It's the first day of fly fishing at Indian Mountain Rod and Gun Club in Jonas. The sky is cloudy and gray in the beginning of the morning, with a bit of a chill and a brisk wind forcing most of the fishers to bundle up before hitting the stream. A light drizzle almost appears likely to push people back into the safety of the club house before dissipating.

But the men and women congregating among the pavilion and shooting range at the club don't seem to mind the weather. They warm up with some coffee and chat among themselves, discussing rods and their respective service histories, while a few people drift over to the range to practice their roll cast.Everyone is ready to hit the stream, cast off and relax. And no one deserves that little luxury more than the veterans in attendance, who came from the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, along with some members of Paul's House, just a few miles away on Route 534.Tom Battista, former president of the Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited, said that the veterans need a little release, something to help them cope with the aftereffects of service."They're exposed to all sorts of stuff that's not nice," he said. "They come home, they have stuff like PTSD. We want something to get them to relax, and fly-fishing can be extremely relaxing."The day's excursion was co-sponsored by the Rod and Gun Club, with Project Healing Waters, a combined effort of fishing groups Trout Unlimited and the International Federation of Fly Fishers, providing assistance as well.Project Healing Waters started in Washington, D.C., where members of the two groups wanted to extol the virtues of fly-fishing to military personnel who had been injured or affected during their service. It is now a nationwide initiative that helps active wounded military members and disabled veterans Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country, introducing them to the physical, mental and spiritual healing afforded by fly-fishing.Glen Lippincott, director of small group operations with the Valor Clinic Foundation, agreed with Battista on the positive effects of fly-fishing for veterans dealing with mental health issues."We call it a downward spiral, your mind becomes hard-wired to negative things. Doing something like fly-fishing, it's something of an art form. It requires a great deal of focus or concentration on doing something that's positive. That's good therapy," he said.International Federation of Fly Fishers certified casting instructor John Rocchio handled casting lessons for first-timers, getting them accustomed to the precise forearm motion necessary for a good cast. Rocchio said that he has seen quite a few people come out with no experience or interest, but leave as avid fisherman."There are guys I have seen who would just sit there. Now, they're fishers. Even if you come and don't fish, if you're watching, you might think, 'Man, that looks cool.' If you take a look, none of these guys have casted before, until they were with me," Rocchio said, pointing to a handful of people practicing proficiently in the field."It's great to see these guys get better, it's great to see them have fun. It opens your heart to more."Heidi Marie Cebrick, the Wilkes-Barre program lead for Project Healing Waters, was happy to see a mix of past attendees and new faces, hoping that they will be able to enjoy a pleasant day while picking up a therapeutic technique that they can take home with them."We want them to learn how to fly fish, and learn to do it on their own, too, to use it as their own form of therapy. If they have a bad day, and they have a pond that they can go to and through a line out and catch some bluegills or a couple a bass, they can do so," she said.It isn't a particularly bountiful afternoon at the stream, but as they say, it's why they call it 'fishing' and not 'catching.' None of the veterans seem to mind though, rather, they appear tranquil as they gently roll cast their lines into the water, swishing their flies gently to tempt some trout."It has to warm up a little bit, then they'll be more active," Army veteran Ted Shudak said as he waded in the stream. "Other than that, it's been a good time."Shudak said he has been attending the fly-fishing event for the past four years, usually netting the highest number of catches.Marine veteran and fly-fishing rookie Jake McCloskey was able to snag himself a trout, and he's looking forward to doing it again."I picked up a new hobby, that's for sure. I tried fly-fishing one time as a kid, and it didn't work out so well. This is the first trout I've caught on a fly rod, it was a great experience overall," McCloskey said, pointing out that the event has provided a sense of camaraderie with his fellow servicemen and women.Two branches of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Western Pocono and Pocono Mountain, staffed the kitchen to prepare lunch for the veterans as they enjoyed the peaceful flow of the water and methodical motion of the cast."It's to say thank you to guys and gals who risked their lives for us. They should always be remembered," Judy Grace, General Federation of Women's Clubs Pennsylvania State Secretary, said.The spread included hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, fresh baked deserts and more. The tables fill up as the veterans down a hearty lunch and discuss the fishing conditions, fly types, and casting techniques. As good as the meal was, many of the vets are geared up to get right back to the stream's edge as soon as they finish.Dennis Frison, a Vietnam veteran who used to fish for bass in the Florida everglades, is ready to roll as he steps out from the club house. It's his first time fly-fishing, and he already sees the appeal, and the positive effects it can bring to fellow veterans."I always thought fly-fishing was so fly, so graceful," he said, smiling at the pun. "It takes your mind away, you know what I'm saying? We all need those moments of clarity. It's a great way to relax and get away. It's a beautiful thing."Check out the Times News Facebook page for a video of Tom Rocchio demonstrating a cast, and Army veteran Dennis Frison fly-fishing in the stream at Indian Mountain Rod and Gun Club.