I have been saying for years that fly fishing has helped me escape all the stresses of the real world. I believe fly fishing helped me get through my divorce, it made me stop focusing on all the bad in my life and only focus on the fishing, which brought peace to my life.

Here is a organization that is helping men with their mental health through fly fishing: https://www.fishingthegoodfight.org/copy-of-retreats

A Letter from the Founder:

Over 15 years ago, I began struggling with anxiety and depression. Like most men, I wasn’t aware that my symptoms were treatable. I brushed these symptoms off the same way I brushed off injuries in sports, thinking that it would improve in time. The 10+ years between the onset of symptoms and my first therapy session were a very dark period in my life. I wished I had access to a community where talking about mental illness was not taboo, and was instead encouraged.

This is why I began Fishing the Good Fight in 2019. Initially, we didn’t know exactly what we wanted to do or how best to help; but we knew we needed to do something. It started out with donations to men’s mental health organizations and has since evolved to weekend wellness retreats and subsidized mental health services.

I knew we were onto something on our first retreat in Lake George. I watched five total strangers open up, get vulnerable, support each other, and catch a few fish in the process. Those five individuals still stay in touch, have tough conversations, fish, and continue their wellness journey together. 

If you’ve ever wondered about your own mental health and wanted to improve your quality of life, our organization can provide the tools, resources, and support to guide you along your wellness journey. 

Jennings Hester, Founder