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Many of you may remember that a year or so ago I sought info on "Casting for Recovery," as my wife had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she was interested in the retreats to learn flyfishing. We received many wonderful responses and support, both on and off the board. Last year at the Bash she caught her first fish on a fly on one of the nearby small creeks. She ultimately attended that retreat at Clearwater Lodge in August, and she came away stoked for more fly fishing. By the way, Ann is fully recovered from all her heavy-duty treatment and is back to her old cheerful self again.
Well, dougp volunteered to make a fly rod for Ann as a gift. Yesterday it arrived. It is a thing of beauty--an 8 1/2' 4 pc 5 wgt on a blue blank (provided by Pappy) with pink wraps and Ann's name and "survivor", along with the pink ribbon. Ann is overwhelmed by doug's generosity and floored by the beauty of this rod.
We took the rod to the local fly shop today to match it with an appropriate reel. We settled on a Ross. But the guys in the shop were wowed by the beauty of the wraps--the best they had ever seen! If the Board gets around to having a rod bash again, doug is the one you want to have there for his experise.
But again, our gratitude to doug is profound and sincere. Thank you. And we thank all of you who sent messages of support over the past year.
Coincidentally, Ann joined the Golden West Women's group when we attended the expo at Pleasanton. Now, all we have to do is go fishing. But where? The Yuba is pretty difficult for a newbie, and the Moke and Calaveras close on the 31st. We'll find something.
Doug, if you're still on the Board and see this, we salute you. Otherwise, we'll communicate privately. But I thought public recognition was in order.
Tight Lines,
El Rey,
Harlan and Ann King
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