Charity Spotlight: Healing Veterans Through Fishing Our May Partnership with Rifles to Rods

The Fly Box LLC
May 1, 2025
4 min read

This feature was written by The Fly Box and published in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

Casts That Care delivers real stories, deep dives, and the heart of the fly fishing world—while donating 50% of all subscription fees to a different fishing-related nonprofit each month.

For May, we’re proud to support Rifles to Rods, a veteran-founded organization that provides free fishing trips to military veterans across Massachusetts.

Subscribe today and use promo code: “RIFLES15” at checkout for 15% off your first month—and we’ll donate an extra 25% directly to Rifles to Rods.

At Casts That Care, our mission is to harness the power of fly fishing to support causes that matter. Every month, we shine a light on a nonprofit that’s casting hope into the waters where it’s needed most. For the month of May, we’re proud to welcome Rifles to Rods as our featured partner a remarkable organization using fishing as a tool for healing, connection, and recovery among America’s veterans.

Who They Are

Rifles to Rods is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 with a singular mission: to serve the men and women who have served our country by providing them with therapeutic fishing experiences at no cost. From offshore saltwater charters on Cape Cod to peaceful fly fishing adventures in the western part of the state, their trips create space for veterans to decompress, reconnect, and rediscover a sense of purpose.

The story of Rifles to Rods begins with two friends—Army veteran Ryan Puzzo and Gerard McAllister—who both discovered the quiet power of fishing. After returning home from Afghanistan, Ryan sought peace and reconnection through time on the water. Gerard shared that love for fishing, and together they realized how profoundly healing it could be. Whether casting in calm lakes or navigating coastal waters, they saw fishing as more than a pastime—it was a pathway to restoration, reflection, and community. Inspired by this realization, they launched Rifles to Rods to share that experience with veterans across Massachusetts.

Over the years, their team has expanded to include other passionate veterans and anglers who volunteer their time, boats, and gear—all to ensure that no veteran is left behind.

Why It Matters

The transition from military service to civilian life is often described as one of the most difficult journeys a person can make. Many veterans return home only to face an invisible battle with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Rifles to Rods addresses these challenges not with prescriptions, but with patience, presence, and the unmatched calm of a day spent fishing.

These trips aren’t just about the fish. They’re about creating safe, judgment-free environments where veterans can be themselves, surrounded by others who understand their struggles. Through shared experience and the meditative act of casting a line, veterans begin to rebuild their confidence and reconnect with the world around them.

In addition to the psychological benefits, Rifles to Rods also cultivates new friendships and networks of support that extend long after the day’s final cast. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t always happen in a clinic—it can start on a riverbank, rod in hand.

Casts That Care x Rifles to Rods

Throughout the month of May, Casts That Care will proudly:

Donate 50% of all subscription proceeds to support the mission of Rifles to Rods
Share real-life stories of veterans whose lives have been touched by the program
Feature interviews with volunteers and organizers who make these trips possible
Spotlight upcoming events and opportunities for our community to get involved

We believe that by combining storytelling with action, we can make waves that ripple far beyond the banks. And we know our readers—fly fishers who value connection, purpose, and conservation—will stand with us.

How You Can Help

Subscribe to Casts That Care. Every dollar fuels both powerful journalism and tangible impact.
Donate directly at riflestorods.org to help fund future veteran fishing trips.
Volunteer your time, your boat, or your expertise to support their on-the-water efforts.
Share this article with your friends and family to spread the word about this inspiring organization.

Let’s make this May meaningful. Let’s put more rods in the hands of those who’ve carried rifles. Let’s show our veterans that their service is never forgotten—and that healing is possible, one cast at a time.

Because every cast should count for something more. Join Us Here