Barbara Haven of Folsom, Calif., was on her way to becoming a genuine California outdoorswoman when she was waylaid by a diagnosis of breast cancer.

"There's a Web site called 'Becoming an Outdoors-Woman' and I was just getting into it when I got diagnosed," the 59-year-old state systems analyst said.

She put her adventure plans on hold all through surgery and chemotherapy which she completed in April.

To celebrate her recovery, Haven joined 13 other women at the national Casting For Recovery fly-fishing retreat last week in Alpine County.

Despite a brisk breeze, the wind-whipped waves of Indian Creek Reservoir beckoned the 14 breast cancer survivors and their fishing buddies.

For three days, the women from California and Nevada practiced the art of fly-fishing at the third annual retreat, sponsored by Carson-Tahoe Cancer Services.

Evenings were spent discussing their cancer and how life has changed. For some participants it was the first opportunity to talk about the disease with women who have shared similar experiences.

"Clinically, we are very good at treating cancer and creating survivors, but sometimes the emotional component is missing," said Ann Proffitt, a breast cancer survivor and supervisor at the resource center.

"We see a strength they gain from realizing they are not alone."

Proffitt organized the first retreat in Northern Nevada and California in 2002. Part of the event is that the women are pampered.

"I thought it was wonderful," said Dede Cowden, 60, of Minden.

"When I arrived, two instructors took my luggage. They wouldn't let me lift a plate," she said.

Proffitt said three of this year's volunteers were women who participated in the event last year.

"People get a sense of direction," she said. "They feel like they can start focusing on moving forward. This gives them a sense of where they are going from here."

"It feels very empowering," Haven said. "It's been a very good high energy event."

"Ann made it feel like a birthday, we got so many gifts," Haven said. "This is just a wonderful idea being out in nature, out on the river. I am just so happy to be here."

Fly-fishing instructor and retreat leader Ilene Hirsh was making her third visit to the event.

"It always amazes me what they can do after less than an hour of casting instruction," she said. "They're my heroes."

Each woman was paired with a volunteer fly-fishing instructor from the High Sierra Fly Casters, based in Carson Valley.

Martha Betcher, 50, of Gardnerville, was teamed up with Dean Padgett, also of Gardnerville.

Betcher, librarian at Carson Valley Middle School, was diagnosed with breast cancer 2-1/2 years ago. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy and is in recovery.

She said she enjoyed the company of the other women.

"Not just focusing on your cancer 100 percent, that's what was appealing to me about the retreat," Betcher said.

For Judi Sparrow, 56, of Zephyr Heights, the retreat was an extension of the recovery work she's been doing with a support group at Lake Tahoe.

"It was just a wonderful experience to meet the other women. Fly-fishing is a gentle range of motion and there's almost a spirituality among fly-fisher people who are purists."

Sparrow was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2002, the first person in her family ever to have cancer. A year later, her 36-year-old daughter faced the same diagnosis.

"At the retreat, we were able to share our experiences and talk about what worked for each other and where we are in our recovery. Some women have a hard time moving on," Sparrow said. "They get bogged down with families and working and never have time to relax."

The program is free to participants. The Orvis Co. provides the gear and local sponsors help support the event.

Sorensen's Resort in Hope Valley donated 10 cabins for lodging and meals. Nelson's in Gardnerville also prepared food for the women and the volunteers.

"They waited on us hand and foot at the retreat," Sparrow said. " I feel really blessed that I got to be part of it."



ON THE WEB

Casting for Recovery

www.castingforrecovery.org



Carson-Tahoe Cancer Resource Center

www.carsontahoe.com