A Girly Girl Goes Fly Fishing

By Debbie Seay

 

What I thought was going to be something scary (bugs, snakes, fish removal and baiting hooks) became the most beautiful experience in my life.  Mere words cannot tell you the wonderfulness of the Casting for Recovery retreat that I was blessed to participate in recently.  Casting for Recovery is a non-profit organization that pairs a group of Women Anglers with Breast Cancer Survivors, for Fly Fishing retreats in May and September.  The retreats are tailored to enhance the lives of local breast cancer survivors to promote and support mental and physical healing.

 

On May 14, 2008 my journey began as I traveled to Orkney Springs, Virginia.  From the moment you arrive, it is all about YOU!!  You just soak up the serene mountain top  filled outdoors and find your check in point and it is all awesome there.  Your group leaders (ours were from the Chesapeake Women’s Anglers along with support from other women’s Fly Fishing groups) help fit you with Hip Waders, boots, a vest and provide the retreat schedule.  Everyone arrives and you do not know it yet but you have found your new best friends and the time of your life begins.  We ate, had daily circles to chat, and we learned about the world of Fly Fishing.  There were massages, exercises, casting practice, bird watching, and much more.

 

I learned so much during the retreat.  I learned how to cast a rolling cast into the  water, how to tie knots, make lures, pop my bait to tempt a fish and leave the world of Breast Cancer behind, forgotten in the magical moments of this retreat paradise.  This is the main goal of Casting Recovery, besides teaching you all about Fly Fishing.  We had so many pictures taken of us while we were there; it felt like we were movie stars.  I never did catch a fish like some of the others did, but I overcame fear, worry, and found my world expanded to know from now on I am not a Breast Cancer survivor, but a Breast Cancer Conqueror.  So am I a Woman Angler now?  You bet, but now let me see how high I can get the bubbles for my bubble bath.  After all, this girly girl is still a girly girl!

For more information on Casting for Recovery, to apply  to participate, visit their website: www.castingforrecovery.org

 

Happy fishing Sisters and I express my heartfelt thanks to all the women who made this experience possible.