R. 124/97)

    Under the regulation, Manitoba residents who are active or retired Canadian Forces members may fish without an angling licence if they carry proof of residence and their Forces ID.

    a Manitoba resident who is an active or retired member of the Canadian Forces who, immediately upon request from an officer, is able to produce proof of residence and one of the following:
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Prince Edward Island, Canada

    Government of Prince Edward Island (Angling Regulations)

    The trout and perch licence schedule lists a free courtesy licence for Canadian Armed Forces members.

    (d) Courtesy Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member Free
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Victoria, Australia

    Victorian Government

    No recreational fishing licence is needed with the Veterans Card – Victoria, which past and present ADF members living in Victoria can hold.

    Veterans are entitled to this concession. This means you do not need to purchase a fishing license. It does not apply to inland amateur netting licenses.
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Western Australia, Australia

    WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

    Half-price recreational fishing licences for people on these Veterans' Entitlements Act pensions (listed under “You only pay half the fee”).

    a pension as a widow of a member of the forces, a service pension or the special rate of pension as a person who is totally and permanently incapacitated, under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986 of the Commonwealth
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Tasmania, Australia

    Inland Fisheries Service Tasmania

    A discounted full-season inland angling licence for Pensioner Concession Card holders, including DVA-issued cards. The page says DVA Gold, White and Orange cards do not qualify.

    Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA-PCC).
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Queensland, Australia

    Queensland Government (Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme)

    Queensland has no general recreational fishing licence; the stocked-dam permit is discounted (not waived) for DVA Gold Card holders and other concession holders.

    Repatriation Health Care Card (Gold Card)
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

  • Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

    DAERA (nidirect)

    The concessionary rod licence for disabled anglers counts War Disablement Pension and Armed Forces Independence Payment. A disability concession, not a general veterans' one.

    This rod licence is for anglers who are getting one of the following allowances: Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance War Disablement Pension Severe Disablement Allowance Personal Independence Payment Armed Forces Independence Payment
    Official page, read October 20, 2026

No veteran or armed-forces concession stated: British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Fish & Game New Zealand, England and Wales (Environment Agency rod licence), Ireland (salmon and sea trout licence). Could not read: New South Wales, check the agency.

Is your business veteran-owned? Claim your listing and say so.

Find your listing in the guide directory or the shop directory, open its page and choose “Claim this listing”. The claim form has a Veterans and service members section: veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, military family owned, veterans on the team, a military discount, trips for veterans, accessible boats or lodging. It shows as “Self-reported by the business” once we approve the claim. If your business holds an SBA VetCert certification, the listing shows it as verified by the register.

Veteran-, service-member- and military-family-owned businesses get the Verified badge free. When your ownership is confirmed by your own website, the SBA VetCert register or an approved claim, the Verified badge (we check your guide or outfitter license and insurance) costs nothing and needs no paid plan, for as long as that holds. We never infer anyone's service from a name, a photo or a logo.

Not listed yet? Tell us about your business.

Find your listing

In the community

Groups are run by members. There is no veterans' group yet; you can start one, tag it “Veterans and service members” and decide who joins. You can also say privately on your account that you are a veteran, a service member or from a military family: it only changes what the site shows you first, and stays private unless you switch on a profile badge labelled “Self-identified”.

Veterans and service members groups

Your preferences

Plan a trip with veteran programs first