Anglers of Honor

Dedicated to sharing world class, therapeutic fly fishing experiences with military service personnel, individuals with physical disabilities and their families.

DONATE

Anglers of Honor

Dedicated to sharing world class, therapeutic fly fishing experiences with military service personnel, individuals with physical disabilities and their families.

DONATE

Anglers of Honor

Dedicated to sharing world class, therapeutic fly fishing experiences with military service personnel, individuals with physical disabilities and their families.

DONATE

ABOUT US

Anglers of Honor was founded by Robert F. Smith and Matthew Burkett, two entrepreneurs with the ability to envision a future of what was invisible to others. Based in Colorado, Anglers of Honor is a charitable organization that strives to make therapeutic fly fishing opportunities available to individuals with physical disabilities and their families. We aim to fulfill our mission through preservation efforts and unique programming all across the front range.

WHY WE SERVE

With over 45,000 soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan during the last decade, some families and communities are struggling to cope with the severe emotional and physical injuries sustained by our dedicated servicemen and servicewomen. Life can be uniquely difficulty for these veterans. Fly fishing has proven to be an incredibly therapeutic tool in restoring physical function and recreating lives, and Anglers of Honor is humbled to assist in the process.

HOW WE SERVE

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 Anglers of Honor 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.

ANNUAL REPORT

Anglers of Honor - 2021 Annual Report

IMPACT

1373

VETERANS SERVED

“I recently called a client who attended an Anglers of Honor trip. His wife usually answers the phone for him because he has Alzheimer’s, TBI and PTSD. He’s a Bronze Star with Valor recipient who is usually reserved and very much to himself. This day, however, I could hear him laugh – happily, playfully, carefree. It was an amazing moment because before his recent fishing trip, he did not have days like this. What a positive impact on the lives of not only the veterans, but his family as well, and in just a short time!”

Rob Altenbernd

CMSgt (Ret.), USAF

Leave it all behind

VIDEO GALLERY

EVENTS

Fundraiser: Sporting Clays at Colorado Clays

March 20, 2023

We’re pleased to share these details about an upcoming fundraiser to support our nonprofit partner, River Deep Foundation. The foundation provides administrative support and an array of other resources that help Anglers of Honor make our therapeutic fishing events possible. Please consider forming a team and registering to attend! For more information, contact Anglers...

Announcing the 2023 River Deep Season at Lincoln Hills

March 20, 2023

Each year, hundreds of wounded veterans, other individuals facing an array of mental and physical challenges, and their caregivers learn the fly-fishing basics, or show off their advanced skills with help from Anglers of Honor. And helping us make these fantastic outings possible are our nonprofit partner River Deep Foundation and Lincoln Hills Fly...

June 18, 2022 at Lincoln Hills

July 20, 2020

Hosted by: River Deep Foundation/Anglers of HonorLocation: Operation TBI Freedom, Craig Hospital, VA, Ft. Carson SRUParticipants: Operation TBI Freedom and Ft. Carson WTB to name a few It was a great day of fly fishing for all who participated in the Anglers of Honor outing at Lincoln Hills. We started with learning the basics of...

July 17, 2022 at Lincoln Hills

July 20, 2020

Hosted by: River Deep FoundationLocation: Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club- Black Hawk, COParticipants: Operation TBI Freedom, Craig Hospital, VA, Ft. Carson SRU We had an enthusiastic group of veterans and Craig Hospital grads ready to learn fly fishing! The experienced guides from Front Range Anglers started with teaching the fundamentals of gear, knots and casting...

August 20, 2022

July 20, 2020

Hosted by: River Deep FoundationLocation: Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club- Black Hawk, COParticipants: Craig Hospital, VA, Operation TBI Freedom, Ft. Carson SRU The fishing report for the day’s outing was excellent and we have a group of enthusiastic participants! Many are new to fly fishing so we started by going over the fundamentals with the...

September 17, 2022

July 20, 2020

Hosted by: River Deep FoundationLocation: Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club- Black Hawk, COParticipants: Craig Hospital, VA, Ft Carson SRU, Operation TBI Freedom It is a beautiful fall day to be fly fishing on the creek and ponds at Lincoln Hills. Most of the participants are new to fly fishing so we start with the fundamentals—gear,...

October 8, 2022

July 20, 2020

Hosted by: River Deep FoundationLocation: Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club- Black Hawk, COParticipants: Craig Hospital, Operation TBI Freedom, Ft. Carson SRU Check back for images from this outing. For more information, contact Bob Adwar, Bob@riverdeepfoundation.org/ 303.881.0400

Fundraisers

May 21, 2018

Fundraisers provide needed much needed support for Anglers of Honor and for additional programming for our veterans. Please visit River Deep Foundation for more information about how you can support us and our partners in this effort.

July 13, 2019 at Lincoln Hills

June 19, 2017

2019 dates for Anglers of Honor Events at Lincoln Hills are May 12, June 15, July 13, August 10, September 21, and October 5.

OUR PEOPLE

Founders, Staff, & Board of Directors

MATTHEW BURKETT

CO-FOUNDER

Co-Founder of Anglers of Honor, Chairman and CEO of The Flyfisher Group

ROBERT F. SMITH

FOUNDER

Founder of Anglers of Honor, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners

We invite you to read much more about Robert, founder of one of the world's leading investment firms and a long-time champion of innovative ideas that empower communities to heal and to achieve. He understands the power of the outdoors to transform and connect disenfranchised people and communities.