Casting For Recovery

 www.castingforrecovery.org

Sunday, August 6, 2006

Nancy Siegler, President, Ladybugs Fly-Fishing Club

http://www.theladybugs.com

I just received the list for the Casting for Recovery Retreats for 2006.  Our club and Granite Bay Flycasters will be participating in the retreat that will be held at the Pit River Lodge.

The dates are August 4 - 6.  We need river helpers for Sunday, August 6^th.  The earlier you sign up, the easier it is for the staff to move on to other issues for holding this retreat. You pretty much have to come up the night before to be ready in the early morning to help the ladies with their fly-fishing. Accommodations are available at the Pit River Lodge or at the Shasta Pines motel in nearby Burley, CA.  I can tell you from experience that this is quite a day and very rewarding for the ladies as well as for each individual that helps out. 

Last year we had several folks volunteer and at the last minute some did not make it.  My only requirement is that if you sign up, please keep your promise.  These ladies are depending on us to be there to help them.  We are in a very remote area and can’t get any replacements at the last minute.  We try to make it one-on-one if possible.  Last year some of us had to take 2 or 3 ladies.  We may also fish at a nearby lake if the river conditions warrant.

Unfortunately, we can’t pay you to do this, so it can cost you gas, time and lodging, but it is really worth it.  Remember the fly-fishing in this area can be very good, so come up early and go fishing.  If you want to float the Fall River, let me know, and I can set you up with a guide.  It is quite a fishery.  I fished it for the first time last year and had a ball.

Requirements:

• You have to be at least an Intermediate skill level Fly Fisherman.

• You have to sign the river helper form from CFR.

• You need to bring only yourself and your normal fly-fishing gear.

• You have to be ready to go fly-fishing at the Pit River Lodge at 8:30 AM on August 6^th.

• If you have an extra wading staff, please bring it along to help out with your lady’s wading experience.

• You are invited after the fishing to enjoy a nice lunch at the lodge with the ladies.

Please know that they will think the world of you after the fishing and want to continue with questions about fly-fishing and about you.

I know the date is a long ways away, but as soon as you decide to do this event, please call or email me so I can send you all the information.  It is our goal to have 12 river helpers there.  So far I have only 2.

Thanks so much.

Nancy Siegler

President

Ladybugs Fly-Fishing Club

Email: fishen@directcon.net

Phone: 530.677.6034

The Casting for Recovery Web Site:   www.castingforrecovery.org

I would like to thank those Granite Bay Flycasters Members who have so kindly volunteered to be a river helper for our up-coming retreat this August. We could still use a few more volunteers. If you would like to help out please give me an e-mail at fishen@directcon.net or call me at (530) 677-6034

 What is Casting for Recovery?

Casting for Recovery is a national non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer.

We provide an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by the disease to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life." Just as importantly, we offer an opportunity to meet new friends and have fun.

Our weekend retreats incorporate counseling, educational services and the sport of fly-fishing to promote mental and physical healing.

Founded in 1996, Casting for Recovery has been offering free retreats across the country. We rely on local volunteers and organizations to support our community based retreats.

 Why fly fishing and breast cancer?

To Fish is to Hope ©

The retreats provide an avenue for social support and group interactions, reducing the feeling of isolation many survivors might have.

The dynamics of fly-fishing provide a healing connection to the natural world, relieving everyday stressors and promoting a sense of calm.

Fly fishing techniques provide a gentle exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility.

The retreats offer a forum for women with similar experiences to meet, learn a new skill and gain a respite from their everyday concerns.

What we do

Casting for Recovery provides weekend retreats at no cost to the participants including lodging, meals and professional instruction.

Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their physicians).

Trained facilitators staff each retreat including: a psychotherapist, a health care professional (e.g. physical therapist, nurse), and four fly fishing instructors.

“River Helper”

Job Description

 As a  “River Helper” you must:

• be an experienced fly fisher.

• dress in full fishing guide attire.
• be familiar with the program.
• complete a volunteer application.

River Helpers may be partnered with a CFR fly fishing instructor to assist with the individuals that are assigned to them, or be asked to guide no more than two individuals.

Most of the participants in this program are beginners with very little casting experience.  The women are equipped with a rod, reel, breathable waders, and a vest.  The vest is loaded with 7 ½ foot 4X leaders, a spool of 5X tippet material, nippers, forceps, floatant, strike putty, and sink putty.  CFR has an assortment of flies for their use.  They have been taught a fly to tippet knot (clinch) and a tippet to leader knot (surgeon’s).  They also had a short presentation on the trout’s diet and behavior.  There will be an on-stream demonstration of moving water techniques before the guided fishing begins. 

Items that may be helpful to bring along if you have them:

• Wading staff
• Assortment of flies
• Catch and release net
• Spare polarized sunglasses

You are not required to bring a rod, but if you do, it should not be longer than 8 ½ feet or heavier than a 5 wt. 

There will be a central gathering point set up where you should check-in when you are through fishing.  Located in this area will be a comfortable resting spot, snacks, beverages, first aid kit, and emergency assistance.

Things to remember:

• The women are beginners.
• Teach in the positive.
• Pinch down the barbs on all flies.
• Give them the opportunity to do things for themselves.  Offer your assistance, but don’t automatically do everything for them.
• Generally, the women need to be given some “space.”  Time to be alone on the river and experience the sights and sounds.
• Seek immediate treatment for sunburn, insect bites, and hooks in body parts.
• Although we all want our “students” to catch a fish, take the time to find out what it is that they would most like to get from this experience.  Sometimes they are just as content practicing their casting with only a piece of yarn. 
• Be SAFE and HAVE FUN!