Reel Recovery 2022

[BilletHead]

        After a two-year hiatus "due to the pandemic" it was once again on. Nine men with a history of cancer or currently still in treatment or in recovery were attending. Along with that were nine of us "river buddies" were there also there to take these good fellows to the stream for fun, fishing, just talking or anything they might like to do. Two of these river buddies were new including Pat and Paul. We had a retired oncology nurse (Bonnie) for our first responder. A necessity as a couple three of these gentlemen needed watched closely. A couple facilitators rounded out the tribe. Five of the attendees were flyfishing ready! The others were really new at this gig. 

   First evening it was meet and greet and a dinner. We all scattered out amongst each other and introduced ourselves. They we as interested in us as we were them. Some were on the quiet side but that all changed by the end of the retreat. Then we split up and we did our thing getting gear ready for the next morning as they did a group discussion. 

     Next morning breakfast and again it wasn't them and us it was one cohesive group,

     Then it was the signing of the flyfishing vest time. These vests have been used by many men around the country attending and doing the same thing as these nine men were getting ready to do,

   

         Ii seen signatures of men I had fished with in the past are not now with us while others still are. The speech given by the facilitator is very moving each time we hear it. We broke for the standard Kodak moment and here are this year's men. Two from out of state, Florida and Iowa. 

   Time next for a fishing session. Short from all the mornings activities. There is no cherry picking for partners. You just begin to talk and ask would you like to fish together. So, I paired up with Scott from Florida. Scott had never fly fished and his only fishing before had been for bass in Florida. We grabbed him a rod and walked towards a spot and all the others did the same. As we visited about everything in the world about each other we began to fish. A quick tutorial trying to explain to one never knowing anything about this fly-fishing process was interesting to both of us but fun. We worked hard trying to get him a fish. The indicator went down many times, but the reaction was a bit slow for a newbie. Then he explained that with bass you needed to let them run some with the lure before setting the hook. Three were actually hooked but came unbuttoned. Was all good though. I learned that morning that Scott is an avid birder. Has been to 22 states looking for birds including Missouri when he flew into St. Louis to take the time to go to a place that has what I think he called a chirping sparrow that had been introduced way back when but unlike the house sparrow this one never took off to other places but stayed and flourished in one place in ST. Louis.  Scott actually reminded me of our own OAF member @Johnsfolly and his micro fish list.  Yes, sir Scott has a bird spreadsheet . More on birding later! Here is Scott and he actually picked up the reason for mending and the dead drift,

          Lunch followed and a quick break. Another pair up. This time I got to fish with a longtime friend. Brian. We go back to 2007 when Pat attended her casting for recovery retreat. Brian was a River helper for the girls. Next year I got involved and we began to know each other even more. We helped in the river helpers capacity until casting for recovery stopped and reeling and healing for the girls started. Then when it went away we kind of lost touch until this retreat when Brian became a participant.  Brian got a cancer too. this can hit any of us at any age. Be aware of changes and or do the screening we or your significant other requires. Any of your loved ones or friends for that fact. It was great to reconnect and fish with him. Quite a guy and full of fishing knowledge.  Some of you may know Brian as he is a member of the Ozarks Flyfishers club in St. Louis area.

 

    As Brian and I fished we got to see participant Matt hook up on a fish,

  Then the hero picture with his Buddy Paul,

   Dinner and visiting again in the evening.

  Final morning another breakfast and one last fishing session Matt and I made a pair. Matt is a fly fisherman and good at it. He brought and used a 1wt. He lives in Lebanon and is a regular at Bennitt springs. Took awhile to revive the 1wt catches but we got it done.

 

         Last session Pat paired up with Scott. They fished and then they went birding. Scott and Pat identified 22 bird species. if that is what the participant wanted that is what you did for them. After a break on a bench Scott said he wanted to fish again so they tried and tried. Pat asked for a bit of help from another River buddy who did the cast and hook set and handed to rod to Scott and he got two landed that way. Didn't matter Scott got his fish. Would not touch it though but he got his trout! :).      The Morning session over it was back for a quick lunch and the closing event.

     Another great event and lives crossed once again. i am blessed to be able to help and now Pat is also. Thanks for reading you all,

  Marty

[Walleyedmike]

Great stuff there, Billethead!

WM

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I was really hoping for a report.  I truly am appreciative of this organization and any like it.  I have been blessed by many organizations growing up, and want to say thank you to all who volunteer time and experience for those who attend.  

[JestersHK]

Glad you and Pat were able to make a difference out there my friend.   Always good stuff. 

[rps]

5 hours ago, BilletHead said:

        After a two-year hiatus "due to the pandemic" it was once again on. Nine men with a history of cancer or currently still in treatment or in recovery were attending. Along with that were nine of us "river buddies" were there also there to take these good fellows to the stream for fun, fishing, just talking or anything they might like to do. Two of these river buddies were new including Pat and Paul. We had a retired oncology nurse (Bonnie) for our first responder. A necessity as a couple three of these gentlemen needed watched closely. A couple facilitators rounded out the tribe. Five of the attendees were flyfishing ready! The others were really new at this gig. 

   First evening it was meet and greet and a dinner. We all scattered out amongst each other and introduced ourselves. They we as interested in us as we were them. Some were on the quiet side but that all changed by the end of the retreat. Then we split up and we did our thing getting gear ready for the next morning as they did a group discussion. 

     Next morning breakfast and again it wasn't them and us it was one cohesive group,

     Then it was the signing of the flyfishing vest time. These vests have been used by many men around the country attending and doing the same thing as these nine men were getting ready to do,

   

         Ii seen signatures of men I had fished with in the past are not now with us while others still are. The speech given by the facilitator is very moving each time we hear it. We broke for the standard Kodak moment and here are this year's men. Two from out of state, Florida and Iowa. 

   Time next for a fishing session. Short from all the mornings activities. There is no cherry picking for partners. You just begin to talk and ask would you like to fish together. So, I paired up with Scott from Florida. Scott had never fly fished and his only fishing before had been for bass in Florida. We grabbed him a rod and walked towards a spot and all the others did the same. As we visited about everything in the world about each other we began to fish. A quick tutorial trying to explain to one never knowing anything about this fly-fishing process was interesting to both of us but fun. We worked hard trying to get him a fish. The indicator went down many times, but the reaction was a bit slow for a newbie. Then he explained that with bass you needed to let them run some with the lure before setting the hook. Three were actually hooked but came unbuttoned. Was all good though. I learned that morning that Scott is an avid birder. Has been to 22 states looking for birds including Missouri when he flew into St. Louis to take the time to go to a place that has what I think he called a chirping sparrow that had been introduced way back when but unlike the house sparrow this one never took off to other places but stayed and flourished in one place in ST. Louis.  Scott actually reminded me of our own OAF member @Johnsfolly and his micro fish list.  Yes, sir Scott has a bird spreadsheet . More on birding later! Here is Scott and he actually picked up the reason for mending and the dead drift,

          Lunch followed and a quick break. Another pair up. This time I got to fish with a longtime friend. Brian. We go back to 2007 when Pat attended her casting for recovery retreat. Brian was a River helper for the girls. Next year I got involved and we began to know each other even more. We helped in the river helpers capacity until casting for recovery stopped and reeling and healing for the girls started. Then when it went away we kind of lost touch until this retreat when Brian became a participant.  Brian got a cancer too. this can hit any of us at any age. Be aware of changes and or do the screening we or your significant other requires. Any of your loved ones or friends for that fact. It was great to reconnect and fish with him. Quite a guy and full of fishing knowledge.  Some of you may know Brian as he is a member of the Ozarks Flyfishers club in St. Louis area.

 

    As Brian and I fished we got to see participant Matt hook up on a fish,

  Then the hero picture with his Buddy Paul,

   Dinner and visiting again in the evening.

  Final morning another breakfast and one last fishing session Matt and I made a pair. Matt is a fly fisherman and good at it. He brought and used a 1wt. He lives in Lebanon and is a regular at Bennitt springs. Took awhile to revive the 1wt catches but we got it done.

 

         Last session Pat paired up with Scott. They fished and then they went birding. Scott and Pat identified 22 bird species. if that is what the participant wanted that is what you did for them. After a break on a bench Scott said he wanted to fish again so they tried and tried. Pat asked for a bit of help from another River buddy who did the cast and hook set and handed to rod to Scott and he got two landed that way. Didn't matter Scott got his fish. Would not touch it though but he got his trout! :).      The Morning session over it was back for a quick lunch and the closing event.

     Another great event and lives crossed once again. i am blessed to be able to help and now Pat is also. Thanks for reading you all,

  Marty

Makes me wish I was there to help. Trouble is, I can't fly fish.

 

[BilletHead]

4 hours ago, rps said:

Trouble is, I can't fly fish.

              I am betting you can Randy. You just don't know it. Actually, it is easy. Get someone in your area to help you. If we were closer, I would most certainly get you going. First thing you need to do is forget about the type of fish, size of fish and numbers caught. Then all will fall in place. After that the type of fish, size of fish and numbers will be in play.  

[Foghorn]

Excellent Marty and Pat. The smiles on everyone there makes it all worthwhile. 

[Johnsfolly]

Great Job Marty and Pat! I'm sure those guys are so appreciative of your efforts.

[Ham]

Thats Awesome Marty! That does a lot for those folks, and it does a lot of Good for you as well. 

[Terrierman]

Way to be real people Marty and Pat.  Deals like that are good for the soul for all concerned.