Casting for Recovery on the Rise in Indiana 

            You have breast cancer. Quite possibly, this is the most devastating statement a woman will ever hear. The moment the words register, fear and despair begin to pull on heartstrings. Staying positive is struggle. Thanks to Casting for Recovery, many women are finding strength through fly-fishing.

Casting for Recovery is a national non-profit fly-fishing program for women who have or have had breast cancer. The mission of CFR is to offer support and education, while providing an avenue for social interaction. To date, thousands of women have gathered together and found much needed relief from their battle with breast cancer at CFR retreats all across the country.

Anyone who has ever been touched by cancer understands how this devastating disease can turn your world upside down. Chances are you know a woman who is fighting or has survived breast cancer. You’ve witnessed her pain, all the while admiring her strength. You wish there was someway for you to understand what she’s going through, but that’s a road you have walk to truly grasp the struggle. That’s why Casting for Recovery is so powerful. These women understand each others’ emotions. They feel for one another a sense of camaraderie unattainable in any other situation.

Fly fishing is a mystery; a misunderstood art that is often mistakenly assumed difficult or elitist. In reality, it’s neither. Fly-fishing is a poetic medley of beauty, serenity, and grace resulting in moments when life becomes effortless. Fly casting’s rhythmic order frees an angler’s mind to concentrate on nature’s simple gifts of ripples on water, a slight breeze brushing your cheek, and the symphonic sound of everything becoming one.

Many women who come to Casting for Recovery events have never fly-fished before, and don’t know what to expect. I try to explain, fly-fishing is a lot like golf. The first time you “play” your not going to be good. Hopefully you’ll have enough fun though, that you’ll want to play again, and again, and again. During each “round” you progress just a little. Before you know it, you’re setting new goals and trying to master advanced techniques. But don’t worry about being good, because in the true spirit of sporting life, if you approach each day with an open mind and an appreciation for just being out-of-doors, there is no way to you can fail.

            Deb Hire of Fishers, Indiana was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. A survivor who’s now in full remission, Deb is dedicated to helping other women fight their battles against breast cancer. “I attended a CFR retreat in 2006,” Deb said. “I had been fishing my whole life, but I had never fly-fished before. Now you can hardly get me and my fly rod off the water.” She went on to say how important the women she met at CFR have become in her life. “We are like sisters,” she said. “It’s such a healing experience to spend time relaxing and reflecting with other women who truly understand what you’re going through.”

            Casting for Recovery is growing at a rapid pace. Barb Simpson is the CFR Indiana Program Coordinator. She said there were 106 women signed up for 14 spots at last year’s CFR Indiana retreat. In an attempt to offer a great time with no added stress of any kind, CFR retreats are free to participants. Funding can become a problem though. This year, thanks in large part to a generous $3,000 donation from Temple Fork Outfitters – a manufacturer of fly-fishing equipment – Indiana will be able to host two retreats. If you do the math, it remains quite apparent that CFR still won’t be able to host all the women who would like to attend a retreat in Indiana.

            Organizations are readily jumping on board, but of course more support is needed. “We are very grateful for the $3,000 check Temple Fork Outfitters presented us at the Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show,” Barb Simpson stated. TFO has been instrumental in the national success of Casting for Recovery. The company currently manufactures and markets two rods dedicated to benefiting Casting for Recovery. “Whenever one of our 8`6" 5-weight or 9’ 8-weight “Recovery” rods are purchased at an authorized dealer, TFO will make a $25 contribution to Casting for Recovery,” John Bueter, Indiana’s regional representative for Temple Fork Outfitters explained. John was sincere in adding how grateful he was for the opportunity to work for a company dedicated to supporting such an amazing organization made up of incredibly inspiring women. FlyMasters of Indianapolis and J.L. Waters of Bloomington are each authorized dealers stocking TFO Recovery rods.

            If you are a woman who has been touched by breast cancer, or are simply someone who would like to get involved with Casting for Recovery, log on to the CFR website www.castingforrecovery.org. If you’re thinking about a new rod, visit one of the above mentioned shops and take a look at the available Temple Fork Outfitters - Recovery rods. You’ll be supporting a great cause with your purchase. For more information on Temple Fork Outfitters, log on to www.templeforkflyrods.com.

See you down the trail….