Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

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.

What an opportunity R&H Midwest was to be with ourselves, and in Mother Nature, with an incredible group of loving people. It was a place where my heart could “come out”, a place to get involved and discover. Thank you for a well-planned, fun, interesting, and very rewarding retreat! -Nancy S.

The October Retreat was fantastic! A wonderful group of survivors and volunteers eager to fish the Pere Marquette in search of brown trout, steelhead and salmon. The weather was amazing - better than last year when I had on four layers of clothing. I left the mittens and ear muffs at the river lodge and was in the river, helping guide, taking photos and listening to everyone’s story.

Read more about the retreat here.

I can’t wait for next year!

2007 was a fabulous year for Reeling and Healing Midwest.

Check out our 2007 Season Review and other retreat follow-ups. You can view photo and learn about what happened along the river banks. Follow this link to the main page and take time to check out the other links you find there.

Join us for the Third Annual Winter Retreat at Crystal Mountain Resort! Start off 2008 with a bang. More details below.

Download Registration Form

Twenty-five participants and volunteers are scheduled to fish the famed waters of the Pere Marquette River this weekend in Branch, MI. We’ll be staying at a private river lodge high on a bluff over the river with a thirst to fish for steelhead, brown and rainbow trout. Rumor is a few salmon are still occupying the waters as well. Perhaps we’ll see a few in action.

Survivors from all over the State of Michigan will be in attendance. A few have fished in the fall, but for a majority of the attendees, this is a first-time experience.

The weather forecast is great for fishing - 60 degrees and partly cloudy with the chance of showers.

Keep an eye out for our recap and photos.

FISH ON!

A great article about Reeling & Healing Midwest recently appeared in the July / August 2007 issue of Michigan Trout Magazine published by Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited. You can download a PDF of the article here.

Our third men���s retreat went off without
a hitch at Gates Lodge July. There were participants and volunteers from all over the State of Michigan. We were blessed with some wonderful weather and many trout were caught as well.Once again, Coy & Tim from Reel Recovery travel from Colorado to facilitate the retreat. And ���Spoon��� was there with his digital camera capturing EVERY moment possible to document the retreat for the survivors who had traveled up to Grayling to enjoy some time on the famed Au Sable.

From entomology, heron watching and telling kayakers that they were three miles from the landing to making new friends, learning to cast a fly rod and sharing joy and pains of our journeys, it was a memorable time for all. Even the Bread Hole was amazing.

It was my third year of assisting at the retreat. And though the program remains the same, the retreat, because of the men who attend, is always different.

This year was very different for me due to the fact that my father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. At my request, my father had taken time off from his busy work scheduled and volunteered at the 2005 & 2006 men’s retreats as a River Buddy/Guide. This year he called me to ask if he could volunteer again on the river. His mission: to not only help others, but share his new diagnosis, compare notes from a different perspective and to give/receive support from a different level than he had ever anticipated.

Needless-to-say, the process of watching my father share with the participants and volunteers was heartwarming. I am thankful to all who reached out to support him, offered their good words, wisdom and prayers. And for their hugs as well.

Of all my treasured memories from my time at the retreat, I am thankful for the laughter shared with “Bob with One O” on the river dock on our final day. Though we hardly fished, we laughed and told stories that had our sides aching. Doing that together, surrounded by nature and sunshine, hearing the echoes of the laughter - nothing but joy. It felt grand to have the weight of the unknown lifted from shoulders and hearts.

And to my dear roommate, Nurse Navin…I commend you on your stellar perfection Loops, Double-Surgeon Knots and Nail Knots. Our leaders rocked!

In closing, I extend the Reel Recovery blessing to all…

BE WELL, FISH ON!

WHAT: ONE DAY FLY FISHING RETREAT

WHEN: July 21st Reunion Retreat - 8:00 am until 6:00 pm

WHERE: PERE MARQUETTE RIVER - Baldwin & Branch, MI

HOSTS: Reeling & Healing Midwest and The Pere Marquette River Lodge

DETAILS: Join Reeling & Healing Midwest, The Pere Marquette River Lodge and our good friends from Reel Recovery to celebrate a day of trout fishing on the beautiful waters of the Pere Marquette River. Individuals who have taken part in any fly fishing retreat programs for cancer survivors as a participant, volunteer or supporter are encouraged to attend. SPECIAL NOTE: This year, survivors are encouraged to bring their caregiver or personal supporter along to enjoy the day as well.

Our friends and certified river guides at The Pere Marquette River Lodge have arranged to provide river float trips and guiding expertise for the day. Those attending will have the opportunity to wade fish and/or enjoy a float down the river. A hearty continental breakfast, shore lunch, beverages and munchies will be served. Fishing equipment and waders will be available for use too.

COST: $40.00 for the day (includes breakfast, lunch, beverages, equipment, float trips and guides). Dinner is optional for an additional $15.00 and will be served at the lodge.

Click here to view a schedule of events for the day.

What to bring? You will need a fishing license. It may be purchased at the lodge. Click here for a suggested list of items to bring as well as more license info.

To register or for more information, phone 616-855-4017 or email info@ReelingandHealingMidwest.org.

Fish On!