Newsletters from our Executive Director, Lori Simon, as well as our seasonal “TherapyFish News” are now archived on our website.

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The Montana Outfitters and Guides Association  (MOGA) recent membership banquet was the occasion for an outpouring of support for Casting for Recovery.

CFR Volunteer Alice Golden and Mac Minard, Executive Director of MOGA

The organization has named Casting for Recovery as one of the four charities they will be supporting through their “Big Hearts under the Big Sky” program, in which member outfitters provide high-quality outdoor trips, at no charge, to benefit those who have provided extraordinary military service and those who face the challenges of a life-threatening illness.

We’re pleased to report that Casting for Recovery’s mission and history is highlighted in  the story “Giving Back”, the lead-in of the ShortCasts feature in Fly Rod & Reel’s newly re-designed March 2010 issue.

You can read the complete story in  this leading fly-fishing magazine here.

Bonnie Holding, Casting for Recovery – Maine volunteer planning coordinator, reports that the 11th annual “Fish Tales & Cocktails” fundraiser for Casting for Recovery was “the best ever!! We had more people than ever, more items than ever and made more money than ever!!!”

Over 100 happy participants at the 11th Fish Tales & Cocktails

The event is usually held in Bonnie’s gallery-Gold/Smith Gallery-at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, but this year the event moved into a bigger space in the Sugarloaf Hotel. Bonnie says “that was the smartest move ever! Well over a hundred people attended this great event and there was buzz on the mountain (Sugarloaf ski area) the next day with people saying they had a great time! Over $9,000 was raised and that is a record for this small fund raiser!”

All of us at Casting for Recovery extend our warmest thanks to all that volunteered their time and energy to this, to all that solicited items for the auction and to all that participated!

Casting for Recovery – East Tennessee volunteers  initiated their first past-participant casting class in early January, which is being taught free of charge to the ladies. Lindsay Long, program coordinator, reports “We have a full class  of 9  and a waiting list for future classes if our wonderful instructor Drew Still  is willing.  Drew wants each woman to practice or focus on the gifts of the spirit – peace, patience, goodness and kindness – when on the stream.”

CFR Alumni Get Casting Tips

Lindsay adds “Drew certainly has an abundance of patience because these ladies are excited and just love to have fun – you can hear their laughter and the joy in their conversations as we practice.” You can read more about Casting for Recovery in East Tennessee here.

The first annual “Bunco for Boobs” event to support the Casting for Recovery east Tennessee program was held on November 13 at the Gettysvue Golf and Polo Club in Knoxville, TN.  Lindsay Long, program coordinator for the volunteer team coordinating the event, reported that a good time was held by all – and over $6500 was raised to help Casting for Recovery provide services to women at any age or stage of treatment and recovery from breast cancer!

Laura and Alma Celebrate Bunco

Past participants in the Casting for Recovery program participated in the October 24, 2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Knoxville, TN.  Pictured below are Mary (2008 TN), Pam (2008 TN), and Debbie (2007 TN) – in back row.  Lindsay (2006 NC), Teresa (2007 TN), and Linda (2007 TN) are in the front row. As the smiles show,  all enjoyed a day of remembering their Casting for Recovery retreat experiences!

Gail, Doris, Barb, Lindsay and Laura at the Orvis store.

Volunteers from the Rocky Top Chapter of the Women Marines reported for duty at the Orvis store in Sevierville, TN on December 12th in order to help out the Casting for Recovery – East Tennessee program.  The gift wrapping day had been set up to benefit CFR, and Lindsay Long, Program Coordinator, made the following report: “Just as there is a special bond between sister breast cancer survivors there is a bond between Marines, especially women Marines as they are indeed “The Fewer, The Prouder, The Women Marines”.  Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful is more than just a motto – when the call for help is sent out, the Marines come without question.  I did not have enough volunteers for the ORVIS event because of the Christmas season so I put a call out to the Women Marines and I had four volunteers there ready to work.”

Each year, the Anadarko Fishing Tournament selects one non-profit organization to be the beneficiary of their annual bass fishing tournament, “Fishing for a Cause”. This year, the tournament committee selected the Casting for Recovery – Texas program after learning about it from Paul and Gail Sparks.

On October 2-3, the 21st Annual Anadarko Fishing Tournament was held at Lake Sam Rayburn, 150 miles northeast of Houston. Austinite and Casting for Recovery alumna Marlenia Richardson was one of the participating anglers.

The tournament raised $12,185 for the Texas program! Many thanks to the APC Fishing Tournament committee and everyone who participated in this great event.

A benefit on behalf of the Texas CFR program featuring a premiere of the fly-fishing film, RISE, a Confluence Films Production, was held at the Dobie Theater in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, Dec. 8th.

(left to right) TFO representative and outfitter, Banning Collins and Fly Fish Chick Christine Johnson (AKA Team Paddlefish), along with adventure photographer and author Tosh Brown.

The two-hour mixer, which also featured a raffle drawing and silent auction, was attended by more than 125 people. Representatives from the fly-fishing industry, fly shops and area fly-fishing clubs were on hand to chat about fishing, products, events, and of course, the Casting for Recovery program!  Past participants were also on hand to talk about the personal impact of CFR as the excitement built before, during, and after the showing:  the night  raised approximately $1,800 for the CFR Texas program! Congratulations and thanks to all!

As Casting for Recovery prepares for the New Year, we celebrate the event by announcing the publication of a special brochure designed to highlight the incredible “Ripple Effect” that Casting for Recovery has had on the lives of women, families, and communities–one women at a time.

As we head into a new year of service  the publication of our new “Ripple Effect” brochure publicizes the impact that Casting for Recovery has nationwide, and highlights the power of our grass-roots volunteer program.  The Ripple Effect brochure is available as a pdf download for your reading pleasure.

We extend thanks to our friends at a family foundation for underwriting this  piece and to the creative design firm for their pro-bono creative work.

Photography was provided for this project by the generosity of  Barry and Cathy Beck,  KimSingerPhotography.com, Susan Gaetz, Fred Stevens, and Val Atkinson.

“Ripple Effect” brochure Copyright 2009 by Casting for Recovery.

Casting for Recovery volunteers from all over the Northeast – including Long Island,  Maine, and New Jersey,  traveled to the International Fly Tying Symposium held in Somerset, NJ on November 21st and 22nd. The roster of volunteers included those who devote their volunteer time and talents in many capacities to women in recovery from breast cancer – including River Helpers, alumni, Program Coordinators, fly fishers who tie flies for retreats across the Northeast, and many more.  One group of volunteers from the South Jersey program is shown below.

Volunteers with CFR-South Jersey staff a booth at the show

Casting for Recovery’s East Tennessee Program Coordinator, Lindsay Long, is proud to announce that the ATLC-Oak Ridge Operations and the IBEW-Local 760 have both stepped forward to donate to support the Casting for Recovery program.  “I am proud to say that these are the first union locals to show formal support for the Casting for Recovery program.” Lindsay noted, “Not only will this financial contribution help the women of East Tennessee, but I know it will encourage other union members to help their Sister Union Members, and their wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends through support of Casting for Recovery in their communities.”

CFR Program Coordinator Lindsay Long accepting check from ATLC President Garry Whitley

Celebrating over ten years serving women, the volunteers of Vermont and New Hampshire have just launched a Facebook page to help past participants and volunteers to keep connected.

The participant group from the Stowe, Vermont 2009 CFR Retreat

The Colorado Casting for Recovery program celebrated the completion of another successful season of retreats by the publication of their Fall 2009 newsletter.  Casting for Recovery’s served women from the mid-30s to the late 70s in three retreats held in May and in September, and spread the word by outreach  at the Denver Fly Fishing show, the Denver International Sportsman’s Expo, Bass Pro Shop’s Spring Fly Fishing Classic, Orvis Days at the Orvis Cherry Creek store, and the Western Sportsman’s Expo in Colorado springs, as well as helping to staff the national Casting for Recovery booth at the International Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver.  A chance to “read all about” the Colorado team’s activities is available here.

CFR Volunteer and fly-fishing instructor Kiki Galvan,  CFR Board Trustee Dory Shipley, Executive Director Lori Simon and Communications Director Kate Fox from the national office spent October 20th at the Tide Point headquarters of Under Armour helping to celebrate “Pink Week” — a week of activities scheduled to highlight breast cancer awareness, part of the Under Armour “Power in Pink” commitment.  In a continuing show of support for Casting for Recovery’s mission interested Under Armour employees gathered during the day to learn the basics of fly-casting, the benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors, and to learn first-hand the positive impact that CFR has on breast cancer survivor quality of life.

CFR Makes "Pink Week" Presentation to Under Armour

The Arizona Game & Fish Department recently featured a segment on the Casting for Recovery program in Arizona on their program “Arizona Wildlife Views”, hosted by Jim Harker.

Casting for Recovery Northern California alumna and volunteer Susan Dotto has been recognized by Cleavage Creek Cellars, a winemaker that donates 10% of their gross proceeds to breast cancer treatment and support, as one of the six “2009 Women of Cleavage Creek”.  Cleavage Creek owner Budge Brown honors his wife’s battle with breast cancer through the sale of six wines produced in this Napa Valley winery.  “When people learn about Cleavage Creek and the motivation behind it, well, if it reminds one person to go for a checkup, do a self-examination, or become more informed, we’re accomplishing my goal of saving lives.”  Check out Susan’s story on the Cleavage Creek website.

Two lucky participants from the 2009 N. California retreats each received a scholarship to the Becoming an Outdoor Woman (B.O.W.) program donated by Stan Oken, owner of Wonder Valley Ranch and Resort where this year’s program takes place.  Susan Herrgesell, President of the California BOW program announced that the lucky winners – selected at random at the two CFR Northern California retreats -  will attend a multi-course workshop October 23-25.

Dody Virag receiving her scholarship from Retreat Leader, Ilene Hirsh

Judy Sheldon receiving scholarship from Volunteer Retreat Leader Pam Gutman

Sherrie Feickert, Peg Miskin, Franziska Weiland at CFR Retreat

Casting for Recovery New Zealand will be launching their first retreat February 2010 in Rotorua.  Sherrie Feickert, Executive Director of  New Zealand CFR and Franziska Wieland, medical facilitator and fly fishing instructor, attended the  August 21, 2009 Northern California retreat to experience and take in a working retreat held at Clearwater Lodge near Fall River Mills, California.  The “Kiwi girls” as they were affectionately named,  immersed themselves in the retreat experience and learned first hand what the CFR retreat experience is all about.  They brought a wonderful and special touch to the retreat!  Peg Miskin, N. California Program Coordinator who has been providing training and mentoring for the NZ program on behalf of CFR,  will be traveling to New Zealand to co-lead the first retreat with Sherrie Feickert.  Sally Stoner, a FFF certified casting instructor and member of the California and Nevada  CFR teams, will also be traveling to NZ to lead the fly fishing portion of the program and deliver a casting clinic to the NZ team members before the retreat. The NZ program has arranged to cover air fare for both Peg and Sally.   Sherrie Feickert wrote back to the Northern Caifornia team days after arriving home in Rotorua:  “I feel profoundly blessed to have met you and to have shared a slice of CFR life with you and those amazing women.  So many things to do!  I have to thank you for so many precious memories and experiences I now have in my heart .   They have come home with me to begin our program here in NZ. Kia Ora (Maori for “be well and healthy” aka “hi”).”

The CFR team of Sherrie and Fran was also interviewed on a New Zealand radio program called Hooked on Fly Fishing, hosted by Colin Shepherd. Click here for a link to the program archive.

Charles Gauvin accepts presentation from Lori Simon.

The long-time relationship between Trout Unlimited and Casting for Recovery was celebrated at the 50th Anniversary Meeting of TU, held in Traverse City, MI.  CFR Executive Director Lori Simon presented Charles Gauvin, President of Trout Unlimited, with a “Trout Mandala” original print in recognition of the Anniversary celebration and of Trout Unlimited’s support for the Casting for Recovery program. Lori honored the depth and strength of support provided during the thirteen years of CFR’s history from the TU national office, Chapters, Councils, and members who have contributed financially as well as given many hours of volunteer service.  “The “human conservation” that TU supports when they support the CFR program is of immeasurable importance to the lives of women in recovery from breast cancer.”

Event organizer Palmer Simpson (left) and 1st Place, Boat Open Species Div. (15.5 inch trout) & Top Woman Angler winner Pat Wiggins.

The Texas coast was the site for the first annual Lydia Ann Fly Masters tournament on Saturday, July 18th in Aransas Pass. The tournament – held for both boaters and kayakers – was organized by Palmer Simpson of Lighthouse Fly Fishing Co. with the support of the Alamo Fly Fishers (San Antonio) and all of the proceeds  were designated for Casting for Recovery’s program in Texas.  By tournament day 55 anglers had registered, resulting in  a donation of more than $5,000 to support CFR Texas retreats! For more information, and tournament results, visit the tournament website.

Palmer Simpson (L) and 1st Place, Kayak Redfish Div. (22.5 inch) and 1st Place Kayak Open Species Div. (20.5 inch Black Drum) winner Todd Fleming.

As of July 28, 2009,  twenty-one of the forty-two Casting for Recovery retreats have already taken place. That number represents one more than ALL the retreats that took place back in 2002 – indicating how Casting for Recovery has been growing to meet the demand nationwide.

Casting for Recovery was also proud to be recognized by M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, who sent a personal letter of encouragement to the attendees of the CFR-Connecticut retreat.

One of a group of happy 2009 CFR Participants (first 2009 North Carolina retreat)

Under the leadership of Walt Geryk and Keith Collins  the “Deerfield River Spey Day to benefit Casting for Recovery” was a rousing success, raising over $700 for CFR’s Massachusetts program. The day’s events included personalized instructional seminars, raffles and auctions of items like an Orvis Helios rod, a TFO fly reel, Jim Teeny lines, and a Grand Lake Stream vacation for two, and plenty of fun.  Thanks to our friends at the Northeast Fly Fishing and Spey Fishing Guide Service for their support!

Over 50 women and men gathered at the ninth annual “Poontangle” celebration in the Florida Keys the last weekend in May.  This event is not only a gathering of friends and fellow fisherpeople, it’s a benefit whose charity of choice is Casting for Recovery. This year the raffle and silent auction proceeds from these generous friends netted over $2,700 to help support Casting for Recovery’s mission, thanks to donations from companies like Temple Fork Outfitters, Abel, Cabelas, Cliff Outdoors, Fishient, G. Loomis, Islander Reels, Royal Wulff, Scientific Anglers, Simms, and many more.  Here’s a picture of some attendees at the event, and you can find more photos or learn about the event donors by visiting the Poontangle website or the Fly Fisherman forum on the this site.

Poontangle friends 'fishing pink' for CFR!