Pink Fly Fishing Clinic, Point Walter, Saturday 6 December 2008.

Lisa Sharp and Alan Guthrie conducted the clinic, with great "one on one" assistance from David Bell and other members from the Saltwater Flyrodders Association WA Inc. and Michael Roennfeldt, well know fishing writer.

Recfishwest was again extremely grateful to SHIMANO for providing the ladies with pink SPF-30 rated shirts. This was a SunSmart event and all participants, instructors and spectators were encouraged to practice good SunSmart behaviour.

Here are some photos from the clinic, taken by RFW Board Member Terry Fuller. Please contact Terry using the contact details handed out at the clinic or via Recfishwest to obtain high resolution copies of these photographs and many more similar ones which were taken on the day. Each photo has an identification which pops up when the mouse is over the photo.

 

                                                             

       

Background to Pink Fly Fishing

Research in the United States has shown that fly fishing for women recovering from breast cancer provides an opportunity for women who have been affected by the disease to gather in a beautiful, natural and relaxing environment and learn a fun new skill. These special fly-fishing clinics will offer women an opportunity to meet new friends and create a support network, but most importantly to have fun. Fly fishing is a sport where women can talk whilst fishing, and offer much needed support for each other.

Fly-fishing is an excellent form of recovery exercise for breast cancer surgery. We wish to assist those women who have undergone surgery or treatment to a speedy recovery and to introduce new participants to fly fishing. It is less physically demanding than dragon boat racing where breast cancer survivors have also made a significant impact.

Fly fishing techniques provide gentle exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility. Studies have shown that the casting motion is similar to the exercises prescribed by surgeons for women who have had surgery or radiation. It is a very gentle motion which promotes soft tissue stretching.

Learning a new life skill at such a traumatic time could also be beneficial in providing a fun positive activity at a very stressful time in your life. The outdoors soothes the soul and can provide women with an improved outlook on life. Being inspired by the recovery process in other women and seeing that other women are surviving breast cancer can be a powerful healing tool. It might even be something your partner or family could take up as well!

A series of coordinated clinics is seen as an ideal way to provide an opportunity for women to try fly fishing and to establish a network of friends who have been through similar experiences. The participants can voluntarily be included in a contact list of fellow participants if they so desire for future fishing buddies.

The invitation and more details of the clinic

2008 Invitation formatted for printing on A4 paper (151 kilobyte PDF file)

The clinic was proudly supported by;

           



This page was prepared on 20 November 2008, edited to add photos on 8 December 2008