Work Vessels for Vets equips injured Army SSGT Matt Tempesta with $6000 Fishing boat & gear for his guided fly-fishing tour business.

JULY 19, 2024  MYSTIC, CT  Staff Sergeant Matt Tempesta of the Massachusetts Army National Guard was activated to serve in Afghanistan in 2010 where he sustained service-connected injuries.  He has turned his life experiences from leadership in the military to a passion for fly-fishing.

“A passion which stems from both my time in service and my reverence for nature.   I’ve found solace and purpose in guiding others through the art of fly fishing,” says Tempesta.

SSG Tempesta’s  background as an Instructor/Infantrymen in the Military has equipped him with invaluable skills in leadership, communication, and the art of teaching. By channeling these abilities, he can provide aspiring anglers with not just the technical aspects of fly fishing, but also an immersive and transformative experience.

Matt is an ORVIS certified fly-fishing tour guide, as well as a qualified fishing instructor.   His guide business, Tempco Fly Fishing is up and running with the vessel and gear from Work Vessels for Vets.  Matt also works closely with nonprofit groups to assist fellow injured veterans such as Project Healing Waters and Rivers to Recovery.

“I aim to create an environment where veterans and beginners alike can find tranquility, camaraderie, and a sense of achievement on the water,” he notes.

John Niekrash, President and co-founder of Work Vessels for Vets, and a local commercial lobsterman, is thrilled to help a vet get onto the water to make a living.  “This is why we do what we do at Work Vessels for Vets.  Helping an injured veteran find a new life as a civilian entrepreneur.  We couldn’t be happier for him,” says Niekrash.