Alison Best, from the CfR Program Department, gives us the scoop on the 10th annual Chica de Mayo event in Bozeman. Dig in and see some shots from the fishy fun day below.

(Learning to tie; Whitney Milhoan, Casting for Recovery, Diane Bristol and Sarah “Shark” Clark, SIMMS)

May 5th 2018 was the 10th annual celebration of Chica de Mayo, the largest celebration of women fly-fishers in America!  Chica de Mayo is hosted by The River’s Edge West, Simms and Casting for Recovery in Bozeman, MT.  Madison-Gallatin Trout Unlimited and Yellowdog Community & Conservation Foundation sponsored the event.

Over 50 industry and community partners donated wonderful items that were raffled or auctioned off and 200 women gathered at The River’s Edge West on a nice spring day to further their fly- fishing journey. Volunteers welcomed the women with smiles and a map on how to proceed through the day.  Everyone had a chance to purchase a glass for the cocktail party as Chica de Mayo takes a stand to Kick Plastic.

The event had six education stations that allowed women to learn how to tie knots, see actual bugs and their live stages, rig a boat and hear about hot topic conservation news. Throughout the day women bought raffle tickets to drop in pink buckets filled with wonderful items, bid on silent auction items like guided trips.

(Overview of the day; Casting clinic)

Later in the day everyone went over to Simms to hear three guest speakers tell their personal stories of how they started to fly fish. Chica wrapped up with a festive cocktail party where the raffle and auction winners were announced with cheers!  This year over $8500 was raised from the event with all proceeds donated to Casting for Recovery, sending women in all stages of breast cancer to a 2 ½ day retreat.

Casting for Recovery retreats are welcoming, healing and emphasize the importance of fly fishing in your life!