Our First Full Season at Healing Waters Lodge
A team worth thanking, a pond full of young anglers, and a personal milestone in Kona.
A NOTE FROM STEVE
WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN
With this issue of “The Next Rise,” we bring to a close our first year of ownership and our first fly-fishing season at Healing Waters Lodge. And by all accounts, it was a very successful season. I want to thank all our guests that stayed with us this first year. I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people during the season and appreciated the loyalty that many of you have shown the lodge over the years and through several prior owners.
The People Behind the Season
As those of you who were able to visit us this year know, we have an amazing team of guides, chefs, and hospitality staff, all of whom made major contributions to our successful season. I would like to highlight and provide a special thank you to three individuals that were extraordinarily helpful to me this year.
Sara Cheuvront, our Director of Lodge Operations, stepped up in a big way by taking on new and additional responsibilities.
Jayson Reynolds, our Executive Chef, unleashed his impressive culinary skills and really enhanced our cuisine.
Last but not least, Tim Flynn, our Fishing Director, helped me immensely with the logistics of our fishing operations for both the lodge and Smith River. We are looking forward to having the entire team back for the 2025 season.
What It’s All About
As the season was winding down, we hosted two events for our team as a thank you for a great season. The first was a “bring a guest” to dinner event for the guides so that they all could experience the exceptional cuisine that they heard our guests talking about all year. It was a wonderful evening of conversation and great food.
The second event we hosted was a family day for our entire team with food, beverages, and a fishing derby on the lodge’s trout pond for all the kids. We put up an Orvis Clearwater rod and reel as a prize for the most fish caught. I don’t think there has ever been a better use for our trout pond! I walked around the pond for the hour of the fishing derby in utter amazement as I remembered how much joy is generated by kids catching fish. It was truly heartwarming to watch our group of kids and their parents during the friendly “competition”. The youthful joy of catching a fish and sharing the experience with family and friends; that is what it’s all about.
A Personal Reflection
This last year has been an amazing blessing as I have been able to experience two major goals that I had set for myself. The first is the successful first year of my “Second Act” here at Healing Waters Lodge, which has allowed me to pursue my passion for fly-fishing and the outdoors. This year has been everything I had hoped it would be, in large part to the great team we have, and the support of my family.
The second is related to my passion for triathlons, particularly Ironman races. I have been trying to get to the World Championships in Hawaii since 2010 and, this October, I was able to race in, and finish the event. What an amazing experience it was to be in Kona, HI with 2,400 participants representing over 70 countries. What made it even more special was having my life-partner Sheila, daughters Jessica and Rachel, son-in-law Ben, and grandsons Ev and Liam, share the experience.
As a “mature athlete” I feel very blessed to be able to continue to compete even though it has become less about winning and more about enjoying the experience and sharing the journey. I hope you all have passions that you enjoy and are similarly blessed as I have been.
Until the next rise,
Steve Mackey & The Healing Waters Lodge Team
TRIP PLANNING
Share the Water with Your Family
The pond story is a reminder that a memorable fishing day does not have to be complicated. If you’re planning a trip with a young angler, our Youth Fly Fishing Program page explains the current age requirements, adult pairing, and session details.