We could say of many Montanans what Norman Maclean, author of “A River Runs Through It,” said about his family, I think, “In my family there was no clear line between fly fishing and religion.” It’s definitely more than just a sport. It can be a very healing event.
This is what breast reconstruction surgeon Dr. Benita Walton and professional flyfisher Gwenn Perkins Bogart realized over 22 years ago when they founded Casting for Recovery, a non-profit organization headquartered in Manchester, Vermont, based on an innovative program focusing on improving the quality of life for women with breast cancer.
Casting for Recovery (CfR) provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer, at no cost to the participants. The retreats offer opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life, and experience healing connections with other women and nature. The retreats are open to women with breast cancer of all ages, in all stages of treatment and recovery.
The healing program is unique. For women who have had surgery or radiation as part of their breast cancer treatment, the gentle motion of fly casting can be good physical therapy for increasing mobility in the arm and upper body. Couple that with the emotional benefits of connecting with nature, and you’ve got powerful medicine.
The organization currently offers 60 retreats across the country, serving 800+ women each year. To date 8,000+ women have been served. CfR relies on the support of more than 1,600 volunteers nationwide, including medical and psychosocial professionals, fly fishing instructors and alumnae.
Given that fly fishing has so much to do with it, it’s not surprising that the organization should end up moving its headquarters to Bozeman, Montana as it recently did. Nor is it surprising that the Bitterroot Valley has become the home of its national fundraising event: Cast One for Hope.
Peg Miskin of Hamilton has been a member of Casting for Recovery for 14 years. Miskin said that the organization launched a Western Montana program in 2011 and that women from Ravalli County have attended every year. This past March they had 35 applicants from Western Montana and six of those were from Ravalli County. Participants were chosen by random selection and two turned out to be from Ravalli County.
A kick-off Party for the Cast One for Hope event is scheduled to take place at Flying Horse MT in Corvallis on Friday, September 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. It is a casual reception open to anglers, guests, and local community members. The evening will include delicious edibles, local spirits, and music. Kick-off Party tickets are $40.
The following day, Saturday, September 29, is the Single-Fly Event and Celebration Dinner. The full-day guided drift begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes a catered lunch. It’s an opportunity to fish pristine Montana water with elite, professional guides, two anglers per boat, limited to 32 anglers. The Celebration Dinner and Auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a gourmet dinner and wine pairings at Flying Horse MT. The evening will include live and silent auction, awards presentation and live music. Fly fishing entry is $1100 per angler and includes both Friday and Saturday evening events. Dinner-only tickets, $100. Local community members and CfR supporters are encouraged to attend.
Discounted event tickets and fishing entry are available for CfR volunteers, alumnae and members of Sisters on the Fly. The Cast One for Hope live and silent auctions will feature everything from custom jewelry to bucket-list fly fishing trips. Tickets may be purchased and more information obtained online at https://castingforrecovery.org/events/cast-one-for-hope/
Local fishing guide Jenny West has donated her services to the organization for the last four years. She said that the fundraising event brings in people from all over the country and is an economic boost to the county.
“I got involved because I know what fly fishing does for me,” said West. “I call it my control/alt/delete. It soothes my soul. And that’s what these people need.” She said releasing a trout that you have caught can be a poignant moment and for some it can be a bridge to how they feel about cancer.