GBF River Helper Volunteers and CFR Participants

First Casting Lesson

Trying it out on the stream

Hey, this really works!

Eager to learn!

CFR Participants and Staff

Frank Stolten, Rick Radoff, Bill Carnazzo and Nancy Siegler assisting cancer survivors Joyce, Verna and Christine at the Casting For Recovery retreat.

Photo by Peg Miskin

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GBF River Helper Volunteers and CFR Participants

Frank Stolten, Rick Radoff, Bill Carnazzo and Nancy Siegler assisting cancer survivors Joyce, Verna and Christine at the Casting For Recovery retreat.

Photo by Peg Miskin

Granite Bay Flycasters will be participating in these two retreats again this year as River Helpers. There will be two retreats this year: both at Clearwater Lodge in the heart of Northern California's premier fly fishing country. If you plan to attend the Burney Fishout, then it would be a great way to finish the extended weekend on Sunday morning volunteering with CFR.

We need River Helpers for these two retreats.  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 to start at 8:00AM each Sunday morning to help the ladies with their fly-fishing. Accommodations are available at the Lodge or in nearby towns.  This is quite a day and very rewarding for the ladies as well as for each individual that helps out. 

In some years we have had several folks volunteer and then at the last minute not make it.  Our 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.  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 extraordinary, so come up early and go fishing.  It is quite a fishery.  GBF had a great turnout of volunteers last year and everyone had a terrific time.

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 Lodge at 8:00 AM Sunday.

• 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.

As soon as you decide to do either or both of these events, please call or email me so I can send you all the information.  It is our goal to have 12 river helpers there, so please call me ASAP.

Thanks!

Peg Miskin

I would like to thank those Granite Bay Flycasters who have volunteered to be a River Helpers for these up-coming retreats. We still need a few more volunteers.  If you would like to help out please give me a call or an e-mail ASAP.

 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:

• Extra Wading staffs
• 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!