Reeling And Healing

[BilletHead]

We just got done with the second Reeling and Healing retreat. There was one in April and then again this past weekend. Mrs. BilletHead and I have done Casting for Recovery in the past but it has been dropped from Missouri. Mostly due to the cost to run it and also because it was just for breast cancer. Reeling and healing for any type of cancer affecting the woman. The current program has until this year been only held in Michigan. I also help as a river buddy in Reel Recovery for men. Lost all my photos for that so sorry it will not be covered at this time. I will prepare something this Spring for you all. I urge anyone that is asked to help in something like this to do so. it is for the men and women that have or are battling cancer but I will tell you first hand it will do as much for you as it does them. I know my Friend Nighthawk (Russ) does Project Healing Waters and if he ever needed me I would do that too. We all were asked by Phil to help with Scouts and if I had not been busy I would of done my best to help out in that. So we will start with the Spring. Here we have the group,

We had eight. Some for health reasons at the time of the retreat had to drop out. These ladies got to learn about fly fishing gear, a quick casting lesson, and some entomology. This was all jammed into a quick short Evening and then a morning session. Then fishing in the afternoon. Then fishing the next morning and then graduation. We will have to thank Mrs. BilletHead for most of these photos. So this Spring I was paired up with Sue. You can see we made a great pair because of out perfect heads!

She was a wonderful lady and we have since met her husband and even fished with them for a day this Summer.

Now to the Fall retreat,

We had eleven with one not being able to attend. I got to fish with two of the women. Dana and Tracy. First Dana. This gal was a ball of fire. We worked hard for her fish and did catch some. Both days it was tough. Tight lipped fish and very spooky. We did these two retreats at Westover near Steelville. Yes hatchery raised stocked fish but low clear water made it tough. Dana missed many strikes but getting that hook set was a struggle for her. I remember one fish in particular. She had a perfect roll cast, the perfect drift and hook set. Once that fish hit the net she began to cry which in turn got me to crying. I said quit that crap and we began to laugh out loud.

Day two we had to change ladies. I was told by Dana at breakfast that morning that SHE would pick who I fished with that morning and that Mrs. BilletHead would be her river helper. So I got Tracy. I had thought that day one I got the wild child and day two the mild child, not so as Tracy would be ball of fire number two. Tracy was from inner St. Louis and had never fished in any shape or form or even been away from her five sisters. Every time a fish was netted she began to dance and we had to do a booty bump. Other than the little tear up I had a grin on all weekend.

This was Mrs. BilletHead and her first "guide job" for a participant,

And finally the Mrs. and our two gals,

Our reward for helping is one of the greatest feelings we have ever known,

BilletHead

[Flysmallie]

Awesome job Billetheads!

[GloryDaze]

Absolutely wonderful!!!

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Woo hoo! You guys are great. (Meant in all sincerity). You just don't realize how much of an impact on the lives of others that you have when you do things like this. The participants will never ever forget what you did for them, no matter how small it may seem to you. I have been helped many times in my life, and thank you for doing this and encouraging others to help. :-)

[Beaverdamstore]

Marty, I am proud to know both of you. Great smiles.

Jim

[BilletHead]

Thanks for checking this out,

Very rewarding and good for the soul. Hey there Jim! Need to get down for a visit sometime,

BilletHead

[Feathers and Fins]

Smiles mean more than money and you two are richer than many people. Keep up the good work.

[gramps50]

Awesome job Billetheads!

X2

[Ill Trout Bum]

Thank you for providing a quality experience for these brave women. God Bless!

[Bird Watcher]

Proud to know you Buddy. Good going.