A Trip That Meant More Than One Can Explain

[PeteZahut]

I haven't posted much in a long time, many reasons which I won't get into now. But two weeks ago I had a special experience I wanted to share.

 

Coming up on three years ago I started to get sick. After months of issues and going back and forth with the clinics, I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis. 6 months after that I required emergency surgery to remove my entire colon. When I came out of the hospital after that, an amazing group of my buddies bought me a guided trip with Dave Jensen whom my wife and I have been out with numerous times. It was quite touching that they would do this for me as they know what fishing does to mind and soul. Between floods and a couple more surgeries we finally were able to make a trip. And before I go into that I want to say something about Dave. I am sure you all know that he gave up the guiding business over a year ago to pursue other interests, the most obvious being the Alberta Fishing Guide. Well even though my friends bought this for me over two years ago he said we would make this trip happen no matter what and no matter when. He knew what this trip meant to me and made sure we did what I wanted and what my body was able to do. He made the time to research what people in my condition can normally eat and adjusted any food he brought to accommodate that. His humor is awesome and fish spotting skills are unreal I can go on and on...I do hope that one day he rejoins the guiding world as he has so much to offer.

 

So we finally agreed on a destination and a time. The decision was to bike about 8 km up a horse trail and then explore some water. My wife and I just bought bikes this summer so I thought what a great idea. We had the most amazing day! Regret a bit buying a hard tail as the rocks we went over left my back end hurting quite a bit for days. We found a little piece of heaven with no one around and a stupid amount of cutts willing to play. Fished nothing but dries all day long!

 

The day provided a most necessary escape from the crap I have gone through (and continue to) over the past couple of years. I smiled for hours straight, laughed and giggled like a little kid, felt new again. Thank you Dave and of course my wife for giving me a day I will never forget.

 

Just a couple of photos:

This one courtesy of Dave Jensen, the wife and I having a blast:

 

Where we started:

 

More fun:

[Guest bigdirty]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Does look like a piece of heaven

[murray]

Talk about a feel good story. I'm sorry to hear about your personal troubles, life can be cruel. I have met Dave and his wife when they were coming to the FF expo years ago. I thought they were both CLASS acts then and this story says they still are.

By the looks of the pictures, it was a trip to remember and in beautiful country. Glad to hear you are able to resume an activity you love.

 

Murray

[fishinglibin]

Looked Great. Keep getting better bud.

[Sage]

Great post....enjoyed the read!

[darrinhurst]

I haven't had the pleasure of fishing with Dave, but a couple friends of mine have, and like you, have nothing but great things to say about him and his fishing skills.

 

And, judging by the articles he writes for Fly Fusion, his history, and background, I can't think of a better couple than Dave and Amelia to take over for Alberta Fishing Guide.

 

All that said, I am glad that you had a trip to remember after all the health issues that you have had to endure over the last couple years. I hope that you are able to continue to follow your passion of fly fishing as you learn to deal and live with your condition.

 

Great pictures and an even better story, thanks for sharing with us.

[PeteZahut]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I could have gone on and on about the day but some of that is just for me. I keep getting stronger and hopefully only one more surgery to go. I don't however feel sorry for myself nor do I let any of this stand in my way. With acceptance of slight modifications of what I can do, I will continue to do what I love when I want.

[BigFoamy]

Wow man, really glad you where able to forget about life for awhile. Im a chrones (ulcerative colitis) guy as well, I've lost 60 lbs in the last 2.5 years and i consider myself lucky because haven't had and plumbing removed yet! A good friend of mine just had her anus sewed shut its really awful. That said it takes every aspect of your life over because you feel like *hit on a regular basis. People just dont understand. Ive had 6 colonoscopys in the last 4 years, I've refused to do the last two because of how much it hurts at this point. I swear to god they left something in there last time Not many days go by, where you dont feel bad enough to worry about it! this escape was awesome for you!!!

 

Anyways buddy, real glad you and your wife where able to get out and do this, you've got great friends.

 

Great to dave for hooking you guys up.

[Swede]

Thanks for sharing that Pete, glad your getting back to the things you love in life.

 

I've never fished with Dave or Amelia but they motivated me to be a much better fly fisherman. I doubled the size of my PB brown because of their video's . I don't know why but everytime I see Dave and Amelia it makes me think of Joan and Lee Wolfe or Barry and Cathy beck, Dave and Amelia Whitlock. Still blows me away watching their video's even though I've watched them a hundred times each lol

[fishinglibin]

Guys I too am my own worst enemy when it come to a scope as I resist, but they can sedate you as well. That is the only way I can do it now. And they are so important for men over 40. Hell the finger is bad enough, let alone the scope. The Dr said you have to relax, Yah right, I said let met do this for you and see how you relax. They did not appreciate that. With all the stuff just mentioned that members are and have been going through, it sure puts things in prospective.

[bjlee]

Awesome pictures and great story!

[PeteZahut]

Wow foamy, sorry you have to deal with Crohns but glad to hear you have not to have plumbing removed. That is such a crappy thing about crohns, even if you remove some it could come back somewhere else. At least with my UC we got rid of the whole thing. Now I deal with other issues, we all have our battles.

 

I hear you about the scopes. I hated the prep more then then the scope.

 

Be well all! And thanks again for being such a supportive group of people.