About to air on the Outdoor Channel is an episode of “Fly Rod Chronicles” which is quite special to Curtis Fleming.

 

Running Jan. 29-31 is a show featuring the boys of Chestnut Mountain Ranch of Morgantown. Back in October, the residents of the Christ-centered home and school were surprised with a visit by Fleming and his FRC crew. In its third year of operation, the facility – located on 225 acres of rural Monongalia County countryside - houses, educates and provides quality outdoor recreation to young boys in need of hope and healing.

 

Founded by Steve Finn, the ranch is home to boys who have behavioral disorders, truancy issues or academic problems. Currently, residents are from Harrison, Marion, Monongalia and Preston Counties, but the home accepts boys from within a 90-mile radius. Their curriculum includes academic basics and outdoor recreation, such as hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing and basketball. They also learn hands-on skills, like woodworking, painting and auto repair, which can lead to career interest and/or lifelong hobbies.

 

“The boys had taken a course on the fundamentals of fly fishing and Curtis wanted to expand on that,” said Trina Tucker Cutright, Chestnut Mountain Ranch director of development. “After showing up at the ranch, he loaded the boys up for a day of fishing in Preston County.”

 

The looks on the faces of the boys – age 10 to 17 – reassured Fleming that it was all a very good idea.

 

A day out of the classroom provided a rich learning experience, Fleming said. 

 

“I believe in investing what God has given me into the lives of others, and what better way to reach a young man's heart than to take him fishing,” he said. 

 

The October filming wasn’t his first trip to the ranch. The “Fly Rod Chronicles” host and Bridgeport native first experienced the ranch when he visited several months ago.

 

“Curtis is my cousin and we reached out to him and he liked what the ranch was doing,” Cutright said. “We do a lot of outdoor stuff - and he kind of fell in love with that. When he came to visit the boys, they melted his heart.”

 

Fleming wanted to come back and film a show, focusing on the grassroots premise of the ranch.

 

“He said every kid learns to fish at an uncle’s or grandpa’s backyard stream – and that’s kind of where he took the show,” Cutright said.

 

Jarod McClure of the FRC film crew had a friend in Preston County who owns a private fishing pond. That’s where Fleming and the boys fished for the day. Conditions were absolutely ideal. 

“It was such a great place and the skies were blue and it was 68 degrees,” Cutright said. “It was October. What are the odds?”

 

The spirits of the boys were likewise bright.

 

“They were amazed – and their eyes were so big,” Cutright said. “It was really sweet. It was a really good experience for the boys and they’re all excited that it’s airing next week.”

 

Cutright is hosting a viewing party at her home so that residents and staff of the ranch can watch the show together.

 

The episode airs on The Outdoor Channel 12:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 29, 1:30 10 a.m. Fri., Jan. 30 and 5:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31.

 

Finn's vision for the ranch was inspired by his own personal experiences. Having been raised by a single mom, he grew up in need of a strong male role model. While working as an Atlanta, Ga. police officer, he encountered young teens facing severe trouble because they, too, were in need of positive role models.

 

After thorough research – and avid prayer – Finn and his wife moved into Georgia’s Eagle Ranch, the facility after which Chestnut Mountain Ranch was modeled. With hands-on experience under their belts, the couple came to West Virginia to establish a similar facility in the state where it was most needed. The land has been purchased and facilities – including a housing unit, school, barn and basketball court – were built on a debt-free basis, thanks to individual, church and corporate sponsors, including Coca Cola, the ranch's major sponsor. The financial giving continues, as does in-kind donations and volunteerism. Groups provide meals, lumber and upkeep services. Groups such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes come play ball with the boys. Partnering with the boys' families, the ranch targets restoration and reunification. 

 

"I just think it's so cool what Steve, Trina and the rest of the staff are doing at the ranch," Fleming said. "I remember how much outdoor recreation, sports and leadership meant to me while I was growing up. This is all sure to make a big difference in the lives of these boys."

 

Fleming’s involvement flows right along with the intended mechanics of Chestnut Mountain Ranch, Finn said.

 

“It’s about out-of-the-box thinking to reach these kids’ hearts,” he said. “This is not a typical school. We’re using whatever it takes – rather that’s fishing, archery or working on a hot rod – to find their interests and build on their strengths. Curtis Fleming understands that and he has used his gifts and talents to help us accomplish that goal.”

 

See the YouTube teaser of the episode below. 

 

Learn all about Chestnut Mountain Ranch here: https://chestnutmountainranch.org/

 

Fleming and his family recently moved back to his hometown of Bridgeport. He continues to travel and shoot regular episodes of the show, which airs on The Outdoor Channel each Thursday, Friday and Saturday." Visit the Fly Rod Chronicles Web site HERE.