Fly Fishing Program

Hayley Leishman, TRS, CTRS (student paper)

PROGRAM: Fly Fishing

Purpose: To provide mindful leisure experiences through fly fishing that will help develop psychological
resources and improve impulse control and coping skills, with the ultimate goal of a greater sense of well
being.
Program Objectives
TPO

1. To demonstrate knowledge of the concept of mindfulness.

EO 1. To demonstrate understanding of what mindfulness is.
EO 2. To demonstrate knowledge of opportunities when mindfulness could be used.
EO 3. To practice a formal mindfulness meditation.

Implementation Description
Population
This program is for male and female adults who have substance abuse problems and who may also have
co-occurring mental health disorders: anxiety, depression and/or bipolar disorder. The number of clients
per session varies, but ideally there should be at least 5 and no more than 16.
Program Length and Duration
This program is designed to be implemented in 12 sessions over the course of 6 weeks. With the
exception of the final session, each session will be 90 minutes in duration.
Program Context
This program was designed for an inpatient or residential substance abuse treatment program. But could
easily be adapted to an outpatient or community based setting.

Staff
Each session should be ran by at least one TRS, along with the appropriate number of staff to meet the
facility patient to staff ratio.
Facility
Most of the sessions will take place in a classroom type setting, with tables, chairs and a whiteboard along
with a projector or monitor that can hook up to a laptop. Several sessions will take place outdoors in a
large grassy area (approx. 100 ft x 100 ft) free from obstacles and overhead obstructions. The final
session will involve travel to a local community pond, or nearby cold-water river.
Equipment
The necessary equipment for each session is specified in the following pages.

Additional Implementation Information

Session Content and Sequence
Information on the sequence of content to be presented is found on the Sequence Sheet within the text of
the materials. The Sequence Sheet provides direction for the sequence within each session as well as the
sequence of the total program.
Program Content and Process
The objectives, and the exact content and process related to each objective, are described in the Content
and Process sheets found within the text of the materials.
A Note on the Discussions
Much of the learning in this program is based on discussion. Leaders must, therefore, be capable of
guiding discussions according to the needs and experiences of the group members. Stimulating discussion
may require that the leaders contribute information and personal experiences; however, they should not
dominate the session. Instead, they should build as much as possible on the responses of the clients.
Evaluation of the Performance Measures
Evaluation of client performance should be conducted on an ongoing basis. Participants will be meeting
most of the criteria stated in the performance measures during discussions. It is therefore necessary that
leaders record progress made during or directly after conducting a session. Notes made during the session
should be taken as unobtrusively as possible. Before each session, it is advisable for leaders to review the
performance measures relevant to the content being covered.

A Note on the Fly Fishing Related Educational Component

Most of the sessions require that the leader has enough experience and knowledge of fly fishing to teach a
beginning group the skills necessary to fly fish. If the TRS does not have the ability to do this or, needs
additional resources, other options to help facilitation would be:
Arranging a third party facilitator for the fly fishing related education component of the sessions.
Your local fly shop or outfitter will be an excellent resource.
Utilizing Internet based resources such as videos to teach the fly fishing related education
component of the sessions. One recommended source is: https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/videolessons.
A Note on Instructions
Instructions on the Content and Process Sheets are presented in a narrative style. This is to facilitate an
understanding of how the material may be presented. Leaders are to note this style, but should not
memorize or read the instructions while conducting group sessions (unless specified to do so). Instead, an
attempt should be made to reproduce the relaxed, conversational tone when giving instructions to the
group.

Objectives and Performance Measures

PROGRAM: Fly Fishing and Mindfulness
TERMINAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVE: 1. To demonstrate knowledge of the concept of mindfulness.
ENABLING OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate understanding of what

mindfulness is.

To demonstrate knowledge of opportunities

when mindfulness could be used.

To practice a formal mindfulness meditation.

PERFORMANCE MEASURE
1. Upon request, the client will discuss with
therapeutic recreation specialist what
mindfulness is. Discussion should the
following elements:
a. being present in the moment
b. awareness of breath, or bodily sensations,
thoughts, emotions, sounds and/or other
senses.
2. Upon request, the client will state to the
therapeutic recreation specialist opportunities
or situations when mindfulness can be used,
as judged appropriate by the therapeutic
recreation specialist.
3. Upon request, the client will participate in a
formal mindfulness meditation as observed by
the therapeutic recreation specialist.

Content and Process Description

TPO No.: 1
EO No.: 1 To demonstrate understanding of what mindfulness is.
EQUIPMENT:
CONTENT

PROCESS

1. Opening of group:
Begin by reviewing group rules, addressing any
concerns of the group, and introduce any new
members.
Introduce overview of group activity:
o We will talk about mindfulness and what
it is.
o Discussion on the importance of
mindfulness in fly fishing.
o Watch a short video
o Processing discussion on the importance
of mindfulness in recovery and life.
o We will practice mindfulness by doing a
mindful meditation for 15 minutes.
o Group will end after a short discussion
about the meditation experience.

Review the content at the left to open and

introduce the topic of the group.

2. Mindfulness introduction:
Mindfulness is about being fully aware of whatever
is happening in the present moment, without filters
or the lens of judgment. It can be brought to any
situation. Put simply, mindfulness consists of
cultivating awareness of the mind and body and
living in the here and now. While mindfulness as a
practice is historically rooted in ancient Buddhist
meditative disciplines, its also a universal practice
that anyone can benefit from. Mindfulness is a way of

To keep the participants engaged, use the script as

a guideline of content to cover. Key points that
must be addressed are:
-That mindfulness is an awareness of the moment
or being present in the moment with judgment.
-Mindfulness can be practiced informally or
formally and present what each type consists of.

learning how to relate directly to your life. Because

its about your life, no one else can do it for you or
tell you exactly how to do it. Fortunately, it isnt
something you have to get or acquire. You already
have it within you; its simply a matter of being
present. In fact, in the very moment you recognize
you arent present, you become present. The
moment you see that youve been trapped by your
thoughts, you gain the freedom to step out of the
trap. Mindfulness is a way of life that can be
practiced in two ways: formally and informally.
Formal practice means taking time out each day to
intentionally sit, stand, or lie down and focus on the
breath, bodily sensations, sounds, other senses, or
thoughts and emotions. Informal practice involves
bringing mindful awareness to daily, such as eating,
exercise, chores, relating to others, and basically any
action, whether at work, at home, or anywhere else
you find yourself.

Open up the group for brief discussion and

clarification of what mindfulness is, when it can be
used, and how.

Content and Process Description

TPO No.: 1
EO No.: 2 To demonstrate knowledge of opportunities when mindfulness can be used.
EQUIPMENT: TV screen or monitor or projector screen connected to a laptop with internet connection. Link
to https://vimeo.com/53419719.
CONTENT

PROCESS

1. Mindfulness is important in fly fishing, below are

some examples of how mindfulness is applied:
o Move quietly and slowly to your fishing
spot, you dont want to spook the fish.
o The fish are eating the bugs and insects
that are flying around and on the water,
you are observant and notice what the
insects look like.
o You enter the water, the water is fast
and cold, the rocks underneath are
slippery, you are cautious and focused.
o The wind is blowing your fly and fly line,
observe the breeze on your skin, which
direction is it going? You will adjust your
cast accordingly.
o Listen, are there birds chirping overhead?
The fish are listening and will be timid to
avoid being eaten.
o Look, do you see fish jumping? Or are
they quietly feeding underneath the
surface of the water?
o You are calm and focused while casting,
You dont get frustrated.
o Once you have casted, all your intention
goes to the fly and the fish underneath.
If you get distracted for one second, you
will miss the bite.

Explain how important it is to be mindful when fly

fishing using the content on the left.

This is a great opportunity to help participants

visualize fly fishing in the present moment, by
presenting the content in the present tense.
Encourage them to visualize themselves on the
river as you present this content.

Emphasize at the end that a distracted or mindless

fly fisher will not be as successful as a mindful one.
Also emphasize the importance of not judging their
performance on the river, and thus not getting
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frustrated.
Open up for questions related to fly fishing and
mindfulness.
2. Introduction of fly fishing film trailer, A Deliberate
Life. Video introduction written by the producers of
the video:
There comes a time in all of our lives when we let
ourselves dream about living life on our own terms.
When we wrestle with the decision to take a step into
traffic, follow our passions and live deliberately or
simply let another day, and daydream, pass.
In the end, it doesnt matter if we make the decision
of our own accord, or life makes it for us. Its where
our heart and soul are that matter. For some, the
result is a closer alignment between vocation and
avocation, for some its a reprioritization of whats
important in life, for some its the very real difference
between life and death.

Introduce the video and read the introduction on

the left written by the producers of the video.

3. Video link: https://vimeo.com/53419719

Watch the video

4. Following the sequence in Blooms Taxonomy,

below are questions for processing the concept of
mindfulness, fly fishing, the video and how it all
relates to recovery:
Remembering:
What have we discussed so far?
Understanding:
What is mindfulness?
What does it mean to be present?
Applying:
What does mindfulness look like when fly
fishing?
Can mindfulness be used in other leisure

Using the questions from the content on the left,

begin processing the concept of mindfulness, fly
fishing, the video and how it all relates to
recovery. Use the questions to guide the
discussion, but be flexible to go beyond these
questions.

The purpose of the video is to further help engage

the participants in fly fishing and to help them
think more big picture about the relationship of
mindfulness in their life and how to live a
deliberate life.

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activities? Examples
Can mindfulness be used in ordinary mundane
tasks?
Analyzing:
What does mindfulness look like compared to
mindlessness? Examples
Interpret this quote from the video:
Sometimes we make choices in life, and
sometimes life makes them for us, in the end
its where you put your heart and soul that
really matters.
What steps are necessary to take to be
mindful?
What does it mean to be deliberate?
Evaluating:
What is the relationship between being
deliberate and mindful?
Do you think mindfulness would be beneficial in
your own life?
What is the relationship between mindfulness
and impulse control?
What is the relationship between mindfulness
and coping with difficult situations
Creating:
How would you incorporate mindfulness in your
recovery?
What barriers do you foresee in practicing
mindfulness, and what strategies can you use
to overcome those barriers?
How can you use mindfulness to live a
deliberate life?

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Content and Process Description

TPO No.: 1
EO No.: 3 To practice a formal mindfulness meditation.
EQUIPMENT: Yoga mats or blankets, silent timer
CONTENT
1. Conclusion of group begins with a formal
meditation practice.

PROCESS
Have everyone get comfortable and prepare for
mindfulness meditation practice.
Suggest a comfortable position on the chair, sitting
on the floor, lying on the floor.
Make the mats and blankets available.
Dim some lights, not all.
Set the timer for 15 minutes
Encourage participants to close their eyes if they
are comfortable doing so.

2. Script for guiding the formal mindfulness

meditation:
o Take a few moments to be still.
Congratulate yourself for taking some
time for meditation practice."

Use the script on the left to begin the meditation.

Speak calmly, with a soft tone.

-Pause for a few secondsBring your awareness to your breath

wherever you feel it most prominently in
your body. It may be at the nose, neck,
chest, belly, or somewhere else. As you
breathe in normally and naturally, be
aware of breathing in, and as you
breathe out, be aware of breathing out.
Simply maintain this awareness of the
breath, breathing in and breathing out.

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-Pause for a minuteThere is no need to visualize, count, or

figure out the breath; just be mindful of
breathing in and out. Without judgment,
just watch the breath ebb and flow like
waves in the sea. Theres no place to go
and nothing else to do, just be in the
here and now, noticing the breath just
living life one inhalation and one
exhalation at a time.
-Pause for one minuteAs you breathe in and out, be mindful of
the breath rising on the inhalation and
falling on the exhalation. Just riding the
waves of the breath, moment by
moment, breathing in and breathing
out.
-Pause for one minuteFrom time to time, attention may
wander from the breath. When you
notice this, simply acknowledge where
you went and then gently bring your
attention back to the breath.
-Pause for two minutesBreathing normally and naturally,
without manipulating the breath in any
way, just be aware of the breath as it
comes and goes.

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-Pause until 15 minutes has passed-

Use this time to quietly observe the participants

and notice if they are still. It may be necessary to
repeat this:
If you find your attention wandering
from the breath. Simply acknowledge
where you went and then gently bring
your attention back to the breath.

As you come to the end of the

meditation, congratulate yourself for
taking this time to be present, realizing
that this is an act of love. May we be at
peace. May all beings be at peace.

Once the timer is complete, end the meditation by

continuing to follow the script on the left.

Slowly open your eyes and quietly bring

your attention to me.

Turn on the lights.

3. Closing group and homework assignment

Thank the group for their participation.

As a homework assignment, have the participants
journal about their experience later in the day
when they get a quiet moment back at the their
room.
Have them gather up the mats and blankets.
Pass out How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation
handout before they leave.

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Sequence Sheet

TPO

EO

Description

Session no.

Time (min.)

Opening of Group

Mindfulness Introduction

10

Mindfulness and Fly Fishing

Introduction of Video

Watch Video

Processing Questions

40

Preparation for Meditation

Formal Mindfulness Meditation Practice

15

Closing of Group and Homework Assignment

Total Time:

90 min

15

Performance*Sheet

PROGRAM:*FLY*FISHING

Staff:
Date:
Personal*Performance*

Program*Performance*

5*E*Objective*Exceeded
4*E*Objective*Met
3*E*Objective*Somewhat*Met
2*E*Objective*Not*Met

1*E*No*Participation

EO*2:

EO*1:

TPO*2:*

EO1:

EO*1:

TPO*1:

Client*Name

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