Pete Huttlinger CD Release Party

Many of you met Pete Huttlinger at the NaboursAndFriends event on the Caney.

He donated his time and talents to be one of our entertainers at the kick off Friday evening. He also gave everyone in attendance that night a copy of his "Catch And Release" cd. It's still in my cd player.

Pete is an avid fly fisherman, monster guitarist (and in my mind, that's the biggest, bestest thing I can say about someone's ability/skill/artistry) and all around great guy.

I just got an email about this last night or I would have posted it earlier. Hope you can make it. No cover charge by the way!! I'm in Montana right now or I'd be there for
sure.

Check This Out!

This Thursday
April 30
3rd & Lindsley
Nashville, TN
Album Release Party


Pete Huttlinger Fingerpicking Wonder-The Music Of Stevie Wonder

7:00PM

P. O. Box 210588
Nashville, TN 37221-0588
Phone: 615 952-9250
www.morrispr.biz
Copyright 2009 Morris Public Relations

Dorothy, Toto, Trout and Totals

Big thanks to all that showed up and offered support otherwise. Full reports in the coming days.

All went well, despite the weather. Though our home was spared, we know folks that did have damage. Some lost homes entirely, some just had damage. We are very fortunate that more lives were not lost. I just read a newspaper article that said there are 253 homes damaged or destroyed. This town is a huge mess. Google up Murfreesboro, TN Tornado on April 10 2009 or in youtube and you'll see.

In the coming days we'll be posting pictures and a full report of the event.I don't have a final count yet and don't know how much money went straight to PHW through their website that did not come to the event, but my best guess is we brought in about $3,000.00 for Project Healing Waters. We had 32 registered attendees. Not a bad average per person.

I have some chores to do around the house here and hundreds of photos to sort though and post. If any of you have any photos you'd like to share, please send them.

THANK YOU ALL.

It Takes A Village To Raise A Fund.

It's about to get really busy around here. I wanted to take this time to say thanks all around to everyone that helped make this a reality.

The Biggest Thanks

The biggest of thanks to the people that get up and go to work every day in boots and camo. The people that put it all on the line. The people that give it everything they've got so we can keep everything we've got. Thanks to the men and women of our armed services. Thanks to the wounded warriors. We know we can never really repay you, but we hope you'll accept our undying gratitude for your dedication, service and sacrifice.

It's nearly time. Some folks are going to start showing up this Thursday. Most folks will arrive sometime Friday. Entertainers have confirmed, registrations are coming in, volunteers are coordinating everything from ice chests to public address systems door prizes and auction items are arriving. Seems like there is a new package on the doorstep everyday. We need to recognize these donors. Since The Purple Heart Rod was the last post, let's start there.

D.R. Stone Rod Company
If you look at the post below this one, you'll see the latest picture that Leo sent on the build. Says it casts a 4wt line like nobody's business. The blank was donated by Dennis Stone, of D.R.Stone Rod Company. I have a DRStone blank that Dennis made. I have not yet built the rod but I am looking forward to the project.

Dennis became interested in bamboo about 15 years ago and that interest sparked his bamboo rod building and restoration business. When Leo told Dennis about The Purple Heart Rod project, he donated the blank. Thank you Dennis.

Enter REC Components
Leo then contacted REC Components to order the rest of the stuff needed to complete the build. When REC President Alan Gnann found out about the project, they jumped on board with their donations as well. Alan and I have had a couple of email exchanges recently. Here's a quote from one of his notes.

"Ron, Many of us at REC, including me, are proud veterans and pleased to do what we can to support our military personnel. REC has on its staff 3 Vietnam era vets, my son served tours in Bosnia and the 1993 Iraq invasion and we also have a 25 year old medically retired marine, Paul, on staff who suffered a disabling head wound during a training exercise in preparation for an Iraq deployment."

I also asked for a brief description of their company, since I'm not exactly in the know about rod building. Here is what Paul sent.

"REC Components, Designer and Manufacture of the finest rod building components and cases. Especially renowned for high quality reel seats, hardwood spacers, cork rings, cork grips, rod bags, aluminum rod cases, winding checks, RECOIL, Mildrum, and Perfection. With the exception of blanks, REC Components offers everything required by OEM rod Manufactures and custom rod builders. REC also offers in house Screen Printing, Laser and Deep Diamond Engraving. The REC Components staff stands ready to provide our superior service to customers world wide."

Pickin' and Grinnin'
I first came to Nashville in 1994 with songwriting partner Joe Hodge. On that trip we met and became friends with Nashville publicist Vernell Hackett. I spammed my entire email list with this project, including Vernell. When she read the letter, she offered to help spread the word. Thank you, Vernell.

One of Vernell's contacts is Erin Morris of Santa Rita Artist Management. Erin wrote

"My client, Pete Huttlinger, has an album called Catch and Release. He's a serious fly fisherman and even wrote the theme song for ESPN's "Fly Fishing America".

Pete is booked on Monday the 13th on The Today Show in New York, but he has time and has volunteered to play for us Friday evening, the 10th. Check out Pete Huttlinger.

I also sent emails and left telephone messages for a group I'd heard of called 2ND Nature. I got a call back from artist/hit songwriter Don King. Don is a part of the group 2ND Nature , he was a recording artist on Epic Records, runs Don King Music and is Chief of Education and Information for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Perfect fit for this event and we thank him for his time.

Another great talent I met years ago, through Vernell, is Ryan Murphey. He and I hae written a together a time or two. He's a great guy. I just found out this mornig that he is going to be there too! This is going to be great.

I would not be surprised if other entertainers show up as well. Some volunteered but had to cancel, others have expressed desire to help out if their schedule allows. Looking forward to seeing who might show up.

Vittles
Friday night, before the show, we are going to have a little cook out. Then Saturday morning we'll have a great breakfast and that evening, before the auction and door prizes, we are going to eat a FANTASTIC meal prepared by Mike Hill. Mike fly fishes every chance he gets, does a little photography and he cooks. Cooks like a maniac. He's famous around here for his smoker techniques and all I had to do was ask him to cook for us. Mike works some at Cumberland Transit in the fly shop.

Door Prizes And Auction
If you look to the column on the far right of this post, you'll find a long list of Sponsors and Donors. They have all donated goods or services to be awarded or sold at this event.

Brandon Gunnels, Nashville area auctioneer and avid fly fisherman/wooden drift boat builder, is going to be our auctioneer for the evening. He is also bringing the PA system. Cool.

Cumberland Transit in Nashville has donated a reel and fly line to go on the Purple Heart Rod. Leo says: "The reel is an Orvis CFO with a nice, matching Buckskin colored line. Due to it's size, it could be used on just about any 4/5wt fly rod. Works well on The Purple Heart though."

Cumberland Transit was also the guiding force behind obtaining a Project Healing Waters Rod and Reel outfit from Temple Fork Outfitters. Rick Pope heads up the company and they have long been supporters of Project Healing Waters. Thanks Rick.

I just got some gift certificates from Rhonda at Tim's Flies and Lies in Lynchburg. They are also the NuCanoe dealer in Middle Tennessee that helped us obtain the NuCanoe door prize.

I'm on the pro-staff of Montana Fly Company and when I approached them about this deal they sent me some goodies as well. Flies, and tying tools.

Ian from Grasshopper Outdoor Products sent us some Mono-Masters and other fly fishing tool. I am a big fan of the Mono-Master. We have come to know it as the Leader Eater. Keeps waste mono off of our streams. Good stuff.

Jeff Kennedy, the man behind the art of Drawing Flies 365 has donated a copy of his soon to be published book. Cool stuff, check it out.

Kelly Palmer, guide for Kootenai River Outfitters, has donated a guided fly fishing trip in Montana as has Joel of Montana Troutaholic Outfitters.

David at Southeastern Fly has donated a trip in Tennessee.

Jarrod, who works with Mike over at TrophyFishingTn.com has donated a Tennesse float trip and a guitar autographed by Grammy Award Winning rockers, Kings Of Leon. That group is made up of Tennessee boys that are taking the world by storm. When Jarrod isn't on the river, he works for Kings Of Leon.

Ronnie Howard, aka "Grumpy", Caney Fork guide and fly shop man at Cumberland Transit, has donated a guide trip and been instrumental in helping gather up all sorts of other stuff we need from firewood to ice chests and other donations.

Blake and the good people at NuCanoe really helped to anchor the door prizes with a fully loaded, 12' Tandem Ultimated Adventurer model NuCanoe. They nearly gave us the boat and with the help of TrophyFishingTn.com, Montana Troutaholic Outfitters and Tim's Flies and Lies, this door prize came to fruition.

A big thanks also goes out to the members of every fishing forum I've spammed with all of this. They have graciously allowed me to publicize this event even though I haven't had much time to be an active member on their forums. Those include Little River Outfitters, The Itinerant Angler, RockyMtnFly, FlyAnglers.org, FishingTN, and blogger Tom Chandler at Trout Underground. It is greatly appreciated.

One more thing. If it hadn't been for the core group of supporters at TrophyFishingTn.com that shared this idea and got behind it, none of this would have ever happened. Thanks guys.

See you in a few days.

The Purple Heart Rod, or Leo's NAF Bamboo Build

EDIT: Leo sent me an email a couple of days ago saying the rod was almost finished. Here's the latest picture, posted 4/05/09
This is going to be a very sweet rod that Leo deMonbreun is building to be auctioned at the event. Leo has been building rods a long time and you can often find him behind the counter of the fly shop at Cumberland Transit in Nashville.

A huge thanks to Leo for the build and also to Dennis of D.R. Stone Rod Company for donating the blank, to Tim at T.L. Zietak rod company for their component donations and to Alan at REC Components, makers of RECOIL Guides and more for their contribution as well.

I just got this email from Leo so I'm going to get out of the way and let him do his thing!


Leo writes: "The blank has been dipped for a little over a week now and I started wrapping it today after installing the cigar grip and the PLRN reel seat from REC. In keeping with the original PHY Perfectionist that had a cork grip and seat.


Wrapping will be simple patterns of Chestnut brown tipped in Purple, one of Paul Young's favorites, and the signature wrap will be in the colors of the Purple Heart in honor of all of our wounded vets from all conflicts.


All of the hardware has been blackened, slip rings, end cap, ferrules and all guides with the exception of the stripper guide. PHY like to use Mildrum cradled guides and most of his were in nicikel silver and were not oxidized.

After finishing the wrappings, the colors of the Purple Heart will be preserved with several coats of clear lacquer then the rod will get it's final dip which will make the guide and ferrule wraps become translucent.

In test casting it with the guides taped on to ensure good static loading, it performed really well with both a Cortland Sylk and a Triangle Taper 4 WF line. Sweet Dry Fly action.

I am hopeful that the person that wins the rod can appreciate what it is meant to symbolize. For those that have never been there words can't describe it, and for those that have, not a word needs to be said.

More to come later

Leo"

Press Release Going Out Today

Special thanks to Vernell Hackett, Nashville, TN resident and long time music business publicist, for putting together this press release and sending it out for us. You can reach Vernell via email at pen4hire@bellsouth.net.

NABOURS AND FRIENDS ANNOUNCE BENEFIT FOR PROJECT HEALING WATERS

The fly fishing group Nabours And Friends will hold its first benefit, a concert and fly fishing experience, on April 10-11 at Long Branch Campground near Lancaster, Tennessee on the Caney Fork River.

The event will kick off with a hamburgers and bratwurst dinner followed by a songwriter’s in-the-round concert on Friday evening. The show will feature Pete Huttlinger, Jim McBride and special guests. Huttlinger, an avid fly fisherman, has an album called “Catch & Release.” He wrote the theme song for ESPN's "Fly Fishing America." McBride has had a string of hit country singles including Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochie” and Waylon Jennings’ “Rose in Paradise.”

On Saturday participants will gather for breakfast before heading out for a day of fly fishing with professional guides and instructors. There will also be a fly tying demonstration and a demonstration on making furled leaders. Later in the day there will be an auction following a dinner of smoked brisket and pork shoulder, beans and cole slaw.

Among the items up for auction will be guided Fly Fishing Trips from TrophyFishingTN.com, Montana Troutaholic Outfitters, Tim's Flies and Flies of Lynchburg, TN, a bamboo fly rod built by Hermitage, TN rod maker Leo deMonbreun with components donated by D. R. Stone Rod Company and T. L. Zietak Rod Company and REC Components; the “Drawing Flies 365” book from Jeff Kennedy Studios; and an autographed guitar from Grammy Award Winning group Kings Of Leon.

The entry fee of $35 includes eligibility for door prizes, among them a new, fully rigged 12' Tandem Ultimate Adventurer NuCanoe from NuCanoe, Rock Creek Boat Works of Deer Lodge, MT, Tim's Flies and Lies of Lynchburg TN, TrophyFishingTn and Montana Troutaholic Outfitters as well as guided Fly Fishing Trips from TrophyFishingTN.com, Montana Troutaholic Outfitters. Other door prizes will include flies and fly tying tools from Montana Fly Company; fly fishing tools from Grasshopper Outdoors, home of the Mono-Master; guided fly fishing trips from TrophyFishingTN, Montana Troutaholic Outfitters, Cumberland Transit, Southeastern Fly and Kootenai River Outfitters.

Nabours and Friends is a group of fly fishing buddies headed by Ron Snow, a Murfreesboro resident who is a fly fishing guide in Montana April through October. The group of fishing aficionados from Middle Tennessee got together and decided to do a benefit to help Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. This organization is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings.

“We plan to invite area veterans to join us for a unique fly fishing experience on the Caney River,” Snow says. “We’re all looking forward to having a fun event while helping further the cause of Project Healing Waters.”

Anyone who has an interest in fly fishing is invited to attend the weekend of festivities. Entry fee is $35.00 per person which includes meals and admission to other activities. Folks who register will also be eligible for door prizes. To pre-register email naboursandfriends@gmail.com with your name, phone number and number in your party.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. is dependent on tax-deductible financial donations and the help of numerous volunteers to meet the educational, training, equipment, transportation and outing needs of the participants. To make a tax deductible contribution to Project Healing Waters, make out checks and mail to: Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., Post Office Box 695, LaPlata, MD 20646. When making a donation please note NaboursAndFriends in the memo line. Donations can also be made by calling (301)399-7396 and speaking with Sandy at Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. Please mention Nabours And Friends to her when making a donation. Gifts can also be made through PayPal / Visa / Mastercard / Discover / American Express and put Nabours And Friends in the Purpose box. All donations go directly to Project Healing Waters.

For more information contact Ron Snow at (406) 422-2786 or email for more information to naboursandfriends@gmail.com. Check out their blog at http://naboursandfriends.blogspot.com/.

Schedule of Events
Friday April 10
6:30 p.m. -- Gathering at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground
7 p.m. -- Dinner at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground
8:00 p.m. -- Concert at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground

Saturday April 11
9:45 a.m. -- Gathering at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground
10:00 a.m. -- Breakfast at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground
11:00 a.m. -- Fly Fishing Outing on Caney River, Fly Tying Demonstration by Warren Patterson and a Furled Leader Makeing Demo by Jack Hise

4:00 p.m. -- Gather at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground
4:15 p.m. -- Dinner at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground
5:30 p.m. -- Auction Gets Underway at Picnic Shelter, Long Branch Campground

Long Branch Campground is located below Center Hill Dam near Lancaster, Tennessee on the scenic Caney Fork River approximately one hour east of Nashville via I-40. Camping is available on site and there are cabins and hotels in the area.

First Annual Nabours and Friends for PHWFF

We've had much discussion on the possible dates and locations. Here 's the deal!

WHEN: The first annual Nabours and Friends Fund Raiser To Benefit Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. will be held April 10th and 11th, 2009.

WHERE: Long Branch Campground, just below Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River in Middle Tennessee. Here is a link to the recreation.gov page for the campground. Long Branch Campground Link. At that link you will find a complete description of the campground, an interactive map as well as driving directions and you can even reserve a campsite while you are there. I have already reserved my campsite for that weekend.

We have also reserved the Pavilion for April 10th, 11th and 12th. I know, the 12th is Easter Sunday. We reserved it anyway in case some folks want to stay over and fish another day or have their Easter gathering there. If anyone is so inclined, we could even have an Easter Service there.

This is a nice facility. I checked it out over the weekend. Includes a really great Pavilion/Picnic Shelter complete with tables. All weather roads, camping sites, restrooms, showers, BBQ grills, play ground for the kids, pet friendly and of course, great fishing.

I should have snapped some photos of the place while I was there, dangit. If any of you have shots or are going to be near there anytime soon and would like to contribute some photos, that would be cool. You can email them to us here at NaboursAndFriends@gmail.com

In Other News: Donations of goods are starting to arrive. Just got some stuff here from GRASSHOPPER OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, Ltd. including some Monomaster Waste Line Holders, fishing hats, Zingers, and a furled leader or two. Nice stuff. Thank you Ian and everyone at Grasshopper Outdoor Products, Ltd.

I also got word that a box full of stuff from Montana Fly Company has arrived. I haven't seen the box yet, but I'll let you know. Duncan and Adam are good guys. thanks to them as well.

OK, that's it for now. Put April 10 and 11 on your calendar, throw the 12th in if you'd like and we'll see you there!

Fly Fishing Fundraisers Drawn In

Nabours And Friends Thank The Man.
Check out the logo at the top of this page.
Nice huh? Yeah, I like it. I like it a lot. This post is a shout out and kudos to The Creator, and to the guy that took an idea and turned it into art, Blake Morgan. Here's the back story.

I'll Show You Some Fly Fishing Art.
I'd say I draw not quite half as well as my 6 year old grandson, Hayden. That would make me not quite as good as my 3 year old granddaughter, Taylor. I would however, say that I am better than my one year old grandson, Brycen. Not much, but I am better than him. I tell you this as a preface to my display of some original artwork of mine. Here was my concept for a logo.

That Will Bring A Tear To A Glass Eye. Once you quit laughing and crying and rolling around on the floor, you can finish reading this post. I know you are rolling on the floor laughing because that's what Hayden did when he first saw the results of my mad art skillz.

Obviously, this wasn't going to fly for a logo. Still, I was trying to get something on paper, or in this case, a computer screen, so I could make an attempt at explaining my thoughts to any artist that might happen along and would be willing to listen. Enter David Perry.

I Know This Guy, That Knows This Guy, That Knows This Fly Fishing Artist Guy. I met David Perry face to face for the first time just the other night at our planning meeting. Prior to that, we knew each other only from a fly fishing forum/internet bulletin board over at TrophyFishingTn. David owns and operates Southeastern Fly Guided Drift Boat Fishing based out of Murfreesboro, TN. He and I had engaged a few emails back and forth prior to the meeting.

In one of those emails he asked if I had a logo yet. Told him I did not and he said he knew of someone that might be able to help. Said the guy he knew did the logo for Calvary Outfitters Fly Fishing Ministry and he might be able to help. His name is Blake Morgan.

By day, Blake works for LifeWay Conference Centers & Camps. By night, and on weekends and any other time he's not otherwise preoccupied, he is active with the Calvary Baptist Church, as much fly fishing as he can get in and a little artwork here and there. David mailed my protoflop to Blake. Blake shook his head from side to side, said a prayer for me, and then he came up with the logo we have now!!

Fly Fishing Fundraiser Sign Of The Times
This is the official thanks post to David for bringing Blake and his talents to the table. To Blake for taking the time to get involved and make a difference, and to The Creator for for bringing it all together. It takes a village to raise a fund, or something like that. We can use all of the help we can get.


NaboursAndFriends thanks you, and I'm sure the folks over at Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc. appreciate your efforts as well.

Ron