Lynchburg Fly Fishing Club Working With Veterans

CHECK THIS OUT--I just read a post from Jack Hise, one of the members of the Lynchburg, TN Fly Fishing Club, on the forum of www.trophyfishingtn.com

You can find the exact thread here.

Wishing them all the best and they have our support, hope they gain yours too. Here is the quote from Jack's post:

On September 15th the Lynchburg Fly Fishing Club will begin a 4 week program in conjunction with the Murfreesboro VA Hospital.

8 fly tying kits have been received from PHW as well as 8 TFO 9' 5 wt. 4 pc. rods all rigged with reels, backing and line. Also the club has raised close to $100.00 for tying supplies.

Our contact at the VA is trying for a starting group of 10 out patient veterans.

We have a member that teaches fly tying and a member that is a certified
casting instructor.

We are going into this somewhat blind and have no idea of what do or expect! It is agreed that this is to be a pilot program leading to a long term program.

Wish us luck! We may be back asking for more help!

Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines,

Ron

Check Out FISHYKID.ORG

A couple of my blogger peers and artists have a new project they are working on. They certainly fall under the Friends category of Nabours And Friends.

I think it's a cool deal and want you to see it for yourself. Here's the link to FISHYKID.ORG

Cameron, that blogs at The Fiberglass Manifesto, is one of the founders and he let me know about it.

I want you to know about it. Get involved, get yer kids involved. Have fun.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields John McCrae, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Ryan Murphey Upcoming Shows In Nashville

Master musician, soulful songwriter and my friend, Ryan Murphey, was also one of our performers during the very happy happy hours of that opening Friday evening of the Nabours And Friends event for Project Healing Waters on the Caney Fork River.

That's Rye left with Pete Huttlinger that night.

Got this email a couple of days ago but I've been so busy that I'm just now getting around to posting it. Sorry Rye. (PS-I had to steal some pics from your ryepsace.)

Ryan Murphey announces two upcoming shows.

The first, on Thursday, May 7, is at the Copper Kettle, 94 Peabody Street near downtown Nashville. The Songwriter's Show begins at 7:30 p.m. The restaurant bills itself as having "great southern cooking" -- mix that with entertainment from some great singer/songwriter and it's a cool night out!


Check out Rye's Space Including some tunes!

On June 10th, Ryan will perform at the Songwriter Series at the Commodore Lounge at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt on West End Avenue across from Centennial Park, Nashville.

Latest Rye Murphey Album, "MIRACLE STREET" Available Now!

Ryan's new album "Miracle Street" is available on Spin Box Records, www.spinboxclub.com.

If you need more information please contact:

Vernell Hackett 615-356-8176

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.