BIG SKY — Casting for Recovery is a healing program for breast cancer survivors that connects women with the outdoors through fly fishing retreats.
Recently, Casting for Recovery held a retreat in Big Sky, just steps away from the Gallatin River.
“When the program was started it was started by a reconstructive surgeon who thought the motions of fly fishing would be very therapeutic for women with breast cancer,” said Terri Hogan, the retreat leader for Casting for Recovery.
Therapeutic — both physically and emotionally.
Casting for Recovery started in 1996 for breast cancer survivors of any age, in any stage and any point in their treatment.
The organization has a nationwide presence and has helped connect and empower more than 8,000 women with the outdoors through the sport of fly fishing.
“They come from all over Montana. They’ve all had different experiences, we’ve all been able to share our experiences and so it’s been very valuable,” said Mary Lynch, a participant at the retreat.
This year, 14 breast cancer survivors from across Montana gathered at the 320 Ranch in Big Sky for the retreat.
By the end of the weekend, the women were putting their new angling skills to test on one of the most picturesque rivers in all of America.
Libby Child is a breast cancer survivor and traveled from Bozeman after being selected to attend the three-day long retreat.
“Getting to be together with women who have experienced some of the same things that I’ve gone through having breast cancer, it’s just been really comforting, as well as strengthening,” said Child.
Casting for Recovery is made possible thanks to volunteers who travel from across the state to help guide the new anglers and provide support on the river.
The organization takes care of all the costs of the retreat and even sends women home with their own rod.
“I’m super grateful. That’s one of the things I keep feeling overwhelmed by, gratefulness,” said Child. “Just because of all of the volunteers that have participated but also all of the women that have participated. It just brings a new strength to me as well as just a lot of gratefulness.”
You can learn more about how to donate to Casting for Recovery at https://castingforrecovery.org/
