Trout outing was more than fishing
PALMYRA - Kathy Braun of Jefferson stood on the shore of the pond, green grass up to the ankles of her pink and blue rubber boots, and for the first time in 40 years, cast a fly line.
A split second after the tiny nymph hit the water, a rainbow trout engulfed it.
"Wow!" said Braun, 69. "I think we have the right recipe."
The graphite rod pulsed with the dips and jumps of the trout, and after 30 seconds Braun led the fish to the waiting hands of Matt Sment of Madison, who unhooked the rainbow and returned it to the water.
"Let's see if we can do that again," Braun said.
She did, more than a dozen times. Braun was among 20 participants in a fly fishing outing Wednesday at Rushing Waters Trout Farm in Palmyra.
The event was about much more than hooking fish, however.
It was organized by the Wisconsin Parkinson Association, a non-profit organization based in Brookfield.
The participants at the outing all have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, or PD.
Volunteers for the event were members of Trout Unlimited chapters in Wisconsin.
Most people are familiar with the visible symptoms of the disease, such as tremors and stiffness, said Gary Garland, executive director of the Wisconsin Parkinson Association.
"What many don't see is the isolation the disease can lead to," Garland said. "This (fishing event) gets them out for a fun activity and helps them socialize with other people on the same journey."
Fly fishing and fly casting can help improve balance, coordination and increase mobility, all important factors for someone with PD, Garland said.
"I like the motion of the cast," said George McCullough, 65, of Brookfield. "Bringing the fish in is pretty good, too."
McCullough was diagnosed with PD 20 years ago. He initially noticed loss of movement in his left hand. Then his little finger became useless.
He went through three physicians and three misdiagnoses before learning what was afflicting him.
He tries to stay as active as possible, including cycling and table tennis. The fishing outing was a rare treat, he said.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.
Research has shown the disease is linked to a drop of dopamine in the brain.
Symptoms usually start gradually, sometimes with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand, and vary among patients, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Tremors are common, but the disorder also often causes stiffness or slowing of movement. Speech may also become soft or slurred.
Parkinson's disease symptoms generally worsen over time as the condition progresses.
About 1 in 100 Americans over the age of 60 are affected by the disease, and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. More than 1 million Americans are living with PD, according to statistics provided by the Wisconsin Parkinson Association.
Although there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, it is treatable. Medications have been shown to significantly improve symptoms, and some patients have been helped through a surgical procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation.
And then there is the triumvirate of exercise, diet and socialization.
Garland, of the Wisconsin Parkinson Association, said the fishing event was intended to hit two of those three.
It started at 9 a.m. with fly casting instruction on the grassy lawn at Rushing Waters. Both conventional and Tenkara fly equipment was available.
Then volunteers helped the anglers fish in the trout-filled waters of the pond. Rushing Waters has a wooden fishing platform, including a railing, along western edge of the pond.
The business provides groups free access to the pond for outings, said Staci Griffiths, office manager.
Fish that were lightly hooked were released, but those not likely to survive were placed on ice and later cleaned for sale.
The idea for the outing originated with Jonathan Hill of Stoughton, a TU member and former facilitator of the PD Support Group in Stoughton. He was diagnosed with PD in 2014.
Hill, unfortunately, was ill Wednesday and did not attend this year's event.
The motion used to cast a fly rod is relatively gentle and doesn't require brute strength.
The gear is extremely light, and it's crisp timing, not power, that is key to a good cast.
Over three hours the participants and volunteers fanned out around the pond and fished and talked and laughed.
Joe Tschachler of Brookfield, 93, came with his son, Tom, 66 of Summit. Tom was diagnosed with PD in 2005. He had Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in 2014.
"It has changed my life," Tom Tschachler said. "Before, I had periods where I couldn't move for 8 hours at a time. I would never have been able to do this before the surgery."
Wednesday the father and son fished side-by-side, just as they had 60 years ago.
About 10:30 low clouds began to dissipate and were replaced with blue skies. Bright sun reflected off the pond and highlighted purple blossoms of lilacs.
At noon, lunch was served.
The 20 spots in the event filled quickly, Garland said. The next one seems likely to be popular, too.
"This was lots of fun," Braun said. "We all have challenges. The exercise and camaraderie are really helpful to deal with them."