Fly Tying for a Cause

It’s pretty cool when over thirty people come together to tie some flies, talk about fly fishing, drink some beer, and support a great cause.  That’s exactly what happened when the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited members gathered at Red Leg Brewing Company to tie up some flies in support of Casting for Recovery. 

Allyn Kratz, President of the CMCTU, scanned the room of fly tiers and said “This is something that people feel like they can contribute to.  You can feel the energy in here and a lot of enthusiasm.”

 

What’s the “something” he speaks of?

 

Casting for Recovery is a nation-wide organization that brings the healing power of fly fishing to women recovering from breast cancer.  Its story even begins in 1996 on a river in Manchester, Vermont when a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon was fishing with her guide. 

 

Beth Overton, who serves as southern Colorado’s affiliate representative for CfR, tells the story:  “She commented to her guide that the casting motion was the sort of exercise she asked women to do following breast cancer surgery.” And the idea was launched. 

 

According to Beth, Colorado’s program is the largest in the nation.  “Most chapters have one or two retreats per year.  In Colorado, because of the support, we can offer four retreats per year.” 

 

The women who attend the retreat receive fly boxes, and “those boxes are filled with your flies,” she tells the participants.

 

 

Craig and Jillyn Howe moved from New Mexico in April.  Both were involved in the Bosque chapter of Trout Unlimited there and wanted to get involved with the local chapter here.  When they saw the announcement for the CMCTU event in an Angler’s Covey email, they knew they wanted to participate.  Welcome to Colorado Springs!

 

 

Derek and Isabella (along with their camera-shy wife and mother, Leah) have just relocated here from Arizona courtesy of the U.S. Army.  “We’ve been lifetime members of Trout Unlimited and wanted to get involved here.”  Derek ties up some pheasant tails under the guidance of Isabella.  

 

Terry Deaton, Treasurer of CMCTU,  says this is a special event for CMCTU.  “We don’t usually think of fly tying as a service, so this is a unique opportunity for our members.  When it’s all said and done, we contribute 70-100 dozen flies to Casting for Recovery.” 

 

Thanks for the great turn-out!