My second visit to Montana this year ends as I head south to Salt Lake City for a couple days. Excited to see my friend, Marianne McKinney and fellow librarian Peter Bromberg. If you haven’t yet come across the amazing organization Casting for Recovery please take the time to do it. They are so important to women and breast cancer and the giving you do for them is returned 100-fold.
This weekend was their annual fundraiser in Hamilton, MT and like last year, it was beyond special. I listened the story of a 23-year old woman who’s life was upturned by a diagnosis of breast cancer and how it wasn’t until she joined up with CFR that her life was really turned around. I met folks from the World Fishing Network and TFO Fly rod makers who are devoted followers and contributors to the cause, and I met volunteers galore who regularly devote their time.
On top of it all, I spent a day on the Bitterroot on an absolutely perfect weather day – deep blue skies, warm breezes and abundant sunshine. It was a one-fly contest but I took off my beautiful creation after an hour. Peggy kept hers on all day! The fishing was slow, but it didn’t matter – we still caught some rainbows and one beautiful, hefty brown. Our guide, Travis Craft from the Missoulian Angler worked hard to help us find fish, and we enjoyed his company and appreciated his volunteering to float us down the river.
Sigh. The memories of this weekend will last a lifetime.
