Despite all the magical properties we might attribute to it, fly-fishing can’t cure cancer. But, given the proper circumstances, it can offer a measure of hope, along with a respite from a daily regimen of foreboding.
This rather lofty goal is the driving force behind Reel Recovery, a program for men battling life-threatening cancer. The idea flowed from three Denver-area fishing friends, one of whom contracted terminal brain cancer.
“We thought this would be a great way to initiate something for men,” Jim Cloud said of a program that began in 2003 with a pilot of eight participants at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch west of Loveland.
Stewart Brown lived 18 months after diagnosis, long enough to see his insights into the psychology of healing through fellowship put into practice. The third organizer, Coy Theobalt, continues to work with Cloud and a growing army of supporters to expand a program that helps change lives.
Last week, a dozen men immersed in this personal reclamation gathered, again at Sylvan Dale, for what now has become a practiced ritual of fraternity and, of course, the opportunity to catch a trout or 12.
Over 2 1/2 days, they shared insights into the ordeal of society’s most dreaded disease while learning angling skills that might brighten whatever path lies ahead.
“We laugh a lot and fish a lot,” said Cloud, “but a huge piece of this is what we call courageous conversation. We get into a space where we share issues most men wouldn’t talk about.
“Men tend to be much more stoic about these things, but they still experience the same emotions and concerns.”
Each participant is paired with an experienced fly-fishing volunteer – a fishing buddy, if you will. The bonds formed at these venues often last a lifetime.
John Betts, one of the nation’s most prominent fly-fishers, understands the impact better than most.
“This program really does something. Maybe for one afternoon cancer doesn’t run their lives,” said John Betts, himself a cancer survivor who has served as a buddy at four such retreats.
How Reel Recovery evolved into one of the nation’s leading support programs is a story both of dedication and serendipity that ultimately involved one of the world’s leading sports figures.
In his final days, Brown wrote a letter about the program to cyclist Lance Armstrong, perhaps the nation’s most celebrated cancer survivor. Struck by the notion, Armstrong met Brown at a Denver hotel; for the past three years, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has been the leading contributor to Reel Recovery.
The John Wayne Cancer Foundation has joined local oncologists and various organizations in financial contributions to what now ranks as a widely embraced cancer support activity for men.
Still, the pulse of the organization remains the volunteers who share their time and fly-fishing knowledge. Jeff Long of Centennial battled his own demons while winning a protracted bout with invasive head and neck cancer more than five years ago. The avid angler learned of Reel Recovery through a presentation at his Trout Unlimited chapter and immediately pitched in.
“From my own experience, it’s important to have something to look forward to,” Long said. “I knew that to go on another fishing trip I had to get better, to do my exercises.”
Don Dinkel of Littleton, who hadn’t fished for 30 years and never held a fly rod, found a slightly different motivation.
“I have grandkids I want to share this with,” he said.
It remained for Centennial resident Ed Miller, who recently rebounded from a round of chemotherapy, to best describe the link between angling and recovery.
“Fly-fishing and hope go hand in hand,” he said. “This is an optimist’s endeavor. You have to believe there’s a trout just around the next bend.”
Charlie Meyers can be reached at 303-820-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com.
Fishing for a cure
A number of organizations have chosen fly-fishing as a vehicle for funding and support for recovering cancer patients.
Reel Recovery: This Colorado-based organization offers spring and summer retreats for men. For information, e-mail info@reelrecovery.org or call 800-699-4490.
Casting for Recovery: Among the 34 national retreats for women who have had breast cancer are three 2006 Colorado events. The first, May 19-21 at North Fork Guest Ranch near Bailey, is filled. Spots are available for a Sept. 2-4 session at the same site, along with a Sept. 22-24 event at Powderhorn Guest Ranch near Gunnison. Go to www.castingforrecovery.org.
Hooked on a Cure: The fourth annual celebrity fundraiser will be Aug. 20-22 at Vail to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Participants pay a $2,450 entry fee to fish with celebrity guests. For information, e-mail april@hookedonacure.com or call 256-577-4377.
