Locations

British Columbia

Welcome to the British Columbia chapter of Heroes Mending on the Fly Canada, where we provide fly fishing and fly tying opportunities to veterans and first responders across the province. With stunning landscapes and year-round access to incredible fishing, our BC program offers participants the chance to connect with nature, learn new skills, and find therapeutic support.

Please use our contact form to get in touch so we can arrange an introduction and outing for you if you are a potential participant from British Columbia!

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.

★★★★★

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.

–

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.

–