Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

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

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

I really enjoyed the fly fishing retreat. Thanks for EVERYTHING that was done to make it such a beautiful, healing experience. I will carry the memories with me forever.

-Mary M.

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.

I want to thank everyone for a wonderful time and a beautiful experience that I will always and forever cherish. Everyone touched my heart in a way that words alone cannot express except one thing comes to mind, that through our bond I feel as though we have moved mountains. I feel so empowered that I want to shout to all I see, “WE ARE WOMEN, HEAR US ROAR!”�� Caveman chant follows, “ARRGH ARRGH ARRGH!”�� It was fabulous.

-Kari B.

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!

Knitters…….are you up for a challenge?!

Are your family and friends begging you not to send them any more home made items? Are you working on projects that take forever to complete? Are you looking for a way to support other women? Do I have a plan for you.

Get out your needles and start knitting socks. Remember how fast and easy it is to knit a pair of socks? A home made pair of socks say, you are cared about, you deserve some nurturing, you matter. If you are reading this blog, you are already aware of the amazing job Reeling & Healing Midwest does for cancer survivors. I am a cancer survivor and was an honored guest at a weekend event. The fliers suggest that you bring warm socks to use in the waders. I did not see many warm socks. Now it is up to us, the knitters of the world, to make sure these men and women have warm socks. Socks not just for fly-fishing, but for wearing during a long chemo session. Socks for wearing when you find yourself pounds thinner, with no hair (anywhere) for insulation. If everyone who knits just sends one pair of socks, imagine how many women and men we can make feel all snuggly and warm. Pass this message on. Email this address for mailing information: kltooman@chartermi.net.

I will keep you posted as the socks come mailing in. Together we can end the suffering of the naked toes of cancer survivors.

Socks on! Kathy

“We whole-heartily support Reeling & Healing Midwest,” stated Mark, a Headwaters Trout Unlimited member for six years.

In 2006, the Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which covers the counties of Otsego, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena and Montmorency raised funds to support Reeling & Healing Midwest retreats and a Reel Recovery retreat in Michigan. A few of their members volunteered, recruited participants and in-kind donations (one even baked pies!).

Complimentary Trout Unlimited memberships were offered to a number of our retreat participants by Headwaters with the hope to assist in continuing their fly fishing education, as well as river restoration and conservation education. Not one retreat participant turned down the offer.

“This year, we dedicated the 50/50 drawing at our Annual Banquet to Reeling & Healing Midwest,” shared John Walters, President of the organization, “with a promise to match the amount with a donation to Reel Recovery as well.” Thanks to the assistance of Sue Walters and Sharon Greanya, the 50/50 drawing was an amazing success. This year’s drawing awarded $765.00 to our upcoming summer retreat programs.

Thank you to all who participated, to the Headwaters TU, to everyone who purchased a 50/50 Raffle ticket and to all of you who believe in our efforts and organization.

Special thanks to John & Sue Walters for championing our cause, their dedicated support, never-ending positive attitudes, and expert volunteerism.

(Click here to learn more about Headwaters TU)

This past weekend Reeling & Healing Midwest attended the Oak Brook Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s (http://www.obtu.org/) Annual Banquet. It was held at the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL. There where auction items galore (C&D won a couple items), food, drink and good company. By all accounts, the event was a great success for OBTU, and we congratulate them.

We were guests of Wally & Patrica Bock and the OBTU Board. We had a great time. Thank you so much for your generous invitation and including us at your fund raiser.

At this time, we’d like to extend a special thank you to Wally for his help and support throughout the year with Reeling & Healing Midwest. His impact and contribution have been beneficial to everyone. And a special thanks to his wife, Pat, for letting him go the 6 weekends a year to help at our retreats (we will get her up at a retreat this year).

OBTU, a big thank you for all the good work you do for the streams, rivers, conservation and the fish.

On behalf of OBTU, we would like to thank all the great people and companies who donated the auction and raffle items. Even Ron Barch, a guide and bamboo rod maker from Michigan, attended and donated a few items including a guide trip, to show his support for OBTU.

It’s events like these that help organizations, like Reeling & Healing Midwest, who rely so heavily on their community of supporters to succeed. In addition, it helps introduce us to new people and expand our network. And even if just a few people offer their support or spread the word about us, it helps our programs and most importantly, the individuals who participate.

We appreciate it all.

Fish On!

Special congratulations are in order for the supports who stopped by our booth and entered our various contests at the recent fishing shows.

Winners include:

Donna P. - Tiffany Key Chain at the Great Waters Fishing Expo in Chicago, IL.

David L. - Michigan Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing School at Ranch Rudolph in June.

Margaret S. - Tiffany Key Chain at the Michigan Fly Fishing Expo in Warren, MI.

Brian H., Donald D. and Bob F. - All fly tyers who donated flies to our cause and won some fun prizes.