"Reel Recovery"

[crappiecrazy]

Anyone have any experience with this organization?

[Uncle Jesse]

I sent them a bunch of warm water flies earlier this year and they were nice enough to keep them and not send an insulting letter back. I am under the impression they are a great group of people help veteran return to a more normal life. They are recognized as a non-profit by IRS, if that helps.

[Grizzly Wulff]

I'm the president of a club that supports Reel Recovery both financially and with members who participate as "stream buddies" , facilitators and volunteers at retreats in Nevada, Utah, and Northern California. Since its inception, more than 1,000 men with various forms of cancer and in various stages of treatment have participated in the three day programs that provide lodging, meals, counseling, and fly fishing opportunities at no cost to the participants other than their transportation and fishing licenses expense. A typical retreat will start on a Wednesday afternoon with a meet and greet at the lodge or other facility that is hosting the event, and an evening session lead by a trained facilitator. Thursday morning after breakfast there will be another, short sesion and then it's off to the local water for casting instruction and then a day of fishing with a "stream buddy" who will instruct, coach, and just be available to listen. After dinner that night there will be another session. On the last morning after breakfast there will be one last session, then its off for a half a day of fishing and a closing ceremony.

There are trained medical personnel at each retreat to handle any emergency, and there is no pressure on the particpants; they set their own pace and goals for the retreat. While it is easiest to attend a retreat in your local area, we have had particpants travel clear across country to attend retreats out of their area. As a man, I know the value of these retreats and would strongly encourage any man who is now dealing with or has in the past dealt with cancer to seek a retreat out and participate. Check out the Reel Recovery website at http://www.reelrecovery.org/ to see the 2011 retreat schedule and to find out how you can participate.

[Rick Z]

I have sent flies for them to use for the past few years.
Good orginization in my opinion.

Rick

[Midwest Custom Fly Rods]

I have had experience with them before, they are a great organization that helps men with cancer. About three years ago I headed up a donation on the rod building website I run where we had 17 custom rod builders all pitch in and build/donate 17 custom rods to Reel Recovery. The head of the organization came on and thanked everyone personally on the website and even went as far as to send each persona a personal a thank you letter in the mail. A very good organization and very nice people to deal with.


Steve

[Bluegill222]

A great bunch of people doing something great for people who really need it.

[Orthoman]

I have applied several times to volunteer for a retreat but never heard back from them. To me, sounds like a good organization. Perhaps I didn't have what they needed. I also help with Casting for Recovery as a river helper.

[crappiecrazy]

Thanks everyone for the replies. This weekend in Somerset Ky, someone is having a "kayak festivial". They have dealers there so you can demo thier products on the Lake. Also music and barbaque. A kayak fishing tournment on Sunday. All the proceeds go to "ReelRecovery". My son is wanting to buy a kayak so we are going. It turns out that the "spot" on my head turned out to be Melanoma Cancer. See thread that Ohio tuber started about hats. Anyway, maybe I will meet some folks from "ReelRecovery" and get involved in thier organization.

[ldice]

A member of our local fly club was able to partake in one of these events, and when I asked how it was he replied it was something he thought he could do without until he went there. The member said that he really never talked about his cancer, and was fine with that, and he hesitated for a minute and then said that he was wrong for doing so. He said there were a lot of things that he never thought to say about it until the event, and now he feels like a new man for talking about it. I feel that a group can take a person set in thier ways and make a new person out of them deserves all the respect in the world a man can give. I have seen first hand how it changed this person, as a club we are greatful. Thanks to all the fine men and women who heilp those who are in need of this rebirth.
Thanks.
Larry

[Uncle Jesse]

It turns out that the "spot" on my head turned out to be Melanoma Cancer.

I had one of those spots that turned out to be a Melanoma about 10 years ago. Other than a scar that itches sometimes all is good so far. I hope yours comes out the same. As a result of my melanoma, which was removed by a dermatologist, I had to follow up with an oncologist, which was a trip everyone should make. Seeing the children and the young ladies taking treatments which had made them lose their hair was heartbreaking. It certainly made me thankful to have had the spot on my chest removed while it was still harmless.