Fly Fishing Saves Lives

In this captivating episode of our podcast, we dive into the life of Mike Ritsco, a 47-year-old boilermaker from Calgary, who finds solace and joy in the art of fly fishing. Born in Claresholm, Alberta, Mike's journey is a testament to the unexpected paths life can take us on.

We start by exploring Mike's early years in Alberta, discovering how his childhood influenced his love for outdoor activities, particularly fly fishing. His stories from the serene streams of his hometown bring to life the tranquility and connection to nature that fly fishing offers.

As we delve deeper, Mike opens up about the demanding nature of his job in the Syncrude oil sands. He shares how the rigorous demands of being a boilermaker contrast with the peace he finds by the water, casting his line. This conversation leads us into a thoughtful discussion on work-life balance and how hobbies like fly fishing can offer a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The heart of this episode lies in Mike's insights on how fly fishing has positively impacted his mental health. He shares personal anecdotes and moments of revelation, highlighting how this sport has been a lifeline during challenging times.

In a touching segment, Mike talks about his family, trauma, loss , and too many things that a child should never have to go through, and at the heart of it all, the river was his escape!

As we wrap up, Mike offers invaluable advice to aspiring fly fishers, especially those seeking mental wellness through the sport. He emphasizes the importance of patience, connection to nature, and the therapeutic power of fly fishing.

This episode is not just about fly fishing; it's a journey through life's ups and downs, and how finding that one passion can provide balance, peace, and a deeper appreciation for the simple pleasures in life.

Join me as I sit down with local Calgary fly fishing guide Geoff Green, as we explore his life before during and on the other end of his career as a paramedic. "You're not quitting, you're not giving up on you, you're not losing a massive battle, you're taking care of you" . Geoff is very open about issues that he faced, and what he did to help over come his PTSD. He also shares some very personal stories about losing people closest to him in this raw episode of fly fishing saves lives.

Join us in this Episode as Mike Hawkins from Longview Texas shares with us his story of the fly rod his Dad (Robert Hawkins) built him in 1991 for Christmas, and how that would help heal them after losing their mother the year before. Fly fishing became a Journey of healing, and ultimately a bond that was unbreakable between him and his Father. Mike lost his dad just In Dec 2019, but he will never lose the memories, and cherished time that his father gave him!

On this episode I sit down with Chas Waitt. A father, a husband and an avid fly fisher. Chas was ecstatic the day his son Nolan was born, and heard the words "It's a boy". Six months later, he and his wife were faced were news no parent is ever prepared to hear, With life changing news about their son, being diagnosed with Infantile Spasms ( having upwards of 600 seizures a day) they quickly learned that quality of time was everything, and they were drawn back to the river, to see if Fly Fishing could save their lives!

In this episode, I sit down with a good friend and Local Guide Quinn Styles with Trout Farmer. He opens up about his life as a fly fishing guide, and long time Calgary firefighter, and how he balances the two. More importantly, he shares with us a scary time In his life where he had to say "I need help" and the steps he took to get the help he needed for his mental health. We also discuss a little more in-depth the guiding industry, and WHY he loves guiding so much after almost 30 years in the industry!

In this episode, I chat with a good virtual friend! Mark is a front line worker in the midwest who shares with us one of his greatest losses in life, a dark space that had him looking to the exit, and with some divine intervention how Fly Fishing Saved his life!

We chat with Brain McGrattan, former NHL tough guy/enforcer, as he vulnerable shares with us the demons that almost cost him his life with drugs and alcohol right to the moment he declared " I need help". Through his journey, he shares how Fly Fishing Saved his life, and how it continues to give him what he needs to carry on with 12 years of sobriety!

In this episode I sit down with friend Cam Woolnough and discuss what brought him into fly fishing, and how it helped him "quiet the monkeys" in his head! Cam grew up in Alberta, and started his fishing journey chucking gear until he moved to Calgary and picked up a fly rod! Lots of obstacles in Cam's life especially after losing his mom to cancer in 2016 and fly fishing helped him over come all of it, to get him to where he is today!

In this episode with chat with Steven Lyle. Steven grew up in the rocky mountains just west of Sundre, Alberta. Having grown up playing hockey at a high level, his next step in the corporate world involved a lot of alcohol and trying to win over sales through entertaining people. Now 6 years sober, and 5 years into his fly fishing journey, he shares with us what this journey has been like and how Fly Fishing Saved His life.

“Tell me a story!”

Something we have all said or heard in our lives.

Stories bring us together around the campfire.

Storytelling has earned its place as the most important tradition humans possess.

The most important reason for this being that every story contains a lesson.

Lesson to love, to forgive , to be just and to strive for better than we have. They empower us, they lead us, they comfort us.

Born in Alberta, raised in the back-country. Fishing, hunting, nature, the wild, all run thick in my blood.

Growing up a canadian boy, I had a similar dream to most other boys my age here, to make the NHL.

When the dream was yanked from beneath my feet

How could I carry on..

My story is full of Hope, inspiration, Joy, Heartbreak, heartache and Resiliency.

Hey Friends, my name is Dana Lattery. I am a Fly Fishing guide in Southern Alberta, an ex Professional Hockey player, and a storyteller at heart.

Having spent the past decade guiding thousands of Fly Fishermen from all over the world, I have heard so many stories that paralleled mine.

Stories of pain, brokenness, tragedy, from all different walks of life.

The more time I spent with them, the more I realized we all shared one common thread…

Fly Fishing Saved our lives.

Grab your favorite drink, and join me on this journey, as our story begins!