EDTU Monthly Meeting

Tue, Apr 6

Dr. Patterson (Left) and Joe Bailey at another seminar in Montana

Okay, here is the ultimate trivia question. Who sang the theme song to “Gilligan’s Island?” The answer is …(drum roll, please)…The Wellingtons. So what does this have to do with fly fishing? Well, a member of the Wellingtons, George Patterson, is one of the most devoted fly fishers you could ever find and is one of our two presenters at our next meeting. Dr. George Patterson and author/psychologist Joseph Bailey will share some of the insights they have learned while leading their retreats which combine fly fishing adventures with personal development. They have offered their fly fishing seminars at some of the most pristine locations around the world.

This duo brings humor and wisdom gleaned from their work and time as mental health professionals and organizational consultants, as well as a visual show from their seminars. These experiences are designed to help participants discover ways not only to enjoy fly fishing, but also to learn about themselves and how to become more satisfied and happy. As George and Joe put it, “Fishing the rivers, lakes and oceans becomes the therapeutic milieu…we just help people put the experience together in such a way that they can make use of it back home."

The seminar approach is simple. Dr. Patterson makes an arrangement with a lodge in a great fly fishing location. Participants pay one price for all lodging, food, fishing and guides. Everyone shows up on the appointed date and the seminars and fishing commence. Additional local activities are available for those who prefer not to fish every day. One or two seminars are held every year, with the length of each ranging from four to eight days and the number of participants limited to 15. Retreat locations have included Montana, Alaska, Chile, New Zealand, Belize, Oregon and New Mexico. The participants run the gamut – old, young, male and female, cutting across a diverse variety of professions and political persuasions. Some are experienced fly fishers, some are beginners, but by the end of each retreat everyone is in love with the sport. An added bonus of these seminars is the component of awareness training that can make them tax deductible.

Their seminars were highlighted in the recent December/January issue of Fly Rod & Reel magazine in an article called “Mind Expansion-Exploring the Therapeutic Qualities of Fly Fishing.” See the weblink below.

About our speakers:
Joseph Bailey

Joseph Bailey is a licensed psychologist, counselor, and consultant to business, government, education and health care. He is author of six books including the best selling "Slowing Down to the Speed of Life" that are in twenty-six languages. He is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fly fishing, skiing, kayaking, climbing and martial arts. He has combined his passion for the outdoors and his organizational development by leading rock climbing, winter camping, canoeing and now fly fishing retreats. He has been on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, St. Mary's University and the Psychology of Mind Training Institute. He is married and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota and his cabin in the Canadian wilderness.


George Patterson

When he was nine-years old, Dr. George Patterson began fly-fishing for bluegill and bass at the family cottage near Danville, Illinois. During his youth, music became a passion and he formed a folk singing group. After graduation from the University of Illinois, the group pursued a career in entertainment and moved to Hollywood, California. His group, The Wellingtons, were regulars on Shindig, an ABC-TV musical show. They toured for six years with Donald O’Connor, and recorded for many record companies. He returned to school and received his Ph. D. from the University of Southern California in Counseling Psychology. The journey from show business to wellness and psychology resulted in the creation of “Fly Fishing for the Mind” seminars. George is a past president of Wilderness Fly Fishers, a club in Southern California. He is a group facilitator for Reel Recovery, the charity organization that provides free fly fishing retreats for men with cancer. Although he has been the recipient of many awards and commendations for his work as a clinician… he says, "they all pale in comparison to the joy of teaching others to fly fish or landing that first bluegill on a fly!"


EDTU monthly meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month. Except for the summer months, a guest speaker will present a topic of interest, often fishing related. The social hour starts at 5:30. A free raffle of flyfishing and tying goodies, donated by our generous supporters, gives you a chance to go home with a little something extra.

The meeting is at Brehon Pub at 731 N. Wells St. There is a $25 charge to cover the cost of the food. To ensure enough food is available, we request that you advise us that you will attend. Please reserve your spot at the next meeting by clicking the "Sign Up" link on this page or by contacting Grant Brown at 312-525-4187 or
mailto:grant.brown@ubs.com

Our meetings are open to members and guests. Please feel free to join us.

Brehon Pub website

Fly Fishing for the Mind

Fly Rod and Reel Article