Reel recovery 2025 report.

[BilletHead]

     Another Reel recovery is in the books.  A super group of participants. Good men dealing with cancer in various stages. This is time for them. Good fishing, fellowship with others dealing with the same situation.  Men generally keep things to themselves and won't talk to others unlike the women Pat and I have assisted with. These guys come to this retreat quite but leave quite different. They are moved realizing that they are not alone in this battle. I have a few pictures and Pat has some also she will add. I didn't take as many as usual because we had a photographer that walked around and took pictures. So the first fishing day Kyle and I matched up and fished. He has fished some before and caught several. We discussed methods and worked on his casting.  Very pleasant young man of 26 years. 

  While Kyle and I fished we watched River buddy Matt Madura and partipent Eli fighting a fish. 

  That afternoon I fished with participant David. Again another guy that has fly fished before. He brought his own fly rods and reels and flys he tied. He wanted to fish dries mostly. I carried his second rod. I felt like a caddy when I traded rods and netted fish. We talked about many things. We will keep in touch. He wants information on the Wyoming cutt slam Pat and I did. He and his wife want to make a trip and fit it in so he will get my notes on all of that. 

  Some more pictures of the men,

Signing of the traveling vests. Many many previous participants have signed these and over the years new ones are bought as the old ones get full of names and are retired,

  A shot of the ending ceremony and the participants circle of strength,

[Mrs. BilletHead]

Another fantastic Reel Recovery retreat!!  Other than the weather....it played havoc on us a couple of times.   I fished with Rich in the morning.  We were the first to catch a fish!  He hooked quite a few and landed three.  We gave our spot to another river buddy and participant that had not yet caught any.  Rich wanted to learn how to cast so we did that until the rain made us quit!😞.       

                       My next participant was Dave.  A wonderful man....we really hit it off!!  We fished...he caught two.  He has back issues so wanted to sit and rest and visit.  We talked for awhile until he wanted to go to his room and rest.       

   Another participant Max (a jazz singer/musician) wanted to 'feel the tug' so I took him to fish.  He felt the tug' on a small fish but was very happy.  We also did a lot of talking.  He has led a very interesting life and was very happy to be there. 

[jdmidwest]

Been 7 years since I made that Trip.  Looks like a lively crowd.  Be well, fish on.

[Quillback]

Way to go Marty and Pat!

Did you do a raffle this year?

[Foghorn]

Looks like an awesome time for everyone involved! It's been several years since we visited there. Saw a guy standing near one of the cabins and recognized him-Jim Messina. 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

What a blessing.   Thank you both, and everyone else who contributes to events ( I can't think of a word) such as this.   The soul needs reinforced sometimes,  and things like this really make a difference.    Living Angels.  

[dpitt]

What a very cool thing you and Pat are doing.

[BilletHead]

4 hours ago, Quillback said:

Way to go Marty and Pat!

Did you do a raffle this year?

     Nothing mentioned at it at our meetings this time Jeff. Thanks for asking. 

[Lvn2Fish]

That’s fantastic ! Much respect 

[DADAKOTA]

Great people doing great things.