Whether it's the illness itself or the fear and grief that accompanies the illness, cancer sets you back.
But leave it to women in the Adirondacks to leave their cancer behind and go outside.
At a recent Casting for Recovery retreat in Lake George, 14 participants did just that — trading emphasis on illness and medical regimens for the simplicity and grace of the fly rod. The event Aug. 13 to 15 took place at the Wiawaka Holiday House, a unique facility with a long history of providing safe haven for women.
Casting for Recovery was started by a breast cancer surgeon who teamed up with the wife of the CEO of Orvis Outfitters to promote the benefits of catching fish and the gentle, healing affects of being on the river. The arm action of casting is the perfect motion to gently exercise joints and tissues affected by breast cancer and the habitat of trout is the perfect setting to relax stress-worn hearts.
The fly-fishing community has backed Casting for Recovery in countless ways. The weekend is offered at no cost thanks to generous corporate and individual donors. All equipment including vests, waders, rods, lines, and flies are provided to the participants for use over the weekend by fly-fishing businesses and individuals who want to support the cause. Instructors for the retreat are volunteers and those at Wiawaka included some renowned outdoorswomen from across New York state. Nancy Murphy of the Hungry Trout in Wilmington and Jan Opal from Plattsburgh joined others from Ithaca, Binghamton and Saratoga.
Interspersed with fly fishing, the retreat staff takes time to lead conversations on medical and emotional issues. One participant noted that she doesn't focus on being a breast cancer survivor as much as she used to but she's always wanted to fly fish. What she needed was a place to learn among women who would be non-judgmental and patient. Other participants came not knowing if they'd even like fly fishing — they just needed to try something new and be with other women who'd understand the worries they've been living with. The group in Lake George included breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed and treated over 10 years ago, as well as women still managing the side effects of recent treatment.
Participants and instructors spent Saturday morning on the front lawn alternating instruction and practice. It is a thing of beauty to see a field of women all gently arcing fly line time after time after time. After the introductory practice, the day continued with classes on knot tying, fish habitat, fly hatches, stream conservation and landing the fish you catch. Each participant received a notebook that covered advanced topics involving river currents, optimal temperature and care of fly-fishing gear. On Sunday, the participants got in the water to get the feel of the waders and practice casting in realistic conditions.
Fly fishing has few physical barriers regardless of your age or body type and can relieve stress whether you catch a fish or not. The water brings together the angler needing time outdoors, the line that has its own motion and magic, and the fish who teaches the world about patience and the pursuit of new experiences.
Long live the streams around us, full of healthy fish and healthy women.
Elizabeth Lee is a licensed guide who lives in Westport. She leads recreational and educational programs focused in the Champlain Valley throughout the year. Contact her at lakeside5047@gmail.com.
