Risers 4 Rett Spring 2022
Year of the “W”
It seems every year at Risers has a theme. We’ve had high water, low water, big fish, lots of fish, the social distancing event…. there’s usually something that stands out. Well, this year without a doubt was the year of the “W”. Superstitious fishing guides will smack their sports on the back of the head when the “W” word is said out loud, as if uttering it by name might cause it to appear (kind of like Beetlejuice – never say his name 3x in a row). Apparently, our late-night band of revelers must have done the W dance, because by midafternoon on Friday a “breeze” occurred that pretty much tore down the tents, broke the poles that held the tent up, and caused the Risers committee crew to spring to action and move the entire event up the hill into the Almont Inn. I was floating the East River with several of the Risers faithful along with a few newbies (new to Risers, not new to the fly rod). After dodging boulders and drops for the past few hours, we rounded the bend and were starting to pass the first cabin at the Almont Inn when Mother Nature’s wrath came down upon us. Our rafts got pushed into the willows and we were unable to float downstream as maybe 80 mph winds (there, I said it…) crushed us from downstream. What a beat down. When we finally made it to the bank near Cabin 18, the chef crew came to our rescue and helped us pull the boats onto shore. That’s when we saw the tent collapsed, torn, and in shambles. That didn’t keep one of our chef crew from sneaking under the collapsed tent carnage, using his iphone light to make his way to where the bar once stood, mixing himself a cocktail, and come shimmying out with a smile on his face.
As is true of every Risers event, we were blessed with incredible participants with some mad flyfishing skills and huge hearts. The fishing was a blast as always. Finding clear water amidst some higher water conditions was the key, and some folks found favor by chucking streamers while others threw nymphs with some weight to get the rig down. I didn’t hear of anyone doing well on dries up in the Almont area, but rumors circulated of a couple of guys sneaking off with their guide to creeks distant where they picked off feisty browns on chubbies and droppers at each creek bend. More than one participant tried to pry OnX coordinates from the team members, though they kept their guide’s secret spot safe for another year. There were some big fish landed again this year. A 24” beast in the C&R section won top prize for biggest cuttbow this year. Top team honors went to the Swinging D’s and Adam Denno and John Dowling. Among a pretty fishy group of fly-people, these guys crushed it and walked away with some Riser’s hardware and Fishpond nets. Nice work, boys!
While the fishing is fun and what unites us, it’s the Risers mission that brings purpose to each and every one of us. The Friday night banquet is always special as we have Rett parents share their stories of hope and love for their daughters. Jim Schroath spoke from the heart when he shared his family’s Rett journey with their beautiful daughter Hallie. Jim is one of our own…President of Rocky Mountain Rett Association, and a champion for finding a cure for Rett Syndrome. Sharing Hallie’s story and that of the other Rett kids we support is always so meaningful at our events. New participants come for the fishing and leave with a warmed heart for the work we are doing for these kids. In fact, one first timer approached the committee about making Riser’s his company’s annual charity to support and plans to invite his clients and suppliers to come support in the Fall. That’s what Risers is all about.
In spite of the wild weather, we had a blast and each left with new friendships and the knowledge that they are doing something to help shift the course for Rett kids in the future. I know I walked away proud to be a small part of this amazing community and can’t wait until we join forces this coming September to do it all over again!
Brad Billingsley
R4R committee member