I, Dave Beerbower just returned from a Christ in the Rockies camp in Buena Vista, Colorado. I am sure you have read Sterling Short’s report about his experience with CITR near Fort Collins. If you haven’t read it, make sure to do.
I met Mike Haddorff, the leader of CITR at the FATC retreat with Altar Fly Fishing in the Wisconsin Driftless area in May of this year. Mike and I had an immediate connection and spent a lot of time sharing our stories with each other. He asked me to consider coming out to volunteer at his camp at Buena Vista, Co in September to help guide the campers. The subject of the camp was The Way Of Wisdom for men 50 yrs old and up. Since I just barely met the requirements, I decided to give it a go. Mike wanted someone to show the campers how to cast conventionally since most of the other guides did Euro style.
All the “staff” arrived on Monday to give us time to get acquainted and to scout the waters we were going to fish. Mike is an experienced euro fisherman who loves to share with new guys. Rob is a retired pastor who fishes and helps Mike teach the classes. Greg and Scott took care of the food prep and Dan and I did clean up.
We checked in to the guest houses and they were beautiful with all the comforts of home. There is a stocked pond on the property, so Scott and I hit that on Monday evening. In an hour, we both had over 10 large fish,14-18” on dry flies. Game on!
The next day, we prepped for the coming week and fished the Arkansas River on some private water. I decided to try euro and caught one fish, but the river runs fast and deep, making it difficult for me with my old legs. Even with a wading staff, I fell in and lost two fly boxes. See Sid, it happens to other guys too.
The next day, our campers arrived; one from Illinois, two from Texas, one from California and two fro Colorado, with varying experience levels. We started the Way if Wisdom classes that evening, talking about the parable of the Return of the Prodigal Son. The focus for us was on becoming more like the father in the parable who is representative of God. I was amazed how the men opened their hearts and shared their deepest secrets, searching for God’s wisdom for direction. A powerful night following Mike’s teaching.
The next day, we all went to the pond and Mike did a hands on euro class to show the campers how to caste. Some stayed and fished to pond and some went to fish the Arkansas.
The next day looked like an all day rain, so some of us went to explore Buena Vista and the Ark Fly Shop,but a few brave souls hit the Arkansas and they did catch fish. More lessons from Mike that evening talking about the mind of Christ. The questions and discussions were great and it is true, iron sharpens iron.
We woke the next morning to clear, blue skies and the 14K Mt. Princeton covered in her full glory with snow! See the pictures. Again the group split up. Some returned to the Arkansas River while another group went to the smaller Chalk Creek. The fishing today was pretty good, while the scenery was spectacular. We finished our group lessons with Mike leading us to understand the 7 layers that prevent us from living the mind of Christ. That evening, we had a time of commitment to plan our journey after we return home.
Everyone felt that this was a mountaintop experience, literally and figuratively. I strongly urge you to consider attending one of Christ in the Rockies retreats next year. You will come away a better fisherman, and more importantly, a better man.