Locations

Prince Edward Island

Welcome to Heroes Mending on the Fly Prince Edward Island! Our program invites participants to discover the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing and tying while surrounded by the island’s stunning waterways. Whether you’re new to the sport or have years of experience, our program offers a supportive and welcoming environment to connect, learn, and heal.

If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, 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 Prince Edward Island!

PEI provincial director

David Doyle

PEI@hmotf.ca

Meet David

My name is David Doyle and I grew up in PEI fishing trout from a young age. In 1980, I joined the CAF and spent 27 years in uniform. My service to Canada started first as an Infantry Officer, then as a Health Services Operations Officer, and finally as a civilian manager in National Defence. In 2016, I returned to PEI and started fly fishing. Being a kayaker, I mostly fly fish the ponds, lakes and estuaries in PEI. Contacted by a friend that I had served with in Petawawa, I started the first chapter of HMOTF in PEI. With the help of a fellow Veteran and some skilled local fly-tiers, we launched the chapter in March 2025 with 11 participants. Learning to tie flies in the company of so many Veterans has brought me a sense of camaraderie and a renewed sense of purpose. I look forward to more fly-tying and fishing with this and future groups with our own flies.

Meet Shawn

My name is Shawn Arbing, and I am a lifelong resident of Prince Edward Island. I proudly served for 27 years with the Prince Edward Island Regiment, during which I completed operational deployments, including the clean-up operation following the Swissair Flight 111 disaster, a deployment to Bosnia with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), and a tour in Afghanistan with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR).

I retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2015 and currently serve as the Manager of Security and Intelligence with the Department of Justice in the PEI Provincial Government.

Outside of my professional life, I’ve been an enthusiastic beginner fly fisher and fly tyer for the past seven years. This hobby has become a meaningful way to connect with nature and unwind. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in this new hobby, while connecting with fellow veterans and first responders, and supporting them on their journey.

★★★★★

As a Veteran living with PTSD, Heroes Mending on the Fly has been a lifeline. Fly fishing brought me peace, focus, and calm I hadn’t felt in years. Being out in nature with others who understand the struggle helped me feel less alone. This group reminded me that healing is possible—and that I don’t have to do it alone.  
 C.RalphVeteran
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