Official DownStream 2010 Report...

It is with great pleasure that I bring you a few descriptive images from the day. Thanks to Mike Howes from Granite Bay Fly Casters for the most of these images and Shawn Pittard for providing us with a little write-up. The day was a huge success for 20 people with Down syndrome and 70 plus volunteers.

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

20 kids with Down Syndrome put John Wooden’s words, printed on the backs of their tee-shirts, into action at the fourth annual DownStream fly fishing event. For the second year in a row, Mark and Kristen Brown provided full access to the Willow Creek Event Facility on their 40-acre ranch near Browns Valley. 70 volunteers coming from fly fishing clubs, local schools and sponsor employees were on hand to guide the kids through a fun-filled day of learning and doing.

The kids learned how to tie a fly, paint a fish picture, how to cast and to see what fish eat. They also learned how to catch fish, lots of fish. High-fives were everywhere as the kids caught feisty rainbow trout in the ranch’s ponds. After a hearty lunch, complete with ice cream cones, the kids went right back to fly fishing. Fish stories were in the making and more than one young fly-fisher could be heard asking a parent for “One more cast.”

The Appeal-Democrat in Yuba City wrote up a little something: Article

Soon to be fly fishing legend, Tommy Berg with his hand-tied flies.

A huge thanks to all who make this possible,

For more on the fine folks who made this possible, click here.

The fifth annual event has begun brewing, make sure to follow us on Facebook for future events.

Thank you to all my friends, family, students, parents, sponsors and volunteers for making this unique program come alive.

DownStream Fly Fishing Day

We are now inside of two weeks before we kick off DownStream Fly Fishing 2010. We are at full capacity with 25 excited students and 78 passionate volunteers. We have a few new sponsors to add to the list and can't wait to show them our event.








DownStream means business, we make success attainable.

I had a chance to visit Mark and Kristen Brown who own Willow Creek Event Center and was blown away by improvements done in that last year. They have created a Hawaiian sanctuary where no sane person would ever want to leave. Mark and Kristen are wonderful people who have extended themselves to no end to make this event incredible. The property they have, coupled with their commitment to excellence has created a jaw-dropping background for any event. They are working hard to make a unique venue for weddings retreats and much more.

This is where our students will be hooking Rainbow Trout!

I was able to bring out one of DownStream's key supporters, Steve Pereira with Certified Systems in Chico, to help me find some fish. We were joined by his charismatic father-in-law, Harry. The trout were not too cooperative, however the bluegill and bass were anxious and willing to show off their ability to crush flies. For the event, to make sure everyone hooks a trout or two Mark has arranged for the pond to be stocked with perky rainbows.













Bluegill are plentiful and eager to inhale flies like this guy!

We feel blessed to have such passionate people helping us put this event together. It is all about the people- I am going to get you, I just need to find you!

So far so good, we have a new cooking team this year that has success written all over it. They mentioned something about tri-tip sandwiches... we'll see about that!

The bass is clearly aspiring to be like the fish on the shirt.

As part of our commitment to education we teach conservation and catch and release.

With final preparations underway we are ready and willing to do what it takes to make this day unforgettable. If you are reading this and want to get involved, contact us. We are ready to start preparing for next year.

Thank you,
Ryan
Email: rhmiller@gmail.com

Sponsor Updates

We are thrilled to be working with high quality sponsors.

Click here for more...

Updates for DownStream

Great news: Thanks to many hands and determination we are totally full! We have 25 students and over 70 volunteers coming out May 22. Thank you to all who on board!

If you a current participant or volunteer and have questions feel free to see the appropriate links in this blog.

Thanks!

The Event: May 22, 2010

We are nearing the point of no return, show time is near. So far we have 61 volunteers from various fly fishing clubs and organizations all over Northern California. We have 21 students who are eager to pounce on some Rainbow Trout. For some of our students this will be their fourth year at DownStream fly fishing.

It really is an amazing sight to see these kids tackle fly fishing. It always amazes me how well they do.

Sponsors so far include:
Certified Systems
Sac-Sierra Trout Unlimited
Gold Country Fly Fishers

Thanks!

Returning Sponsors

I am proud to release our confirmed sponsors for DownStream 2010... so far.

Sac-Sierra chapter of Trout Unlimited

We are off to a great start with help from two great organizations.