Reel Recovery celebrates 20th anniversary schedule of free fly fishing retreats for men with cancer

May 2, 2023

Two decades, 4000 anglers and countless ‘courageous conversations’ later, Reel Recovery looks forward to the next milestones

NEEDHAM, MA/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Reel Recovery is celebrating 20 years of providing expenses-paid fly fishing trips for men living with cancer with its biggest season ever – 30 retreats in 20 states plus four retreats in New Zealand and Australia.

The Reel Recovery team has already helped over 4,000 men find peace in the face of a cancer diagnosis; now, they’ve set their eyes on the next 4,000 with an expanding, international program offering a record-number 34 retreats in 2023.

While support groups are proven to be effective in helping people with cancer, men are outpaced by women in support group participation by as much as three to one. Reel Recovery has found success by putting time on the water at the forefront of a program specifically tailored to men living with cancer, with no previous fly fishing experience necessary.

“Getting out into nature is such a relief from the confinement and sometimes isolation that can come with cancer treatment,” said Reel Recovery Executive Director Stan Golub. “We’ve heard it time and time again from men who’ve attended our programs: When they’re out on the water, it’s as if their cancer drifts away.”

By providing a peaceful, reflective environment that gets men away from the stresses of their day-to-day responsibilities, Reel Recovery creates the opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on living with cancer. Along with time on the water, the men take part in professionally facilitated “courageous conversations” that allow them to share their cancer related experiences with other men in similar situations.

“Many of our participants have never tried fly fishing before, nor have they talked much about their cancer,” said Golub, “but learning something new and feeling the support of the other men can lead to a new outlook and hope for the future.

Reel Recovery’s 20th Anniversary Season of expenses-paid fly fishing retreats is ongoing, and while some openings still exist, many programs are filling up. See below for the 2023 schedule.

To learn more about Reel Recovery, to register, donate or volunteer at a local retreat, visit reelrecovery.org. For media inquiries, contact Chris Hrenko at Pale Morning Media (chris@palemorning.com).

2023 Retreat Schedule

March 3, 2023

Raetihi, NZ (NZ Residents Only)

March 31, 2023

Waring, TX

April 4, 2023

Navasota, TX

April 24, 2023

Steelville, MO

April 28, 2023

Glen Rose, TX

May 1, 2023

Syria, VA

May 8, 2023

Hope, NJ

May 8, 2023

Gordon, VC Australia

May 17, 2023

Jamestown, KY

May 22, 2023

Bridgeport, CA

May 29, 2023

Shawnee, CO

June 5, 2023

Altamont, UT

June 12, 2023

Boiling Springs, PA

June 20, 2023

Clyde, OH

June 26, 2023

Traverse City, MI

July 7, 2023

Mackay, ID

July 27, 2023

Ennis, MT

August 13, 2023

Elkton, OR

September 6, 2023

Eau Claire, WI

September 10, 2023

Broken Bow, OK

September 11, 2023

Rangeley, ME

September 13, 2023

Rangley, ME – Dempsey Center Only

September 15, 2023

Waring, TX (Veterans Only)

September 26, 2023

Bridgeport, CA

October 2, 2023

Paradise, UT

October 2, 2023

Shawnee, CO

October 6, 2023

Glen Rose, TX

October 6, 2023

Spruce Pine, NC

October 16, 2023

Syria, VA (Veterans Only)

October 23, 2023

Flippin, AR

October 31, 2023

Turangi, NZ (NZ Residents Only)

November 3, 2023

Navasota, TX