BJC Children’s Hospital Feather Fly Tying Event

11-30-2023

Wanting to get one more Feather Fly Tying Event in before the end of the year, I spoke with Emily at Children’s Hospital and we were able to come up with the date of November 30.  Sending out a request for volunteers, I received a response from three FATC members, Richard Doerr, Allen Blair and Bob Palisch.  I would round out the group and we were good to go. I emailed to the volunteers the hospital visitor regulations and parking information, as well as directions to the security desk where we would need to check in.  Emily would meet us at the security desk at 12:45 and escort us to the eighth floor activities room, where the patients, some parents and the hospital student volunteers would join us. 

We set up our vises and divided the materials up so we would be ready to tie.  Richard and Al jumped right in and before I new it they had a surplus of safety pin flies on display.  I encouraged them to slow down a bit as they were making Bob and I look like a couple of slackers.  Soon we were tying flies specific to the taste of the patients, allowing them to pick out the colors and types of feathers.  It is always great to see the smiles on their faces once you have created a one of a kind safety pin fly that they can wear on their pajamas for display.  There were also a couple of requests for flies for a sibling, that was at home and by a mother to take to her son in rehab.  The student volunteers were happy to get involved and before we new it Richard was teaching them how to tie their own safety pin fly, which they proudly displayed in their hair. 

As usual, at these events, the time flies by and it was time to clean up our mess, pack up our gear and say farewell to everyone in the activities room.  Emily escorted us back through security and we briefly discussed our plans for our next visit.  It will most likely be in February or March.  If you would like to be part of this fun event, keep your eyes on the Team-up calendar and sign up early, unfortunately we are only allowed four volunteers at the hospital at a time.

Thank you Al, Bob and Rich for your desire to be involved in the growth of our fellowship.  Let the tug on your heart be as strong as the tug from that 20”+ trout that makes your day on the stream.

Steve Baker

FATC Community Service Lead