Locations

British Columbia

Welcome to the British Columbia Chapter of Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada. We offer veterans and first responders throughout the province opportunities to participate in fly tying, casting instruction, and fly-fishing outings. With its breathtaking landscapes and exceptional year-round fishing, British Columbia provides an ideal setting for participants to connect with nature, develop new skills, and experience the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing.

If you are a veteran or first responder living in British Columbia and would like to participate in our program, please complete our contact form. A member of our team will contact you to arrange an introductory meeting and provide information about upcoming activities.

British Columbia Provincial Director

Trent Doucette

britishcolumbia@hmotf.ca

British Columbia Provincial CO-Director – Vancouver Island

Don Smith

hmotfbc@gmail.com

Meet Trent

Good day,
My name is Trent Doucette. I joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in September 1983 through the Youth Training and Employment Program (YTEP) as an Artilleryman.

During my 10 years in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, I was posted to 3 RCHA in Shilo, Manitoba; 1 RCHA in Lahr, West Germany; and E Battery (Para), 2 RCHA in Petawawa, Ontario. During this time, I completed operational tours in Germany and Cyprus.
In 1994, I re-mustered to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician. My postings included Cold Lake, Alberta; Gagetown, New Brunswick; Edmonton, Alberta; Trenton, Ontario; and a second posting to Cold Lake. Throughout my RCAF career, I deployed to Alert, Aviano (Italy), Afghanistan (one and a half tours), Haiti, and Camp Mirage in the United Arab Emirates.

In 2012, I was honoured to be appointed a Member of the Order of Military Merit, and I retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2014.

Following my military career, I worked for Pason Systems in the oil services industry until 2022. After fully retiring, I relocated to British Columbia, where I have enjoyed living on beautiful Shuswap Lake for the past four years. I continue to pursue my passion for hunting, fishing, hiking, and spending time in the outdoors.

Although fly fishing is a relatively new pursuit for me, I have quickly developed a passion for it. I am honoured to serve our members as the British Columbia Director for Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada (HMFC) and look forward to supporting our veterans and first responders for many years to come.

Meet Don

I am a happily retired member of the Royal Canadian Navy.

I picked up fly fishing early in my career while in Halifax and I have continued my enjoyment of this sport ever since. I am also an avid fly tyer. I have been fortunate enough to have learned from some amazing fly fishers. Living on Vancouver Island, I enjoy the opportunity to fish for many types of fish year round.

Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada is a great organization and I look forward to helping those who need our support by introducing them to this most beautiful sport.

★★★★★

I’ve been a member only since COVID has been present so I have never attended a group fly tying in person apart from the one occasion this year where there were 4 of us who gathered to tie. This group has been a great thing for me as I’m a beginner and just learnt how to tie flies and it has helped me focus on
one thing at a time while I tie flies. My brain is so busy all the time and this activity allows me to focus on one thing only which is very relaxing and enjoyable. It helps reduce the stress in my life and has taught me to use my creativity and keep my dexterity as I have MS and it’s important to keep my hands working.
It has also helped me meet some veterans that suffer the same as I do and it makes me feel good to know that I am not alone. I certainly hope that in the years to come there will be more in person fly tying session so I can learn some more skills and meet new people. Thank you for supporting this group as I
believe it’s important to know that we have somewhere we belong.

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I haven’t been with the group that long and I was a bit pessimistic when I started. I sat on the outside of the circle looking in, because that was my safe zone. That safe zone is what and who I am now. I wasn’t always like that, but it’s who I become.

After listening to the others, my guards and barriers started to drop, a little at a time. These guys and girls are just like me, same story, different element but the same, just a different version. All of us have several things in common, but the love of fishing has brought us together, in a safe place with your brother in arms and when you think of it, that’s an incredible thing.

Thanks to Kalyn and this group. This supportive and helpful group has put so many checks in the boxes. I look forward to anything groups related, online meetings, tying nights, lessons, fish outs, it’s almost addictive. I’m so glad my wife persuaded me to join. Thank you so much for this group and the adventures and stories and storytelling. Looking forward to making more memories.

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