Fly Fishing Therapy

[Spiritwolf]

I have been reading the posts on this board for awhile.I have gotten lots of useful info from it and want to thank you guys for it.I started fly fishing some time ago when I took a trip up to Glacier N.P. with a buddy.I had been going up there for years but never with a fly rod.My buddy had a fly rod so I decided to buy one and give it a try.I could not cast to save my life and beat the heck out of the water but still caught fish.I fell in love with the sport.Back on the 1st of March I had to have surgery and have not been able to work since mid Feb.I am having complications from the sugery and can only stand on my feet for a few hours before the pain puts me down for the rest of the day.I was about to go crazy not being able to do anything.Also the doctor started calling the pain chronic and have been told can't get disability for cronic pain.Having to deal with the pain and the worry of how to pay the bills sometimes can get to be almost to much.One day I decided to hell with the pain I was going fishing.I only was able to last a little over an hour before the pain became to much.I ended up having to set in my car for an hour before I could drive home after taking a pain pill.For that short time that morning on the river I did not worry about anything other than the cast and the thrill of catching a fish on a fly that I tied.After getting home even though I could not do anything else the rest of the day I felt better emotionally than I had in months.Since that day I try to go a few days a week if I am feeling well enough.I have figured out that if I take a pain pill just before I start fishing I can last 3 or 4 hours before the pain becomes to much.For thoughs hours I get the much needed break form the worries that not being able to work has brought on.I am 49 so still a ways to go before I can get Social Security unless they rule this something other than chronic.Fly fishing has become a real life saver for me.It gives me something to look forward to each week.A time to give my mind a break.Don't know if I could have found any better therapy.

[Zack Hoyt]

Touching story and yes, fishing can be very therapeutic. This is the reason Project Healing Waters, Reel Recovery, and Casting for Recovery are so popular and do so well. I would offer up possibly tying flies as well. Doesnt require standing, and you are still able to keep your mind off all the other troubles.