This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend an incredible weekend of fly fishing and counselor led conversations about life with cancer with 9 other men. The event is organized and hosted by a non-profit called Reel Recovery (reelrecovery.org) who is focused on providing free fly fishing retreats for men with all forms of cancer.
Besides providing all the necessary gear with instruction from experienced fly fishermen, they also provided housing at a beautiful facility (in Spruce Pine, NC at Springmaid Mountain for my retreat) with over 30 retreats this year alone. The retreats are all in different locations around the US, but they also have a few retreats in Australia and New Zealand.
While the fishing was a welcomed break, the counselor led conversations with the other participants were both heart breaking and uplifting. Being in a safe environment opened up our hearts and minds to discuss all aspects of living with cancer and how hard it can be on relationships, finances, children, career, you name it.
I'm posting this because it was such an impactful weekend that I wanted others to be aware of it. These words aren't doing the weekend justice, but I highly recommend checking this group out and registering for an event next year (this year is winding down).
Now I'm hooked on fly fishing and can't wait to have my own gear (I can be on the Chattahoochee River in about 10 minutes)!
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I just did the retreat in California a week ago. I wrote to this forum about it but it did not appear in the daily digest and I think the only people who saw it were those who follow me. I fully agree with your assessment, every aspect of the event was done exceedingly well and the whole concept is amazing. I too am trying to decide what gear to buy. Do I start with cheap Chinese, use it 'till it breaks or go for the good stuff right away? In about a week I should be getting a list of participants and buddies coordinators etc with email addresses so I will have plenty to ask the same questions of. It is good to see another who was as impressed as I was. Everyone on this list should sign up. I had to drive about 9 hours and drag by camping trailer along so my husband (not a cancer patient) could help with the driving. I hate driving but this was worth it.
Spencoid2 - yes, I missed your post! Glad we attended so closely together and had the same thoughts about the retreat. I agree with you and hope everyone takes a look at the program.
If getting down to and standing in a river seems too daunting for some to attempt, at least at my retreat, pond fishing was available. In fact, at last years retreat there was a participant fishing from his wheelchair at the pond.
They are very accommodating and want to encourage and include all men as much as possible.
I attended a Reel Recovery retreat in 2015, about a year after I started this journey and thought it was life changing. It opened me up to talking about Cancer, rather than feeling a sense of shame for having a body that was failing me. I think it is a great organization and most men who are newly diagnosed would probably benefit from attending.
Heartily agree with your recommendation. I attended their retreat on the Yakima River in Washington years ago. The conversations were well led and inspiring. Fish On, Longevity.
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