Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

What it means to me to be a Reeling and Healing Volunteer?  It means giving freely with no expectation of return, it is FUN, it is ALWAYS a learning experience, it gives me freedom to be and do more, and because I can never get enough. I loved being a participant, love continuing my fly fishing education and adore volunteering and giving back.  By BG – First retreat in 2001.

I heard a conversation the other day on Oprah (yes I TiVo her).  A therapist asked the patient if she ever cried.  The patient state that she didn’t really cry/sob – she’d try to tough it out and be stoic for her family, friends, others, and that she didn’t want to be a burden.  She added that she always wanted others to believe she was OK.

Her answers sound like so many of us in the world.

With that the therapist said, “Do you know that most people only cry when they feel safe and comforted?”  That comment hit home for me – especially when it comes to volunteering and participating at the fly fishing wellness retreats.  One of the goals shared with the volunteers is that each of our participants must feel safe.  Another is that they depart the retreat with a “higher than a kite” feeling – that they are treated as royalty – queens, and that they’ve enjoyed themselves so much they don’t want to go home.   We never fail to achieve these goals.  At the end of each retreat, there are hugs, smiles, laughter and tears.  Tears of new found hope, renewal, acknowledgment of achievement, of trust in themselves and the world, of enlightenment and comfort.

In looking at it now, I believe those tears come to fruition from the community of loving care, support and safety we create – not just from the fly fishing.  And you know what?  It is really cool to be part of it, to watch it manifest, to feel the energy.

Come share your gifts with Reeling & Healing Midwest.  Consider volunteering.  Or share our programs with a woman battling or surviving cancer and tell them to attend.  No matter what, you have an awesome experience.

Fish On!

I recently checked the website to check dates for this year’s retreats.  I cannot wait to volunteer again!  The photos brought back many wonderful memories of the previous retreats, the people I have had the pleasure of working with and the delightful participants.

Personally, I feel on of the most important duties of the volunteer is to be there to listen to the participant’s story if they decide to share it and help them at the retreat by making certain they are safe, secure and comfortable.  The retreat is a respite from their cancer journey and a time to be pampered and learn something new.

I want to commend Reeling & Healing Midwest for the wonderful volunteer staffers they bring to the retreats.  They are individuals who team together who’s interest in making sure the participant has a wonderful weekend and goes home worth memories of laughter, hugs, new friends, standing in the river and putting what they have learned to good use, and fellowship with participants and volunteers.  It is a life changing experience for everyone at each retreat.

I can’t wait to come back this summer!

Reeling & Healing Midwest announces some 2011 Retreat Dates.

• NEW PARTICIPANT RETREATS
  

Friday, May 6 – Sunday, May 8 in Lovells, MI

Sunday, July 17 – Tuesday, July 19 in Grayling, MI

Sunday, July 24 – Tuesday, July 26 in Grayling, MI

Sunday, August 7 – Tuesday, August 9 in Grayling, MI

Sunday, August 14 – Tuesday, August 16 in Grayling, MI

• REUNION RETREATS

Annual One Day Retreat, Muskegon River, Newaygo, MI – Saturday, June 18

Annual One Day Retreat, Pere Marquette River, Baldwin, MI – Saturday, July 10

Annual Fall Classic Weekend, Pere Marquette River, Baldwin, MI – Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16

For more information or to sign-up, visit our website at www.FishOn.org or please email us at info@ReelingandHealing.org.

Come fly fish with us!  Fish On!

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!

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.

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!

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.

Thank you for continuing to inspire me to work hard for my education. I have decided to work toward an oncology position as a career. These women need the best of care and I intend to give it to them!

-Sue W.