The mission of Casting for Recovery® (CFR) is to provide fly-fishing retreats specifically tailored for women who have or have had breast cancer.  We seek to enhance the lives of breast cancer survivors by providing retreats designed to promote and support mental and physical healing.  We are committed to socioeconomic and cultural diversity. 

The two-and-a-half day retreat is offered at no cost to the participants.

The retreat incorporates both fly-fishing instruction and social support, ending with a half day of guided catch-and-release fly-fishing.

§  Focus is on wellness as opposed to illness, empowerment as opposed to helplessness

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14 participants and up to 20 alternates are selected at random from the applicant pool (based on service area) to attend each retreat.

A volunteer planning team, such as the Music City Fly Girls, coordinates the CFR Program in their area.

The national office oversees financial, promotional, and registration processes, coordinates participant information, and manages and trains the volunteer base.

At least one medical professional, one psychosocial counselor, and four fly-fishing instructors trained specifically for the Casting for Recovery Program staff each retreat.

Participants range in age from 26 to 90 and are from many socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. 

The program is appropriate for women in all stages of treatment and recovery, and various stages of emotional adaptation to breast cancer.