Retreats:

A Typical Retreat

Our retreats begin on Friday afternoon as participants arrive and are warmly welcomed by our volunteer staff. After settling into comfortable accommodations—typically shared with one other participant—everyone is fitted with the gear they will use throughout the weekend. A relaxed orientation helps everyone get acquainted before gathering for a delicious catered dinner and an evening of conversation and connection.

Saturday begins with a hearty breakfast before participants spend the morning learning about fly-fishing equipment, techniques, knots, and aquatic insects in an informal, supportive setting. Before lunch, participants head outside to practice basic casting. In the afternoon, everyone gears up for time on the water at a nearby lake or pond, with volunteers offering individualized instruction and encouragement. The evening concludes with dinner followed by a cozy fireside gathering where stories and shared experiences often become some of the most meaningful moments of the weekend.

On Sunday morning, participants enjoy breakfast before heading to a local river where volunteer guides provide one-on-one support while fishing together along the water. The retreat concludes with lunch and a closing ceremony, offering time to reflect on the weekend, celebrate new skills, and say goodbye to the friendships formed during this special time together.

Sample Retreat Agenda

  • "This retreat was so empowering and validating. I've made some new friends and we've enjoyed fly-fishing together since that weekend along with A LOT of laughs...on the water, IN the water! It's really been a great experience and I can't emphasize enough the need for women with cancer to take some of our precious and dwindling time to enjoy some real-life adventure, hilarity, rest, friendship, and maybe learn something new, the art of fly-fishing, and...living isn't over. "

    - Karyn D Clark, 2026 participant

    Read more about Karyn’s Story

  • "“My retreat was a surprise in that I reveled in the love and support I got. I cried and laughed and hugged other women who knew exactly what I knew about being a woman who hears the words ‘you have cancer."

    Past HOTR Participant

  • “Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind and unending generosity. I found a peace that has been missing for a long time. Because you took the time to care and helped us laugh and taught us to fly fish, I can move into this phase of recovery with a great deal more strength and pleasure. I’ve been to the river and it was good.”

    Past HOTR Participant

What to Expect/ FAQs

  • A. Hope on the Rise retreats are offered at no cost to participants. Your only cost will be transportation to/from the retreat, and the purchase of a fishing license. Included in your retreat weekend are lodging, meals, instructional fly fishing, use of equipment and your guide. Hope on the Rise does not pay for the purchase of alcoholic beverages during a retreat.

  • A. Absolutely not! Our retreats are designed for any level of fly angler (beginning to advanced), and most participants who attend have never fly fished or have little experience.

  • A. That’s perfectly fine, though we’ll warn you that you just might get “hooked.” Our retreats center around teaching the essentials of fly fishing, but they are mostly designed to give participants a chance to forge new friendships, discover something new, experience nature, share experiences, and find hope and renewal.

  • A. No! Hope on the Rise provides all the fly fishing equipment you will need during your retreat. If you have equipment and wish to bring your own, that’s okay as well, but it isn’t required. We provide waders, boots, vests, rods, reels, line, flies, and all the accessories you’ll need for your retreat. And again, it’s offered at no cost as part of your retreat weekend. Awesome, right???

  • A. Although our team members love critters, we don’t allow pets at our retreats. Certified service animals are welcome.

  • A. You can find a sample agenda here. Our retreat agenda is packed with (extremely fun) activities. We do our best to provide free time for participants to enjoy the lodge, the surroundings, and time with one another. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace and are not required to attend fly fishing sessions, though we strongly encourage attendance (besides, it’s too much fun to resist). The weekends are relatively fast-paced and are designed to give participants as much exposure as possible to fly fishing during a short period of time. As with most outdoor activities, participants can expect a fair amount of walking. Our staff will provide transportation to/from session venues as needed. Generally, the longest walk during a retreat is less than 10 minutes.

  • A. Accommodations are based on the Host Lodge’s configuration. They can be singles or shared rooms and shared baths. Our retreat staff will assign roommates if needed (a lot of thoughtfulness is involved in this process). In some cases, accommodations may be on the 2nd floor. If you are selected for a retreat, you can provide details about your lodging needs on our participant information form. In addition, someone from our staff will contact each participant to discuss retreat details and to answer any questions.

  • A. Smoking is prohibited inside the lodges, rooms and buildings that host our retreats. We kindly ask that you smoke as far away from buildings as possible out of consideration for other retreat attendees and guests at the lodge.

  • A. Consumption of alcohol is allowed during free time at the retreat. Depending on the lodge, alcohol can also be purchased at dinner. We strongly encourage responsible consumption of alcohol to ensure the safety of all participants, staff and other guests at the lodge. Participants can bring their beverages of choice for the retreat to consume at free time.

    As a note: No illegal drugs are permitted during our retreats. Please familiarize yourself with local law.

  • A. Unfortunately, we do not allow a past participant to attend another retreat.

  • A. Absolutely! Our retreats are open to women at any stage, and with any type of cancer. Please do be aware that fly fishing requires a fair level of physical activity.