Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

Reeling & Healing Midwest is delighted to announce a few of our Retreat Dates for 2010.

• NEW PARTICIPANT RETREATS - 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. 

Come fly fish with us!  Fish On!

My thanks are slow in coming, but its never too late to say “THANK YOU”!.  Your organization is wonderful.  I met such wonderful people at the retreat.  It was also two of the most carefree days I’ve ever had.  Keep up the awesome work.  Thank you and Fish On!  Kim - Participant 2009

So many thanks for the opportunity to attend a Reeling & Healing Midwest retreat in July 2009.  It was a truly renewing expierience and I enjoy 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 & laugh & cry & hug together. 

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. 

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

This was truly a very positive retreat experience.  I not only learned many things about fly fishing, but also about taking time to rejuvenate myself!  I enjoyed all the volunteers and the wonderful fishers AND their kind and caring ways.  I felt indulged and it felt good.  I enjoyed the area, the river and all the beauty there.  It was a very healing experience.  Many thanks to all.

SurvivorCare
The Lance Armstrong Foundation’s mission is to empower and inspire those affected by cancer. In addition to their grassroots efforts, the LAF also offers professional support services to people affected by cancer, their loved ones and friends though their LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare program. The following are examples of where they provide help:

• 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.

Check out the article by Patricia Montemurri in August 10, 2008 The Detroit Free Press. Our own Carmen, Lauren, Tanya, Ermora, Kelley and Mark are quoted.  Here’s the link:  http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808100355

I’ll admit, I was intimidated. The idea of spending three days introducing 15 women to the sport of fly fishing was a little much. In addition these women were from different backgrounds, different ages, in different degrees of health and in different stages of a shared disease. And finally, and the piece-de-resistance, I would be one of the only males. What’s a guy to do?

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

VISIT OUR BOOTH!

Fellow Fly Fishers & Supporters,

The 2008 season will have its official start at the MFFC Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Warren, MI, this weekend! Once again, Reeling & Healing Midwest will be hosting a booth at the show. If you are planning to attend, please stop by Booth E-14/E-15 and check us out.

Some of the activities in our booth include:

• Trout Love Beads - while supplies last
• Win A Custom Graphite Rod of Your Choice by Famed Rod Builder & Designer Kerry Burkheimer.
• Special Drawing for Fishing Gear & Accessories.
• The Fly Donation Creel is Open for Your Fly Donations.
• The New “Fish On” Hat and Shirt Collection will Debut.
• Past Participants & Volunteers can order a Special Rod Outfit - rod, reel, line, leader, tippet, flies & fly box.
• Learn about our Retreats - Sign up to Volunteer, Host a Fundraiser, Recruit Participants and More.
• Sign up to Participate in the Vest Decorating Contest.

FLY DONATIONS: Thanks to the support of fly tyers and tying clubs from around the world, our fly donation campaign was a tremendous success last year. These donations allowed us to outfit all 2007 participants with flies. Our mission for 2008 is to do it again. We welcome all types of flies. Learn more here.

Stop by and check out our Show Specials too!

Again, we invite you to join us in kick-starting another great season of renewing the spirit and hope of those who are battling and surviving cancer. Stop by Booth E-14/E-15. Take time out to meet some of the wonderful women who have participated in our fly fishing wellness retreats.

If you’re interested in volunteering in our booth during the show, please send us an email or phone 616-855-4017. We need additional assistance and welcome the help.

Here is to renewed spirit and renewed hope.

FISH ON!

Reeling & Healing Midwest seeks donations of flies for use during their 2008 fly fishing wellness retreats for cancer survivors.

Last year’s Fly Donation Campaign brought in over 200 dozen flies from fly tyers and tying clubs all over the world; from Iraq, Hawaii and Patagonia, to every regions of the United States. Once again, tyers and clubs are invited to join in and make 2008 just as successful as last year. Just do it - donate flies to a good cause.

What types of flies are needed? All types, including trout flies (dries, nymphs, streamers.), bass flies, steelhead and salmon flies. Have flies in your collection that you don not foresee using? An old box with an assortment that you do n0t need anymore? Send them to us! We promise to use them in a stream, river or pond.

Reeling & Healing Midwest will host twelve to fourteen retreats in the Midwest during 2008. They anticipate over 460 cancer survivors will participate, helped along by dozens of dedicated volunteers and fishing guides who generously donate their time and services to make each retreat a meaningful success. Donated flies play a large part in the success of these retreats as well. They are a key ingredient!

No flies to donate? Consider donating monies towards the purchase of flies and fly boxes. Flies and donations can be mailed to Reeling & Healing Midwest, Attn: Margaret, 4410 South Sweetwater Lane, Branch, MI 49402.

All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.

Reeling & Healing Midwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is 100% volunteer-staffed and 100% donor-supported.

The Huron Valley Chapter of the M.S.S.F.A. is hosted their annual Spring Fishing Show at the Monroe County Expo Center in Monroe, MI on February, 9th-10th, 2008.

Our our Theresa D., Sara W., and Terrie were there with a booth for Reeling & Healing Midwest. They had a great time talking to attendees and sharing stories about R&H Midwest, handing out our trout love beads and accepting donations for our retreat programs.

Sara, an accomplished fly tyer, introduced Terrie to the world of tying. She was mesmerized by the detail and workmanship that goes into tying a fly - she was blown away.

There was a variety of exhibitors from the fishing world - local and national, as well as seminars, speakers and hands-on demonstrations. Some of the best experts throughout the Great Lakes region were present.

The show was a tremendous success for the Huron Valley Chapter and we look forward to returning next year.

Read more here.