“Breaking Through” Selected for 2015 Fly Fishing Film Tour

A film about the life of Vietnam veteran Larry Fivecoats has been selected to be a part of the 2015 Fly Fishing Film Tour. The film is written and directed by Colorado fishing guide and filmmaker Scott Thompson and features the programs of Project Healing Waters.

Read more in the press release below.   

“Breaking Through: The Story of Larry Fivecoats” Selected for The Fly Fishing Film Tour

Larry Fivecoats served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. In that time, Larry was involved in over 150 firefights and witnessed very heavy casualties. When he returned from war, he found himself struggling with the lasting symptoms of PTSD and depression, and began to contemplate suicide. Then Larry was introduced to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.

We are pleased to announce that “Breaking Through: The Story of Larry Fivecoats” has been selected for the 2015 Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T).  Written and directed by Colorado fishing guide-turned-filmmaker Scott Thompson, this film shares the story of Larry Fivecoats and the restorative power of fly fishing through the Project Healing Waters program.

“Larry Fivecoats not only has an important story to tell us about war and the lasting impacts it has had on his life.  He also has a story to tell of personal growth fostered by something that is not in a book, or a clinic, or prescribed by a physician.  It cannot be bought or sold, or properly described in 10 words or less.

“I hurt so much, and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me,” Larry Fivecoats shares in the film, “The program itself has given me the capability, I think, to go fishing on my own. Not isolate, but go fishing. I don’t know if it’s the water, I don’t know if it’s the sound of the water, or the motion of the fly rod, but being able to concentrate on something other than my own thoughts is amazing. It’s so lifting. … The endorphins, I think, kick in in the brain and say, ‘I want more of this. I want more of this feeling.”

Fly fishing is many things to many people.  For most it’s a really fun activity to participate in a few times a year.  For some, it is a career, an escape, and even a lifestyle.  But listen for a while to what it means to Larry Fivecoats and the thousands of other veterans whose lives have been transformed by Project Healing Waters; and you may begin to appreciate the greater purpose we are all called to in fly fishing”. – Scott Thompson, Writer & Director

“It’s all there. All the pieces can come together in fly-fishing. Even for individuals who have been to the ends of the earth and have been through hell, there’s still fly-fishing out there.” – Larry Fivecoats, 173rd Airborne Brigade

About The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T):

“The original and preeminent exhibition of fly fishing cinema, The F3T is a one of a kind experience. Each year fishy folk of all ages gather at premieres to soak up films from around the world, spin a few yarns amongst friends and dream about casts still unmade. If you’ve been, you know what we’re talking about. If you haven’t, we hope to see you soon!

Since its inception in 2007 The F3T has grown more than 30% each year; reaching nearly 50,000 anglers across North America last season. To keep up with demand we’ve added new towns to the 2014 schedule and increased our capacity in the communities that have been supporting us for years. CLICK HERE FOR THE 2015 SCHEDULE

In addition to showcasing world-class fly fishing films, The F3T is dedicated to supporting the local fly shops and conservation groups that form the backbone of our sport’s educational and environmental efforts. Discount F3T tickets are available at more than 150 fly shops across the country. A portion of those ticket sales go directly to support fishing and habitat-related conservation groups. In 2013 we raised $250,000 for our conservation partners and have used our voice to bring greater attention and support to groups like Trout Unlimited, Wild Steelhead Coalition, Bonefish Tarpon Trust, Utah Stream Access Coalition and Stop Pebble Mine and many more.”