Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

The Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo held their second annual show in early February and we were there!

Tom Helgeson, editor and publisher of Midwest Fly Fishing magazine, and his staff organized another great show. The new location at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL, was the place to be and learn more about fly fishing.

There were a number of presentations, learning sessions and programs available for all attendees. Some of the guest speakers were Gary Borger, Jason Borger, Kevin Feenstra, Diane Rudolph, Pat Ehlers, and Dennis Potter. The sessions were well attended and quite interesting and informative.

Many tyers and tying clubs were represented as well - Bear Andrews, the “Boys” from DRIFT, NIFTY, Small Mouth Alliance and the crew from Chicago Fly Fishers were tying away, telling stories and so much fun.

Local shops were there too - Coren’s, One More Cast, Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters and of course Orvis Chicago.

Our booth was “manned” by the rock star volunteer team of Dave Madden (E.D.T.U.), Paul Melchior (Angling Escapes) and Wally Bock (O.B.T.U.). They worked hard to share the Reeling & Healing Midwest story of “Fish On”, recruit new participants and volunteers, host a drawing for a pair of Cubs tickets and of course, hand out our trout love bead necklaces.

Check out these links to learn more about Reeling & Healing Midwest, Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo, Midwest Fly Fishing magazine, and the vendors at the expo.

Announcing a Special Offer From
Reeling & Healing Midwest and the
St. Croix Rod Company

Are you ready to fish your own rod and reel outfit?

We’re delighted to announce that St. Croix Rod Company has heard our requests and is offering a special package exclusive to Reeling & Healing Midwest.

The combination package consists of a 2 or 4 piece, 8′6″, 5 wt. fly rod, matching reel, fly line, leader, spool of tippet, small foam fly box, 18 assorted flies and shipping costs. We have used these rod outfits at our retreat programs for +3 years and they’ve worked out well. We recommend this rod outfit for novice/beginner level fishermen or individuals who may fish for trout, panfish or bass, less than 15 times a year.

Learn more about cost and ordering here.

This offer is exclusive to Reeling & Healing Midwest participants, volunteers and their family members.

Phone 616-855-4017 with any questions.

FISH ON!

Reeling & Healing Midwest is heading to Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, MI from January 11-13, 2008 for our Third Annual Winter Retreat.

The “Pamper Your Inner Vixen” retreat will feature a guest speaker, Barb Badolati, from Alive & Well, spa treatments from The Looking Glass Spa, an interactive cooking class with Whole Foods Chef and Food & Lifestyle Counselor, Nancy Schwalm, African healing drumming with Rhythmic Adventures of Traverse City, MI, and a variety of outdoor and indoor activities to choose from.

It may be too cold to fly fish, but its always a good time to renew your spirit and hope and start the new year with a little pampering and fun. The plus is the camaraderie and support from new friends too.

Interested? We have a couple more openings available. Check out
our announcement and registration form for more details or phone 616-855-4017.

The Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo - Chicagoland is back for its second year.

The Expo will take place Friday, February 8th, through Sunday, February 10th at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center.

• Free fly casting lessons
• More than 40 Free presentations
• Instruction for beginners
• Fly tying instruction and demos
• Women in fly fishing workshops
• Conservation
• 2008 tackle and gear and travel exhibits
• Aquatic insect display
• +100 exhibits
• Go to www.greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com for more info or sign up for their free newsletter.
• Download their expo flyer: GreatWatersFlyer.

Sponsored by Midwest Fly Fishing magazine

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

The will be 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 will be presenting.

The show hours are 9 am until 8 pm on Saturday, February 9th, and 9 am until 5 pm on Sunday, February 10th.

Visit the Huron Valley Steelheaders website for more details.

You’ll find directions to the Monroe Expo Center here.

We’re reaching out to you for assistance with a volunteer project.

We have the hands to knit wool socks for all of our future new participants but we’re low on the wool. What are we looking for? Worsted weight, wool and wool blend yarn in BRIGHT colors. Seems this is best for wearing under our waders while in the river.

Let us know if you have some to donate. Send an email or give a call (616-855-4017) and we can have a volunteer pick it up or let you know where to send it.

Here’s wool to you for helping us us others. Thanks.

Recently, a famed fly shop in Illinois, TROUT and GROUSE decided to find a new home for their rental waders that had been hiding out in their stockroom. And that new home is with Reeling and Healing Midwest!

We’re delighted to have them - some barely used, stocking foot and boot foot, all shapes sizes and labels. Heck, they even threw in a couple pairs of wading boots! They’ll come in handy next year as we undergo an expansion of our programs and reach out to provide our retreats to more cancer survivors.

Thanks to Curt, Peter and Paul for thinking of us.

Trout and Grouse is located at 840 Willow Road (next to Whole Foods) in Northbrook, IL. Phone 847-480-0111

Through our partnership with Trout Unlimited, each of our 2007 New Participants were offered the opportunity to receive a one-year membership to Trout Unlimited.

The individuals who accepted the membership offer will be assigned to a local chapter near their home address. The chapters meet regularly to hear about fishing hot spots from Maine to the Bahamas, discuss conservation issues, plan work days on their home waters, organize fundraisers, and of course, swap a few fish tales and learn how to tie the latest fly patterns. Most chapters provide opportunities to learn more about the sport of fly fishing, conservation, and our waterways.

Members will receive TROUT, TU’s award-winning color magazine. Four issues a year, full of conservation news, updates on TU activities, grassroots success stories, and fishing destinations.

Trout Unlimited is dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Thanks for your support TU.

Never in my wildest dreams did I believe

…I would fly fish.

…I would be treated like a queen.

…I would make new friends.

…I would be able to share my story.

…I would be accepted for who I am, right here, right now.

…I would overcome so much doubt.

…I would laugh so much.

…I would find healing through nature’s beauty.

…I would have so much fun and experience joy.

Thank you for guiding me to renew my spirit and hope. I will forever keep the retreat adventure close to my heart and find on-going great strength from my experience in the river.

FISH ON!

-A Very Grateful Participant

THESE WERE GREAT!�� THANK YOU!