Casting for Recovery

May 03, 2015

The last weekend in April saw Owen River Lodge open its doors for the annual Casting For Recovery South Island retreat. It’s the third time we’ve hosted this very special event.

Casting For Recovery offers retreats free of charge to people who have, or have had, breast cancer. Participants get to take some time out, be pampered, have fun and, of course, learn how to fly fish!

There are physical benefits from the action of casting but being out in beautiful, peaceful surroundings and living completely in the moment with each cast, can help heal the mind and soul.

The 10 women who came along this year were a lively bunch, especially on the Saturday night when there was singing, dancing and even a bit of moon-walking.

Especially notable was how determined many of women were to master the basics of fly fishing.

One in particular (yes, we’re talking about you, Christine) was out practising her casts every minute she could get; she was dead set on bagging herself a big brown.

Over the course of the weekend, there was a fly-tying demonstration, a casting coaching session out on the grass and well-being activities including massage.

There was also a little more practice for people who wanted it (that would be you again, Christine).

On Sunday morning the volunteer fishing guides arrived. Each was paired up with one of the women to give one-on-one assistance during the fishing.

It was an overcast day with heavy rain forecast from midday – not ideal but no-one was going to let a little precipitation get in the way of a chance to catch a wild brown trout.

It was incredible to see how amped everyone was when they returned from three hours out on the water – guides as well as the women.

There were a few stories of near-misses but Jane from Blenheim topped them all with pictures of her 4lb brown (the weekend is strictly catch-and-release).


Many of the women said they wanted to continue fly fishing – great news!

It was an uplifting, inspiring weekend for everyone involved, including the dedicated volunteers who made it possible and our own people here at Owen River Lodge.

The Casting for Recovery motto is, “To fish is to hope” and we’re very proud of the part that the lodge played to support this hopeful, life-affirming event.

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