Reeling and healing Fall 2015

[BilletHead]

  Once again Mrs. BilletHead and I were blessed to be asked again to help with Reeling and Healing held at Westover Farms. I am serious about being blessed to help. There were eleven participants at the retreat.  Here are the participants. Eight from Missouri, two from Kansas and one drove down from Minnesota.

We had a meet and greet Friday followed by dinner and a quick program of the fly rod, reel and what we were going to do the next day. Up early the next morning for breakfast, we than split up into two groups. One group in waders for on stream leaning of trout food and the others got to get a fly rod in hand for casting instructions. Then a break, the ladies switched up reversing their roles. Boot P. Did the entomology talk and The Mrs. and I assisted. We caught leeches, crawfish, planera worms, mayfly nymphs, sculpins, helgramites, stone-fly nymphs, cranefly larva, aquatic beetles, scuds, sowbugs and many more critters for the ladies to mess with.

Another break and then Brian E. gave a casting demo, then Ginger K. gave a flyfishing gear rundown,

Lunch and then the ladies suited up to fish the afternoon. We had ten river helpers. Pat and I, Kent Campell and his significant other Ginger K., Brian E.,Boot P., Ryan W. Mike O.Patrick H. Sharon Y. The girls fished two sessions switching river helpers. I got the pleasure of fishing with Jenise, she was a 78 years young and from near Jefferson City. Never had a fly rod in her hands until this day. We had a great time and landed several fish!

The Mrs took out Brenda Jefferson city also. When the girls caught fish they loudly screamed "Fish On" . That first scream came from Brenda and Pat with myself and Janise hollering second.

 After the switch up Pat fished with Teresa and I with Bev. Teresa was from Jefferson City and Bev from Kansas. Depending where we were and if we had a camera handy for photos. None of me and Bev but Pat caught one of Teresa she put on a fish and I dipped it for them. These gals could grip a fish that is for sure!

Everyone was worn out after this day. The girls rested, helpers did too and then we ate again. Later that night the ladies had a fireside chat. Next morning we were at it again. Breakfast and two more sessions of fishing. Pat went with Sandy from St Louis,

I was close enough the girls screamed for me to use my long net and I got to dip it for them. I fished with Emma. A firecracker for sure. We caught too but no photos on here for me to show. There are pictures but from several different cameras floating around. Emma was hard to keep corralled. Every fish she caught she kept getting closer to the water. A steep drop off and I finally had to keep a hold of her wader back to keep her from going in. Every time she missed a fish she said "oh crap" Substitute crap for something else if you know what i mean:) The last session Sunday morning part of the girls wanted to tour the hatchery onsite. Four elected to fish. Tree got matched up and I looked into the fly shop to see who I might go with. Shelia from Minnesota was in there and said Marty do I get to fish with you? I said I have not been told that but I say we will and lets go and we did. We grabbed her rod and she said I really wanted to fish with you. That made me feel really good. Off we went and Pat took pictures of everyone fishing that session. One thing to say. This is for the ladies. If they want to talk we talk, we talk, if they want to just fish and forget what thy all are and have gone through that is what we do. Shelia wanted to talk some and I was there to listen. Being a caregiver before for my Mrs. I can relate some. Shelia has stage four melanoma, yes stage four. She is taking a new med and doing pretty well. She said I have made it a year now. She , her husband and son did a float on the Green River in Utah this past Summer. They rafted by themselves and camped along the way. She caught her first fly rod fish on that trip. You could see the gleam in her eye as she told me about the trip. When it was time for photos she was a ham! I had a grin all along that time we fished together. We both had many laughs that morning,

  This lady left quite an impression on me. So when we were done We visited some before a bite of lunch and graduation. Some of the river helpers. Myself, Mike O.,Brian E. and Boot P.

 Graduation is fun with some tears shed,

Myself with the four girls I fished with and Ginger K. to the right of the photo,

The Mrs. and her gals,

      The River helpers were from many places. Some of you might recognize or know them. Mike O., Brian E. Patrick H. from the Ozark Fly fishers out of St Louis, Kent Campbell and Ginger K. from the Capital city fly fishers, Boot P. representing the Roubidoux club. Sharon Y. Southwest Missouri fly fishers. Pat and  have no affiliate except for you all on here the Ozarks anglers. So We represent you!

Can I tell you again how blessed Pat and I are?

BilletHead

 

 

 

 

[JestersHK]

That's awesome work you and your team are doing there Billet!  Hats off to you and the Mrs.  

You guys are a true inspiration, and you put the faith back in humanity for me.

[Phil Lilley]

What was Brian's last name?  Haven't seen him in years.  He went with us to Alaska a couple of times.  Great caster.

[BilletHead]

Brian Ellis, not to open a can of worms but he is a certified casting instructor. I have never seen anyone cast like him and do it so effortlessly. I can cast and enjoy it so much but I get to a point of fighting it sometimes. You know where some people can't chew gum and walk at the same time? I think Brian could chew gum, carry on a conservation, walk and give a casting demo at the same time plus eat his lunch.

[Phil Lilley]

He's a treat!  He's been an instructor for a long time.  Thanks.

[Bill Butts]

As usual, Marty, great report with text and photos for a great cause!!!

 

[BilletHead]

  Thanks everyone!

[LarrySTL]

BilletHead thank you for doing that. I can see on the women's faces how much they enjoy it and how much it can mean to them.

[Mitch f]

Looks like a great time! Thanks for your efforts! That placed gets blitzed with otters, I think they have a green light to take care of the situation.