St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bellville is organizing a special opportunity for men to step away from the rush of everyday life and reconnect with faith, fellowship, and the great outdoors. Pastor Jay will lead a Men’s Fly Fishing Retreat from September 16–23, 2025, set in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
The retreat will be held at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, located near the Arkansas River and North Lake Creek, a region renowned for its trout fishing and stunning natural beauty. Participants will join Pastor Jay and men from St. John’s as well as surrounding congregations for a week of spiritual renewal and outdoor adventure.
What the Trip Includes
For $775, the retreat package covers nearly every aspect of the journey, including:
- All transportation from Bellville
- Hotel stays during travel
- Retreat center accommodations
- Retreat programming with multiple pastors
- Daily devotions led by Pastor Jay
- All meals
- Fly fishing lessons
- Three full days of fishing
- Fellowship, worship, and mountain air
Optional guided fishing trips and rental gear will be available at an additional cost.
Schedule and Activities
The group will depart from St. John’s Lutheran Church on Tuesday, September 16, around noon, spending two nights on the road to Colorado. These travel days will include fellowship and faith formation opportunities along the way.
The retreat officially begins Thursday afternoon at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp, just outside Hillside, Colorado. Each day will follow a steady rhythm:
- Mornings: Breakfast, devotions, and a fishing session or lessons
- Afternoons: Open time to fish independently, with friends, or with a guide
- Evenings: Worship after sunset, followed by optional fly-tying fellowship
On Sunday, participants can take part in a friendly casting competition and enjoy one final afternoon of fishing before beginning the return journey. The group will stop for two nights on the way back to Texas, arriving home on Tuesday, September 23.
More Than Fishing
While fly fishing is a central part of the retreat, no prior experience is required. Organizers emphasize that the trip is about more than casting lines—it’s about creating space to grow in faith, deepen friendships, and experience God’s creation in a new way.
Registration Information
Only a limited number of spots are available, and interested participants are encouraged to register by August 31.
To register or learn more, visit St. John’s Lutheran Church Registration Page.
