SCROLL DOWN TO THE HIGHLIGHTED TEXT AND FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP.
Once again the fly fishing community is closing ranks to take care of one of its own. Tiffany Johnson, the wife of local fly fishing guide Chad Johnson, was diagnosed with invasive Meningioma tumors. One of them was on her spinal cord and several are on her brain.
She has been in intensive care or acute therapy since the Monday before Christmas. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor from her spinal cord. Tiffany spent almost 9 hours on the operating table to remove the six inch tumor from her spine. Several sections of vertebrae were removed to allow the neurosurgeons access, which were then able to remove the tumor, of which, three inches was entwined in her spinal column. Needless to say, after this type of surgery, it has taken some time for Tiffany to recover.
She is paralyzed from the waist down and has limited movement and feeling on her left side. This surgery is so rare that we are told less than 100 have been performed worldwide. She will be hospitalized for quite a while. Tiffany will then face a further six months to eight of painful physical therapy in order to regain the ability to walk with the aid of a walker and twelve to fourteen months of therapy before she can walk unassisted.
She also has to endure further surgery to remove the brain tumors. Luckily all tumors are benign. She will require home care for some time and Chad has recently moved to a new home that is wheelchair accessible to prepare for Tiffany’s return from the hospital. The family is encountering a mountain of medical bills and has no health insurance. In order to help these folks, Mountain River Fly Shop and the Swallow’s Nest Fly Tyers (a local fly tying group) has banded together to put on a fund raiser to benefit Tiffany and Chad. On January 23, 2010 they will host a Charity Tye A Thon with all of the proceeds going to the Tiffany Johnson Benefit Fund. The event will run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Mountain River Fly Shop at 1200 Main St #7 (US Highway 62) in Cotter, Arkansas.
You may ask, what is a Tye A Thon? It is a fundraiser based on fly tying. They have solicited flies from a host of noted tyers to include Dave Whitlock, Charles Jardine, Kelly Galloup, Bob Clouser, Hans Weilman, April Vokey, Charlie Craven, Ken Burkholder, Cary Marcus, Mike Kinney, Dave Cornue, Ben Levin and Duane Hada. In addition, local tyers such as Davy Wotton, Theresa Van Winkle (T-Bird), and me will be on hand tying our better known patterns during the event. Each tier has been requested to tie three identical flies that are put into a prize pool. Many of the tyers (including myself) will tie multiple sets.
Some of these flies are suitable for framing and others beg to be fished. All are highly desirable. There will be a raffle. The grand prize is to be two flies from each of the sets donated. The second and third prizes will divide the other flies tied. Tickets for the Raffle are on sale in the shop for five dollars each or three for ten dollars.
They are expecting first prize to be worth several hundred dollars at retail value. You can also participate by buying raffle tickets through the mail. Send checks with your name and address made out to the Tiffany Johnson Benefit Fund. Please include a note that these are for the Fly Raffle. Send the checks to: TJBF Raffle in care of Mountain River Fly Shop 1200 West Main No 7 Cotter, AR 72626. Any tier wishing to donate flies can do so. You are asked to submit flies to the Raffle in sets of 3 identical flies (same type, pattern and color). Each fly should be accompanied by a card containing the fly name, the tier’s name and signature. Commercial tiers, guides and other fishing professionals should include business cards so that they can let people know who the good folks in the industry are.
They will accept larger quantities of flies, in dozens or half-dozens, which will be put towards an online charity auction later in the month. Other particularly valuable or collectible flies, like full-dress salmon flies or bass bugs can be donated to the auction. The goal is to use these flies in such a way as to maximize the returns for Chad and Tiffany. Send your flies to Mountain River Fly Shop.
If you want to participate directly they still have spots available for the Tye-A-Thon on January 23. They are scheduling tiers for the main tying area in 3 hour shifts; please indicate whether you want to tie in the morning, afternoon or evening. You must bring your own materials, vise and lamp. They should have enough tables however, if you plan to spend the whole day tying, you might be advised to bring a table as well. If you wish to tie you can email Mark Romero (
[email protected]) or Steve Dally (
[email protected]). Please include your name, telephone number, email address, and the time you wish to tie.
In order to keep the tiers and any guests going, many tiers are going to bring food plates. They have already lined up two pots of good chili and a load of other goodies. My wife Lori is baking up some of her famous chocolate chip cookies and brownies. If you would like to help in this regard, it would be appreciated.
If you want to drop in and watch these tiers and lend your support to the project, you are cordially invited to stop by at any time. Buy some raffle tickets. You may end up with some great flies and help Chad and Tiffany out at the same time. Tiffany is working hard in therapy to try to make the tye-a-thon. I know that I will be there.
