Jeff Pearce Blakewells resident Instructor sent me this short article on a project to help those with breast cancer.
‘Fishing for Life’ Organisation come to Blakewell
‘Fishing for Life’ is an organization, which provides fly, fishing sessions for people who all have one thing in common – breast cancer.
The organisation formed back in 2007 after learning how fly fishing techniques had been proven to be very beneficial to build up tissues and muscle for anyone suffering from breast cancer.
On the 6th September I had the pleasure of being invited along to the launch of their North Devon & 9th group at Blakewell fishery.
Interest in the group has been promising and 10 people have so far shown an interest in attending the North Devon group. The group will be meeting monthly in the future between 2pm and 4pm on the first Wednesday of each month.
As well as those attendees suffering from breast cancer, we had a group of nurses attend who wanted to learn more about the organisation and how fly fishing could help. As you can see from the above photo, having received some tuition they were soon captivated by the sport and keen to try and catch their first trout too!
Across the lake the ladies were engrossed in the tactics & seemed to be genuinely enjoying the sport. In fact, so much so that when afternoon tea was being served back at the café, one of the ladies just couldn’t be prized from the lake. Eventually returning carrying a decent trout and a big smile on her face!
It is hoped this group can now go from strength to strength and a decent number will make the monthly meet. It is further intended that if the weather is inclement during the winter months a fly tying workshop with a general will be held in the café instead, no doubt by this time there will be plenty of fishy tales to be told.
So, if you are one of these people who all have one thing in common – breast cancer and would like to come along or know anyone else who might benefit from joining this group, you can ring Gillian on 01398 371244 or check out their website at http://www.southwestfishingforlife.org.uk
