Anglers of Honor

Founded in 2016, Anglers of Honor (AOH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Lakewood, CO. During Colorado's fishing season (roughly May through October of each year), AOH organizes and operates therapeutic fly fishing outings for active-duty and military veterans, as well as others with spinal cord injuries and their families. Each participant is trained by a professional guide and spends time on the water catching and releasing wild trout throughout the morning. After fishing ends, lunch is provided. 

Each donor's investment in Anglers of Honor is used directly to deliver services to our participants, including transportation, equipment, training by professional guides, food, and other program-related expenses. 

More than 45,000 soldiers have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan during the last decade, leaving families struggling to cope with the severe emotional and physical injuries sustained by our courageous vets. Anglers of Honor works directly with veterans with disabilities and their families to aid in their recovery and acclimation to life after active duty. We also work with individuals suffering from spinal cord and traumatic brain injury to provide accessible and therapeutic fishing opportunities. Through the program, participants and their families learn the basics of fly fishing which they get to put to immediate use on premier private fly fishing water, restored to allow access for individuals with disabilities.

Anglers of Honor has no full-time staff and is supported by dedicated volunteers. We are also a part of the River Deep Alliance, a group of organizations all serving veterans and people with spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. The following entities are also part of the Alliance:

1. River Deep Foundation
2. Craig Foundation
3. Operation TBI Freedom
4. Safari Club International Denver Chapter's Humanitarian Outreach program (SCIHOP)
5. Victory Service Dogs
6. Quality of Life Plus
7. Belleview Spine and Wellness's PainFreeMilitary.com program
8. Denver Adaptive Divers
9. Comeback Yoga
10. Veteran's Administration
11. Fort Carson Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU)

All of these organizations focus on healing and support from physical, psychological, or emotional injuries and trauma sustained during military duty and/or civilian life. Examples included severe physical injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), and Spinal Cord Injuries. Working together, our programs bring activities and services enabling each veteran to re-acclimate to civilian life, as well as re-engaging in other activities.   A positive outlook is crucial to the healing process and these activities and services have proven effective in improving individual's outlooks and day-to-day quality of life.