• NEW PARTICIPANT RETREATSÂ - Gates Au Sable Lodge in Grayling, MI:

Sunday, July 18 – Tuesday, July 20

Sunday, July 25 – Tuesday, July 27

Sunday, August 8 – Tuesday, August 10

Sunday, August 15 – Tuesday, August 17

• REUNION RETREATS

Annual Mother’s Day Retreat on the North Branch of the Au Sable River in Lovells, MI – May 7-9

Annual One Day of Fly Fishing on the Pere Marquette River in Baldwin, MI – Saturday, July 10

For more information or to sign-up, please email us at info@ReelingandHealing.org.Â

Come fly fish with us! Fish On!

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I learned so much – not just about fly fishing. I was humbled by the kindness and generosity of so many. All the volunteers who come were so pleasant and helpful and did indulge me in a way that I’m not used to. It felt good and was great for me to be able to relax.Â

Thanks so much for all you do to make these retreats possible. May you be blessed with all the energy you need to continue on. Most sincere thanks and Fish On! Rose – Participant 2009

• Emotional support
• Individual counseling
• Financial assistance
• Assistance with legal and/or insurance issues
• Help with matching cancer patients to clinical trials

If you would like more information and/or assistance with the services listed above or know someone that could benefit from one-on-one support, please contact LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare toll free at 1-866-235-7205, or complete the form provided at www.livestrong.org/survivorcare. Professional Case Managers and Licensed Oncology Social Workers help navigate patients and their families through the maze of resources and to help assist in decisions. The program is available M-F, 9-5 EST.

During the preceding weeks, and all the way up until the first participant arrived, I was running scenario after scenario through my head. What do i do in case this happens, or this, or, god forbid, that?! I have taught dozens and dozens of people how to fly fish, often times in groups, but this was a whole new ballgame. As I said, I was intimidated.

So, how did it turn out you may be wondering? In short, it was a very special experience. The biggest part of it was not the fishing. It was being there. Yes, the fishing was fun and the chance to pass along knowledge and experiences to potential new devotees of a sport I love was enjoyable enough alone. The chance to spend some time on a lovely piece of trout water was also great. It all pales in comparison to the people. Those same people whom I spent hours and hours worrying about. How is that for irony?

Of course I did my share of carrying things from here to there, getting water, keeping track of equipment and other sorts of things. All the volunteers did. Those types of tasks are rewarding on their own. But it was being in the water with the participants – that’s where real special things happened. Women who normally have difficulty walking, relishing the river pushing against their legs. Or women who would cast their fly and actually see a trout rise – only to forget to set the hook because they turned to share a smile that a trout was “out there.” I watched their faces light up as the river worked its magic.

Out of the river, listening to them laugh and cry while talking with others, was…educational. Even I blushed a few times overhearing a few things (you know who you are).

I have done as much thinking about that time and those women since as before. Now I run things that happened over and over in my mind and it brings a smile. I am just as anxious as before. Anxious to do it again.

-DGM, Volunteer & River Guide