pmjasper
02-23-2009, 08:54 PM
Below is a story I would love to share, regarding a young man named Tanner Hrobak and his battle with brain cancer. In an effort to help him and other children battling serious illnesses, I have created a fly and written a supporting article that I hopes that someone, influential in the fishing community, can help increase the cirulation of the story. We desparately need to increase the awareness of the plight of these children, and what we, as anglers, can do to help. I have contacted numerous magazines, distributors and television peronalities to no avail. Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Here is the article:
OF TARPON AND TRIUMPH | ARTICLE BY PHILIP METZ
A boy’s heart and a fisherman’s dream
As the sun inched slowly above the horizon, we quietly poled the boat towards a small pod of tarpon. Eagerly sipping numerous baitfish off of one of the many tidal flats that dot the area, I prepared to cast to the magical fish that had consumed so many hours of my sleep. I had anxiously awaited this trip, carefully researching the migration patterns, fishing techniques and feeding habits of my intended target, the silver king. Not too long ago, in a hospital room miles from the coast, a young boy could only dream of the day he would be back on the water chasing his favorite fish, the tarpon.
It only seemed like yesterday that Tanner Hrobak was running around his father’s tackle store, pestering him to close the shop early and take him fishing. Back then it was bluefish, striped bass and weakfish along the New Jersey coastline that tickled his fancy. There were other pursuits that Tanner enjoyed but nothing seemed to delight him as much as grabbing a fishing rod and climbing aboard his father’s boat. The times spent on the water were magical to the both of them but all that would change one fateful day in April with a conversation no parent should have to partake in. Doctors had confirmed that Tanner was sick, not the kind of sick that kisses or hugs could cure, but the kind that required hospitals, surgeries and hours of pain-staking treatments. The diagnosis was cancer and the outlook was anything but positive. The cancer had arrived in the form of a tumor in Tanner’s brain and threatened to choke the vivaciousness that had made him such an energetic and fun-loving boy. The road ahead would be filled with daunting challenges, endless journeys and arduous tasks.
Through it all fishing seemed to be the farthest thing from anyone’s mind, yet the water and its beauty never seemed to leave Tanner’s thoughts. Miles away from the ocean, at The Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Tanner spoke to other young patients about the tarpon, snook and sea trout that roamed the waters surrounding his home. He told them how pelicans would beg for scraps and turtles would glide effortlessly along the canal. Somewhere in those descriptions the children were removed from the medical apparatus and painful regiments that seemed to dominate their days. There in the descriptions of a young boy, they too were meandering along the waterways, experiencing all they had to offer.
It was at this point, sitting at my tying bench on a chilly morning, that I thought there must be something that I could do to recognize Tanner, his plight and all the other children stricken with illness. As I thought of all that had transpired since his diagnosis, I grabbed my thread, some marabou and hackle, beginning what would become my tribute to Tanner and his fellow patients. As I thought of the pattern I would create, not only did I want a fly which would be productive, but I wanted to tell the story of these children. I began with a head consisting of light blue thread, representative of the hospital scrubs these patients and their families are all too accustom to seeing. Continuing with a white marabou collar was my hope for better days in the lives of these children. Next I added some red marabou, revealing the heart and determination exhibited by all those affected with illness, followed by a layer of yellow marabou showing the bright demeanor these patients continue to have in the face of great adversity. Completing the fly, I chose a white splayed hackle presenting a breakthrough and victory over illness along with the flash material that represents these children whom are shining stars that inspire us all. I named the fly Tanner’s Revenge, as no illness could seem to deter his spirit, determination and zest for life.
Upon completing of the fly, I contacted The Fly Shop in Redding, California who graciously agreed to produce the fly and send a portion of the proceeds to The Children’s Hospital for the benefit of those faced with battling illness. Fishermen who purchase a Tanner’s Revenge have the opportunity to realize their dreams of a trophy catch on the fly while supporting so many in need. We as fishermen have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others, which is far greater than any catch we could ever have.
Back on the water, as we inched closer to the feeding tarpon, I looked back and saw Tanner and his father sharing a moment that had become all too rare over the past few months. It was on the water where they belonged, doing what fathers and sons seemed destined to do, and as I looked back towards the feeding fish I realized our triumph had begun well before we spotted those tarpon.
Tanner’s Revenge, along with many other great fly fishing products, are available by visiting The Fly Shop at http://www.theflyshop.com.
Should you wish to inquire about Tanner Hrobak's situation further, please feel free to visit his CaringBridge page below. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tannerhrobak.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Philip Metz
OF TARPON AND TRIUMPH | ARTICLE BY PHILIP METZ
A boy’s heart and a fisherman’s dream
As the sun inched slowly above the horizon, we quietly poled the boat towards a small pod of tarpon. Eagerly sipping numerous baitfish off of one of the many tidal flats that dot the area, I prepared to cast to the magical fish that had consumed so many hours of my sleep. I had anxiously awaited this trip, carefully researching the migration patterns, fishing techniques and feeding habits of my intended target, the silver king. Not too long ago, in a hospital room miles from the coast, a young boy could only dream of the day he would be back on the water chasing his favorite fish, the tarpon.
It only seemed like yesterday that Tanner Hrobak was running around his father’s tackle store, pestering him to close the shop early and take him fishing. Back then it was bluefish, striped bass and weakfish along the New Jersey coastline that tickled his fancy. There were other pursuits that Tanner enjoyed but nothing seemed to delight him as much as grabbing a fishing rod and climbing aboard his father’s boat. The times spent on the water were magical to the both of them but all that would change one fateful day in April with a conversation no parent should have to partake in. Doctors had confirmed that Tanner was sick, not the kind of sick that kisses or hugs could cure, but the kind that required hospitals, surgeries and hours of pain-staking treatments. The diagnosis was cancer and the outlook was anything but positive. The cancer had arrived in the form of a tumor in Tanner’s brain and threatened to choke the vivaciousness that had made him such an energetic and fun-loving boy. The road ahead would be filled with daunting challenges, endless journeys and arduous tasks.
Through it all fishing seemed to be the farthest thing from anyone’s mind, yet the water and its beauty never seemed to leave Tanner’s thoughts. Miles away from the ocean, at The Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Tanner spoke to other young patients about the tarpon, snook and sea trout that roamed the waters surrounding his home. He told them how pelicans would beg for scraps and turtles would glide effortlessly along the canal. Somewhere in those descriptions the children were removed from the medical apparatus and painful regiments that seemed to dominate their days. There in the descriptions of a young boy, they too were meandering along the waterways, experiencing all they had to offer.
It was at this point, sitting at my tying bench on a chilly morning, that I thought there must be something that I could do to recognize Tanner, his plight and all the other children stricken with illness. As I thought of all that had transpired since his diagnosis, I grabbed my thread, some marabou and hackle, beginning what would become my tribute to Tanner and his fellow patients. As I thought of the pattern I would create, not only did I want a fly which would be productive, but I wanted to tell the story of these children. I began with a head consisting of light blue thread, representative of the hospital scrubs these patients and their families are all too accustom to seeing. Continuing with a white marabou collar was my hope for better days in the lives of these children. Next I added some red marabou, revealing the heart and determination exhibited by all those affected with illness, followed by a layer of yellow marabou showing the bright demeanor these patients continue to have in the face of great adversity. Completing the fly, I chose a white splayed hackle presenting a breakthrough and victory over illness along with the flash material that represents these children whom are shining stars that inspire us all. I named the fly Tanner’s Revenge, as no illness could seem to deter his spirit, determination and zest for life.
Upon completing of the fly, I contacted The Fly Shop in Redding, California who graciously agreed to produce the fly and send a portion of the proceeds to The Children’s Hospital for the benefit of those faced with battling illness. Fishermen who purchase a Tanner’s Revenge have the opportunity to realize their dreams of a trophy catch on the fly while supporting so many in need. We as fishermen have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others, which is far greater than any catch we could ever have.
Back on the water, as we inched closer to the feeding tarpon, I looked back and saw Tanner and his father sharing a moment that had become all too rare over the past few months. It was on the water where they belonged, doing what fathers and sons seemed destined to do, and as I looked back towards the feeding fish I realized our triumph had begun well before we spotted those tarpon.
Tanner’s Revenge, along with many other great fly fishing products, are available by visiting The Fly Shop at http://www.theflyshop.com.
Should you wish to inquire about Tanner Hrobak's situation further, please feel free to visit his CaringBridge page below. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tannerhrobak.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Philip Metz