There are places I have been – discovered on road trips, revealed during journeys of other kinds and places revisited many times because their beckoning – that I consider sacred because of a particular feeling they evoke.  The kind of places where I am overwhelmed by the awareness of the peace of God which passes all understanding.  Such is the stuff of a trout stream.

There are many facets involved in the lure of a trout stream.  The preparation for the trip sparks the anticipation – the decisions of where and when, gathering of the gear, the musings over weather forecasts and, of course, the trip itself.  Trout streams are not normally located (unless you are very fortunate) in one’s back yard.  The drive, especially as the destination nears, is fueled by eager expectation.

I arrive and WOW, there it is.  It might be a fairly wide expanse of water, rippled and rushed by a relentless current, or a narrow, meandering stream that flows so slowly I must study the water carefully to determine which way it is going.  Whatever.  As I am a complete novice at all this, getting into my gear requires patience, balance and the ability to be amused when my net (attached to the back of my vest via magnets and bungee cords) insists on being everywhere except where it belongs.  Trying to act as though I’ve done this hundreds of times, checking several times to be absolutely certain my keys are secured in my vest before locking up, I carefully walk away from my van, rather clumsy in my size 10 boots.  Streamside, I scout for likely trout habitat – a log, a partially submerged windfall or a bend in the stream where the current is not as strong, a deep pool downstream from a rapids or a small waterfall, a cozy cover created by an overhanging rock or cliff – so many possibilities!

As I step carefully into the stream, scanning for slippery spots, amking certain one boot is firmly planted before lifting the other (a tumble would not only be uncool, it would spook the fish and that would be that), the sense of freedom, the appreciation of the privilege to leave shore and be one with the water begins.  As the water deepens I feel its coolness through my waders.  Oh yeah, this is GREAT.  Decision time.  Wet or dry fly?  Are he trout rising?  hiding?  Hungry?  Sometimes I can see them, positioned facing upstream, waiting.  What will it take to interest them, to have them at least look at my offering?  The fluid repetition of the cast.  the muttering when the fly does not end up where intended and gets caught and tangled elsewhere.  It’s all part of the fly fishing experience.

Having a trout take my fly, get hooked, struggle as I carefully and slowly reel it in, the netting (a procedure that, at this point in my fly fishing career, remains a total mystery to me), the landing and, finally, the removal of the hook and gentle release back into the stream – a period when time stands still and leaves me momentarily suspended in a state of awe sufficient to fuel memories for a long, long time.  Cool as this may be, I can be perfectly content just wading in the water in a serene and peaceful place, anticipating what lies around the next end.  That, for me, is the essence of the lure of a trout stream.

So many thanks for the opportunity to attend a Reeling & Healing retreat.  it was a truly renewing experience and I enjoyed every aspect of it.  it was so great to see a very diverse group of women come together and in just a short time, share and laugh and cry together.  I learned so much, not just about fly fishing in those few days.  i was truly humbled by the kindness and generosity of so many.  all the volunteers who come to help were so pleasant and helpful and did indulge me in a way that I’m not used to receiving.  It felt good and was great for me to be able to relax.  Thanks so much for all you do to make these retreats possible.  may you be blessed with ALL the energy you need and be able to find time to rest and restore yourself.  My most sincere thanks, Rose Dugale

Her answers sound like so many of us in the world.

With that the therapist said, “Do you know that most people only cry when they feel safe and comforted?”  That comment hit home for me – especially when it comes to volunteering and participating at the fly fishing wellness retreats.  One of the goals shared with the volunteers is that each of our participants must feel safe.  Another is that they depart the retreat with a “higher than a kite” feeling – that they are treated as royalty – queens, and that they’ve enjoyed themselves so much they don’t want to go home.   We never fail to achieve these goals.  At the end of each retreat, there are hugs, smiles, laughter and tears.  Tears of new found hope, renewal, acknowledgment of achievement, of trust in themselves and the world, of enlightenment and comfort.

In looking at it now, I believe those tears come to fruition from the community of loving care, support and safety we create – not just from the fly fishing.  And you know what?  It is really cool to be part of it, to watch it manifest, to feel the energy.

Come share your gifts with Reeling & Healing Midwest.  Consider volunteering.  Or share our programs with a woman battling or surviving cancer and tell them to attend.  No matter what, you have an awesome experience.

Fish On!

Personally, I feel on of the most important duties of the volunteer is to be there to listen to the participant’s story if they decide to share it and help them at the retreat by making certain they are safe, secure and comfortable.  The retreat is a respite from their cancer journey and a time to be pampered and learn something new.

I want to commend Reeling & Healing Midwest for the wonderful volunteer staffers they bring to the retreats.  They are individuals who team together who’s interest in making sure the participant has a wonderful weekend and goes home worth memories of laughter, hugs, new friends, standing in the river and putting what they have learned to good use, and fellowship with participants and volunteers.  It is a life changing experience for everyone at each retreat.

I can’t wait to come back this summer!

Posted by a participant:  “People who pray for miracles usually don’t get miracles, but people who pray for courage, for strength to bear the unbearable, for the grace to remember what they left instead of what they have lost, very often find their prayers answered.  They discover that they have more strength, more courage than they ever knew themselves to have.  Where did they get it? I would like to think their prayers helped them find that strength.”  A quote by Harold Kushner.

With Reeling & Healing Midwest and everything in fishing I say Fish On!

“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain”

“Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”

Reeling & Healing Midwest