Reel recovery 2024 another great retreat.

[BilletHead]

 First of all again Pat and I want to say thanks again for those of you that bought raffle tickets to help this happen. Also to the readers of these posts and those that pass it on. This was Monday through Wednesday of last week. Same place Westover farms. We had ten participants. Aged from 21 to 80. Some in remission, some in treatment and I think a couple terminal. Great bunch of guys from all over the state. There was signing of the vests.

   The ten participants,

  Pat and I fished with three of the guys each. This is the whole crew with all of us river buddies.

Time to fish a guy named Earnest found Pat and I, said I want to go with Pat this morning and you Marty this afternoon. Alrighty then that was easy. Normally we have to find and ask one of the guys. Pretty standoffish first but not Earnest. This guy was a hoot! So for the morning I found Mike to go to the stream with. Only a couple of the ten had fly fished and at that minimal experience. So Mike and I took off. We had scouted and not many fish in the spring creek but back on dry creek I found a bunch. All the casting needed at this place was a roll cast or pick up,swing and drop. After a quick tutorial with a half dozen flys in overhead tree limbs we were kinda off and running. Mike missed many and contacted a few landing three. Great fellow and fun to be around. 

So story of Earnest and Pat for the morning. They landed one and lost three on the line. Earnest is a meat eater and even doing the catch and release deal he holds the reel and or line with a death grip so two of those fish snapped off with light tipped. He finally got that figured out. 

     After lunch the ten participants had a meeting and courageous conversations. This set of conversations. Let these guys talk amongst each other knowing that there are others in the same situations as they are. I hear it starts off pretty quiet with the first one and by the last one some really good sharing goes on. From what the participants share with their river buddies it is a good deal for all . So back on the stream we went. Pat with big George. Big guy as name states. They fished for awhile and George says let's walk and talk which they did. Pat didn't share but said it was a productive visit. We know it's about what those guys want. This program is for them. We a a listener first and foremost. Sorry no pics of George. May get some later. 

  Now to my afternoon with Earnest. Again a hoot to be around. The guy will smile and grin and laugh but not in pictures. He clams up. I think because four bottom teeth are missing. What a guy. Between Pat and I and another couple people we could share some funny things that happened. Like I said he is a hoot.we landed three and many flys and indicators into the same limbs from the morning. So many missed fish. Slow on reacting to the hit. Funny, funny guy and great to be around. Actually probably an hour or less from BilletHeadVille. Hope our paths cross again. 

  Last morning breakfast and fishing until 10:45. I asked the youngest of the bunch Jack if he wanted to fish. Yes he did. Here is another one who especially touched my heart and reminded me how lucky most of us are. Jack is 21 and has his whole life ahead of him but cancer is doing it's best to deny it. Bone marrow transplant and the meds have taken a toll on his body. After recovery he will need a shoulder and hip replacement. This young man is smart, very smart. Quiet. I visited with one of my River buddy friends who took him the day before. He gave me the scoop about how Jack got around. Good balance but slow. I asked Jack if he was up for a walk and a bit of brush busting. Yes he said and we were off to dry creek like where I took the other two guys. I told him what we would be trying and said I talked to his first outing and what he had learned. He had the basic roll cast about masterd as well as the drift. He could see and understand the run and the lay and fish feeding lane. He could make it about half way to the spot but got better and better. He listened and soaked things up like a sponge. Executed things with a precision eye. I was amazed. He caught a couple. I asked him if he could see the fish reaction to the fly under the float. He could. I then took off the indicator. Told him what to watch for. The turn of the head, flaring gills and the take. Said to anticipate the bite and react by setting the hook with a low side sweep. The kid was crazy quick, quicker than all the participants in all the years past I have went with. He hooked quite a few and landed a couple more. He kept a tight line and when the fish jumped he had perfect contact during the battle. No real father figure in his life. Raised by his mother which we met. Jack has my number on a contact list. I told him anytime he has questions about flyfishing or want to visit to feel free. 

  Pat took out Mike that morning who I took out first morning. They fished and had a couple fish on. No landing for them or most of the others that morning. It was tough and the fish had been beat to death. 

  The last day and early afternoon was about the come to an end. The participants had a visit and a talk in the circle of strength.

The buddies stayed back and soon called over. We encircled them and put our hands on their shoulders. With a one two three we are cried be well fish on! Hands in the air. Ate a bite and said our goodbyes. 

  Earnest wanted one more picture. Pat and I with Bonnie a retired oncologist nurse helping out. Then good Old Earnest who later dressed in his best left saying he was going catting around before heading to a new fishing spot. 😆. Thanks for letting Pat and I share this with you all.

  We say to you "Be well fish on!"

[Quillback]

Good deal, thanks for the write-up!

[grizwilson]

Us survivors certainly appreciate all of the time, resources, support and friendship you all supply. Thank all of you.

[Foghorn]

Awesome Marty and Pat!

[ness]

What a great event! You and Pat are amazing, and that was a helluva write up!

Have you got contact info for Ernest and Jack? I’ve got too much stuff around here and would love to share/thin the herd. 

[BilletHead]

Just now, ness said:

What a great event! You and Pat are amazing, and that was a helluva write up!

Have you got contact info for Ernest and Jack? I’ve got too much stuff around here and would love to share/thin the herd. 

             I have numbers but addresses not yet until the share sheet gets mailed out. Thanks John

[Johnsfolly]

What a worthy cause. So proud of you and Pat for sharing your time to this great cause!

[BilletHead]

34 minutes ago, Johnsfolly said:

What a worthy cause. So proud of you and Pat for sharing your time to this great cause!

Thanks John!