Field Day

Casting for Recovery provides fly fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland.

They take place over two-and-a-half days and all accommodation, meals, counselling, and professional instruction are provided at no cost to participants due to the financial backing of the Countryside Alliance, although Anne Voss-Bark, owner of the Arundell Arms, generously the retreat to the programme in this instance.

Trained medical staff and fly fishing instructors are on hand and the tackle and appropriate clothing is provided.

Fly fishing offers proven benefits for recovering breast cancer patients, with the casting action providing the gentle exercise recommended by physiotherapists for joint and soft tissue mobility. It also offers participants a chance to reflect and escape in tranquil surroundings.

Casting for Recovery was founded in the United States in 1996 and has since helped almost 3,000 breast cancer survivors.

“The participants arrived on the Friday not knowing exactly what to expect and left on Sunday having made friends for life and having thoroughly enjoyed their time in the beautiful Devon countryside," said programme co-ordinator Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer to become an international gold medallist fly fisher.

"The delight on some of the ladies’ faces as the caught their first fish was magical."

Ladies interested in joining a retreat can email Sue here.

The photo at the top shows two of the participants, Maureen and Ava - neither of whom had fished before. The other shot shows all the participants plus instructors, medical staff, guides and Anne Voss-Bark, owner of the Arundell Arms and one fo the charity's benefactor.

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