Reel Recovery, LLC

"Fly Fishing Retreats for Men Living with Cancer."

“Be Well! Fish On!"

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“How fortunate I was to find this outstanding nonprofit dedicated to helping MEN who are living with cancer. There is usually no difficulty in finding groups that support various illnesses, but groups designed specifically for MEN . . . are almost non-existent! I am pleased to say that, Reel Recovery, LLC supports MEN who are living with any type and stage of a cancer diagnosis, anywhere in their bodies. This nonprofit gives MEN with cancer a respite by offering them a chance to become, or continue being, Fly Fishers, in safe environments where they can learn, grow, and have a place to share their concern and success with MEN who are experiencing similar health experiences. Please share this important information with people you know who can benefit greatly from contacting this well-run, exceedingly helpful nonprofit.

  ~ Judith C. Lista, SPEM Health  , LLC, President/Editor  

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An Interview w/Mr. Matt Brindle, State Coordinator/PA

with Nonprofit - Reel Recovery, LLC 

Interviewed by,

Judith C. Lista, SPEM Health   , LLC, President/Editor  

 

 

JUDY: I am with Matt Brindle, State Coordinator/PA of a very important 501(c) 3 nonprofit called, Reel Recovery, LLC. I truly want the readers to fully understand how beneficial this nonprofit is for men who are living with cancer. I have not heard about an organization like this in the past and I think it's a terrific idea! So, tell me, Matt, how was this group founded?

 

MATT: I’ll be glad to, Judy! Thank you for inviting me to talk about our nonprofit. Back in 2003, several guys had a mutual friend named, Stewart Brown, who was living with brain cancer. They saw the therapeutic benefits that fly-fishing provided him and shortly thereafter they started this nonprofit, Reel Recovery, LLC. There was a program for women that preceded, Reel Recovery. It’s called, Casting for Recovery. Our National director, Stan Golub, had worked for Casting for Recovery.

 

JUDY: Did Stan Golub meet Stewart Brown and they were friends early on?

 

MATT: Stan was friends with the other individuals that formed Reel Recovery. Prior to Reel Recovery, Stan worked for Casting for Recovery. I didn’t know anyone until a gentleman from Pittsburgh started a retreat in Boiling Springs. There aren’t many people that work for Reel Recovery – Stan is the Executive Director, Shiloh Price is our Program Director. That’s it, two paid employees. Everyone else is voluntary, serving these gentlemen out of the goodness of our hearts.

 

JUDY: Shiloh Price and Stan Golub are the two paid employees and everyone else is a volunteer including you! I read more detail in your pamphlets about Stewart Brown being a big part of bringing Reel Recovery to the United States.

 

MATT: Yes, 17 years ago someone in Pittsburgh had heard of the group, his name was Ed DiGangi and he said we should try to do this in Pennsylvania. And, they decided to go to Allenberry. And, 16 years ago that’s where they had the first Reel Recovery retreat. And, it just happened that I had joined a group called Trout Unlimited. It’s a national organization to promote and protect cold-water fisheries. We protect the trout and the places that they live. Reel Recovery reached out to Trout Unlimited to see if we would help out by sending a few guys to be buddies with our participants. At that time my school year had just ended. I’m an educator teaching 7th grade science. So, I had time, and my wife was in agreement for me to become a volunteer! And, I’ve been doing it ever since!

 

JUDY: That’s great, Matt! So, it really hit home well for you.

 

MATT: Yes, initially I wanted to do it. My cousin had cancer in his lungs, pancreas, and brain. He fought it and he’s been in remission for 19 years! 

 

JUDY: Oh, how wonderful! A complete remission!

 

MATT: Yes, complete remission for 17 years. I’ve been trying to get him to come out to our retreat for a while, but he is a very busy man. At any rate, I volunteered for the first five years and the group from Pittsburgh asked us because we are local, to come and help out. And, I think it was in, 2010, when we did not have a retreat, as I think Ed stepped away. To the best of my knowledge, he got a new job and he had to move down south.

 

JUDY: How many states is Reel Recovery in today?

MATT: Off the top of my head, probably about 25 retreats in 15 states. And, 5 years ago,  Reel Recovery went international to New Zealand! 

 

JUDY: And, I believe I read that, this year, in 2023, there will be 25 retreats going on!  

 

MATT: Yes, and last year, we had reached over 4,000 male participants!

 

JUDY: That is fantastic! All these men being helped! Let’s talk a little bit about Stewart Brown who had brain cancer. I read that he was always thinking of others. People speak about him online and in the Reel Recovery literature as being a very kind, gentile individual and an avid fly fisher. He spent many hours during the three years after his cancer diagnosis enjoying fly fishing in Colorado. He dedicated his final months to the creation of Reel Recovery, so other men facing similar cancer experiences could feel the healing serenity that fly fishing had offered him.

MATT: Yes, he was a good man. Did you read about the 3-year Grant? It speaks about Lance Armstrong setting up a grant for Reel Recovery. Stewart became involved with Lance Armstrong who is a world champion cyclist and testicular cancer survivor. The Lance Armstrong foundation provided Reel Recovery with the three-year grant that was back in, 2003.

 

JUDY: Today is a long time from 2003!  So, I’m sure that grant is all used up, right?

 

MATT: Yes, it funded the first three years of Reel Recovery’s existence.

 

JUDY: Can there be more than one Reel Recovery location in a state?

 

MATT: I want to say that Texas has three different locations, but other states have one location. It’s basically a State Coordinator who champions the cause and gets the funding for the retreat. Ed, to the best of my knowledge was able to get a few people that helped to get funding in Pittsburgh. But, after he stepped away because he moved out of the state for another job, a guy by the name of Brian Canose who had been a participant, and a cancer survivor, from a recovery retreat, stepped up to become the state coordinator.

 

JUDY: What is the maximum number of men who can join each retreat?

 

MATT: Pre-Covid – up to 14 per retreat.  Since COVID, we’ve been single occupancy in each room, so a max of 10 per retreat for now. 

 

JUDY: It seems like there is a lot of work to get things together for 10 or more people.

 

MATT: Yep, everything’s all ready and out on the handout table ready for the guys. I want them to have a retreat without any stress!

 

JUDY: It’s good you handle it that way because the men who are participating have a lot they are going through in life. They are being very strong about getting through their battles with cancer! For the people who become involved with, Reel Recovery, in the future, it is good to know that it is a safe and supportive environment with other people who are experiencing similar issues in their lives. And, there is a psychosocial facilitator who attends each retreat, correct?

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MATT: Yes, they are each trained by Reel Recovery staff.

 

JUDY: So, the participants are led by this professional?

 

MATT: He is there to facilitate the “courageous conversations.”

 

JUDY: I like that, “courageous conversations.” Tell me about it.

 

MATT: The men meet in a room and the facilitator poses a question to the group. The question goes around for each man to respond. The first night the questions are just to get the men used to speaking in front of others. Such as “What was your first car?” And, to just bond, laugh together, get comfortable with each other.

 

JUDY: So, this helps these gentlemen get to know each other quickly?

 

MATT: Yes, it helps to break down barriers and any apprehension they might feel.

 

JUDY: What are your honest feelings about cancer coming into people’s lives? Do you believe in God?

 

MATT: Yes, I do. It has bothered me as I tried to figure out why. But, we just don't know why. I haven’t gotten an answer on that yet.

 

JUDY: And, we may never get answers on different experiences that we have on earth. I, too, would like to know why there are diseases that humans have to deal with, but it is a mystery. The people working to find cures for cancer and other diseases will put two–and-two together and explain how these medical issues manifest themselves in the human body. Do you find that the men at Reel Recovery Retreats ask that “why” question, often?  

 

MATT: No, they are asking more about how to live with situations. But, every group is different. Several years ago, we had a group where there were a few individuals in the 12 people that didn’t want to talk at all. This past year, 2022, all of the gentlemen were very outgoing. It was fantastic. It was a model group! It was wonderful with many conversations and bonding, tears were shed; the men really got to know each other. One of the reasons I keep going back is because I get so much out of it.

 

JUDY: And, when the guys are fly fishing do they talk about cancer then, too? Or, is that left behind?

 

MATT: It all depends on the gentlemen. Some of them will talk. Some of them will ask questions of the fishing buddy that's a volunteer who goes out on the water with the participant. They don't have a fly rod. They might have a vest on and their own favorite fly. They are there to help the participant with casting.

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JUDY: So, these men are the expert fly fishers?

MATT: Some are expert, others are not. But, they all know how to help the participants with casting. Plus, they are sensitive to what the men in the group are going through in life. It’s a very supportive experience.

 

JUDY: As far as the men in the group, the participants, some of them may not have any experience with fly fishing, correct?

MATT: Most of them do NOT have fly fisher experience.

 

JUDY: Interesting! That’s really great that men who are living with any form and any stage of cancer can look up a retreat near their home and get involved whether they know how to fly fish, or not. And, what do they say about their experience at a Reel Recovery Retreat during and afterwards? What have you heard?

MATT: They are very open to it and seem to really enjoy a different supportive experience in their life. Learning something new for some guys can be tough. They don't want to be seen as “not handling” fly fishing easily in front of a whole bunch of the guys. But, when you are in front of a bunch of guys in same boat as you, all those as walls come down. Occasionally we get someone who does have experience and casts really well.

 

JUDY: I bet a lot of them have a fun time trying something new with other guys!

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MATT: Yes. And, usually what happens, that second morning, they wake up and go have breakfast, and then they go to their courageous conversations which is usually the second conversation with all of the men together, plus the facilitator.

 

JUDY: How about the buddy fly fishers?

MATT: No, those guys are never involved in the courageous conversations.

JUDY: Are you involved?

MATT: I could have been. I used to go to as many courageous conversations as I could, but logistically getting the gear ready to pack everything up and setting things up, I had to be away. Such as the second morning, the guys were at their courageous conversations, and I was at the stream setting things up. Getting release forms from all the buddies, getting all the vests out, the waders, the boots, etc. Luckily, we have a lot of volunteers that help out.

 

JUDY: How many volunteers do you usually have with you at one retreat?

 

MATT: This year we had close to 18 or 20. One volunteer for each participant to go fishing, and, some of these volunteers are past participants who just come back to help out. There’s a man at the table where people were handing in release forms. A couple other volunteers were helping the guys put on their waders and things like that.

 

JUDY: Since you are a full-time teacher of life sciences, you must be familiar with how people learn at different ages. With Reel Recovery, what is the average age of the men who participate?

 

MATT: The average age would be around 55 to 65. But, any age is welcome! And, everybody can learn something they can take back with them that helps them.

 

JUDY: And, the participants each need to have a medical release form filled out by themselves and their physician before they can attend the retreat, correct?

MATT: Yes, we will have guys anywhere from Stage 1 to End Stage Cancer with us and need their release forms.

 

JUDY: And, you have what type of medical personnel at each retreat?

 

MATT: We usually have a volunteer nurse, or an EMT at each retreat.

 

JUDY: The retreat is two and a half days long. Does the time seem to “fly” by? Excuse the pun!  (laughter)

 

MATT: (laughter) Yes, it does! The guys show up around two-ish on Monday at, Allenberry Resort.
 

JUDY: That is a great location for many reasons! It's a beautiful environment that oozes a calmness everywhere you go. Which building do you all stay overnight in Allenberry?

 

MATT: Usually in Meadow Lodge. The new owners fixed it up in 2019.

 

JUDY: Did they change where the entertainment performs at Meadow Lounge?

MATT: That’s all gone! That entire building was chopped in half. All the old ballrooms that were leaking are gone. They put a new deck on the back. And they redid the way traffic cycles through the resort – the old exit is now the entrance. The Stone Lodge is beautiful.  The 14 rooms upstairs are absolutely gorgeous! Four years ago, they had to put us in those rooms for Reel Recovery because the Meadow Lodge was taken up by a group for a show. The new owners of Allenberry redid it entirely. The bar is made of trees onsite! And, the restaurant is now attached.

JUDY: Is it a cozy feeling?

MATT: It just feels great! And, the food, by Chef Joseph, wow! He outdid himself for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

 

JUDY: And, all this is paid for by donations to Reel Recovery?

 

MATT: Correct. Participants do not pay for anything. The cost of the rooms, the food, everything is paid for by donations.

 

JUDY: And, the donations that come in to Reel Recovery are via what methods?

 

MATT: People can send a check to our headquarters in Massachusetts, or use a credit card.

 

JUDY: So, donations do not have to come directly to you? You don’t have an address on your business card, do you?

 

MATT: Correct. There is only the Massachusetts address on it.

 

JUDY: And, you work part time at the TCO Fly Shop?

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MATT: Yes, I work part time there. TCO Fly Shop, TCO Outdoors. That stands for Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters. 

 

JUDY: So, you are a Fly Fisher!

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MATT: Yes, I’ve always loved Fly Fishing.

JUDY: When did you start Fly Fishing? How old were you?

 

MATT: Maybe 9 or 10. My grandfather had always been a Flyer Fisher.

 

JUDY: So, you learned from him?

MATT: Not so much. He was very reserved. He never took me Fly Fishing. But, since I always wanted to learn I asked a guy named, Russ Mowry, who lived about 5 miles from me. I would ride my bike to his house, and he would teach me how to tie flies. And, he had a little fly shop in his basement, so he would hook me up with flies and things like books and stuff like that. It’s funny because Russ taught me how to tie flies. And, later, I moved to York for my first teaching job, and I meet a guy online in one of these online fly-fishing chat rooms that said, “Hey, come on over and I’ll teach you how to tie a few things. And, I go, and it’s Russ Mowry’s brother-in-law, Fred Bridge! 

 

JUDY: No kidding!

 

MATT: Yep. He had married Russ’s sister. So, he became another mentor for me.

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JUDY: God works in mysterious ways! That connection you had with his brother-in-law, wow! Did you find out what he was doing? Are you in contact with Russ now?

MATT: Sadly, Russ passed away 13+ years ago. And, Fred passed away 5+ years ago. Fred’s wife talked with me, and we shared words about the way things were years ago with Russ. And, I always remember that joining Trout Unlimited out here, also, led to my volunteering with Reel Recovery.

 

JUDY: Tell me more about how Trout Unlimited led you to volunteer with Reel Recovery.

 

MATT: Well, Trout Unlimited tries to do a lot of volunteer work with different organizations. They had always done a youth camp where your kids come to spend a week and they learn from expert fly fishers how to fly, how to cast. They learn about the entomology, things like that. So, I helped Troup Unlimited that way, plus helping with Reel Recovery by providing buddies to help out at the retreat.

 

JUDY: These retreats sound wonderful for men living with cancer, at any stage, in any part of their body.  I'm sure many men talk about God’s plans for their lives.  I bet you've heard a lot of wonderful stories from men who have been in recovery for a long time. Plus, some difficult stories about their trials and tribulations. Please explain how people who are personally interested, or know someone they can talk to about how they can get involved to join a retreat. How should they go about this?

 

MATT: The Website is: www.reelrecovery.org Go there and you will find a lot of info for all the states that participate in roughly 25 retreats.

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JUDY: So, for Pennsylvania, how should someone go about contacting you? And contacting state coordinators in other states?

 

MATT: Well, they can do it through the website: www.reelrecovery.org Just get on the website and find the email: info@reelrecovery.org  Use that email, or my email: matthew@reelrecovery.org or click on register for a retreat. Shiloh Price will turn around and direct the person toward the right state. Or, they can look at the schedule on the website. They can, also, call: 800-699-4490.

 

JUDY: I’m going to read some quotes that I saw online. These are from men who have participated.

 

“This retreat was so much more than fishing this was a life changing experience!”

 

“The retreat was most rewarding and uplifting experience of my life.”

 

“Reel Recovery is a gift! Being here has given me the strength and courage to move forward with my life.”

 

“Fishing can heal the mind. Talking and sharing can ease the pain.”

 

“Being with you guys has helped me look at my future differently. I now do everything I can to live life to the fullest.”

 

“Thank you for helping me to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I will never forget these few days.”  

 

“I discovered that while fly fishing I was in another place. In this place there was no cancer, no pain, and no fear.”

 

“I'm honored to be a part of this to talk with other men in courageous conversations.”

 

MATT: To the best of my knowledge aside from a local support group there's not much else out there for just guys. And again, from my experience, guys are very reluctant to just walk into a room and just start talking to people they do not know. Reel Recovery is different. The courageous conversations start out slow, guys might start out denying, then guys start sharing similar experiences. And, that helps a lot! Plus, guys like to bond over doing “something.” Fly fishing is that “something” that anybody can do!

 

JUDY: So, you don’t have to be a great athlete to get into fly fishing?

 

MATT: You don't even have to be able to stand to do fly fishing! We had a gentleman, who could not stand, so we took a chair out in the creek, plopped it down, and two strong gentlemen helped him out by placing him in his chair and he spent several hours having a great time fly fishing!

 

JUDY: That must have felt very rewarding for him!

 

MATT: Yep!

 

JUDY: So, you really do cater to the needs these men have. I am very impressed that you give your time freely to do this. That’s so of good of you!

 

MATT: I get a lot out of it. It feels very good!

 

JUDY: That’s wonderful what you and the other volunteers are doing. I’m sure that if Stewart Brown was still around today, he would be joyful and very happy about growth of this nonprofit.

 

MATT: Yes, the retreats they had the first three years were not many.

 

JUDY: God bless him, but you have to start off small and grow. And, now, you are up to 25 retreats this year! That is remarkable and this is all across the United States, plus, in New Zealand. And, your time with Reel Recovery is how many years?

 

MATT: This year marks our 17th retreat in Pennsylvania.  I was there the first time they were in PA. Myself, and the casting instructor, Aaron Beinhaur, from Pittsburgh, he’s the only one who still comes out. Aaron was first brought on board by Ed DiGangi.  

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JUDY: Well, I wish you much success and continued growth! If you could break it down to your biggest needs to keep the organization going, what would you specifically say?

 

MATT: Unfortunately, it goes back to money.

 

JUDY: How can donations and grant monies be sent in for Reel Recovery?

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MATT: Go online to: www.reelrecovery.org That is the best method for donations and grants to be awarded to Reel Recover, LLC.

 

JUDY: Can it be monies donated specifically for PA?  Or does it all go to National Headquarters?

 

MATT:  Donations all go to National Headquarters. Though, there is a place online to earmark donations for Pennsylvania. 

 

JUDY: So, how much does it cost for each participant to attend one retreat, one time?

 

MATT: It is roughly, $700 per gentleman to be part of one retreat, one time. Though with the current inflation, the cost will probably go up a bit.

 

JUDY: So, that money must keep coming in! And, right now originally there was the grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation for three years from, 2003 to 2006. So, from 2006 to now, how has the money been coming in?

 

MATT: Yes, mostly through businesses and groups donating. Giant Foods, Karns, and Wal Mart have each donated snack items. VFW’s make donations, too. And, we have some very helpful personal donations by individuals, too. 

 

JUDY: If you don’t ask people and businesses for donations of money and goods. . . who does?

MATT: I do have a few other individuals around the state that help out. But, I would like to find another person, or two, to help out.

 

JUDY: So, besides donations, another need for Reel Recovery is to find a volunteer who has a knack for asking others for donations, right?

 

MATT: Yes, definitely! It is not something that I have experience in doing. And, if one or more people would be interested in becoming a volunteer who can set up and collects donations, it would be very helpful!

 

JUDY: I’m sure they would be a big help!

 

MATT: It is great that I work at the fly shop because I get to meet a lot of guys who are in the business. One thing that guys on our retreats go through is a lot of our “flies” for fly fishing. The company I work for part-time, TCO, donated 14 dozen flies this year!

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JUDY: Very cool!     

 

MATT: Yes, their 14 dozen flies helps out a lot at our PA retreats.

 

JUDY: You told me earlier that something special happens during the retreats.

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MATT: Yes, but I don’t want to talk about it now, because it is a really nice surprise for all the participants during their time together. I will share that our participants seem to bond very well with their fishing buddies. Their relationships brings tears to your eyes as you see guys talking with each other, supporting each other, each making great memories together.

 

JUDY: So, donations are needed, and, grant money is a process that needs to get started again, too. Plus, a volunteer, or two, who can help out for a few hours a month reaching out to gain this type of funding would be great!  Hint – Hint – Hint - to everyone reading this interview! And, you easily accept men and women volunteers, right?

 

MATT: Absolutely! And, anybody can find out online what other positions are needed. We always welcome more volunteers to be fly fishing buddies. They get into the water to help their buddy cast and fish. And, other volunteers say they will help with paperwork and unpack the trunks, fly rods, etc.

 

JUDY: And, do they have to pay their own way when they go to the retreats?

 

MATT: Most are local, so they don't stay overnight.

 

JUDY: So, volunteers, donations, and of course, participants to sign up for the retreats. Is there anything else you need?

 

MATT: We always need to get the word out to more people! A friend of mine and I drop off brochures at cancer centers, treatment centers. If you know any gentlemen dealing with any type of cancer, please encourage them to go to our website. They can check it out and sign right up. They are in for a great time!

 

JUDY: What are your thoughts about the future years of growth for Reel Recovery as a National Non-Profit?

MATT: Our Pennsylvania retreat has been the second week of June for the past 15 years. We have booked this year's retreat for June 12, 13, and 14  at, Allenberry. Provided funding doesn’t become an issue, we hope to keep doing a yearly retreat.

 

JUDY: It sounds like a very well put together organization that is helping a lot of people!

 

MATT: Thank you, Judy! We work hard to treat these men like kings for a few days, so that they may forget all that they have been through.

 

JUDY: Congratulations! I wish you all the best. God Bless YOU! 

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