The TU Costa 5 Rivers Collegiate Fly Fishing Clubs recently concluded their Mother’s Day Giving Challenge, standing in solidarity with the amazing women in our lives—mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and friends—who are bravely battling breast cancer. This spirited competition, which ran until Mother’s Day, saw TU Costa 5 Rivers Fly Fishing clubs across the nation rallying to raise funds for Casting for Recovery, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of women with breast cancer through fly fishing retreats.
The finish was nothing short of thrilling, with three clubs fighting to reel in the lead in the final moments. The University of Colorado Buffs, the Clemson Tigers, and the Utah Utes each raised over $2,000, with the Utes ultimately clinching the victory in the last minutes of the challenge. Highlights included Colorado changing their logo colors to pink and black to support the challenge, Clemson using their end-of-year raffle to make a stunning comeback, and “Crazy Aunt Kelly” coming through with a big donation to secure Utah’s lead.
Cliff Watson, Program Manager for TU Costa 5 Rivers Clubs, praised the effort: “I am immensely proud of every 5 Rivers club and their members who participated in this fundraising challenge. Throughout its history, 5 Rivers has existed as a place for conservation, community, and fly fishing, to change the world. The resounding success of this fundraiser exemplifies the impact that 5 Rivers and the fly fishing community can achieve when united for a cause as powerful as Casting for Recovery.”
Susan Gaetz, Executive Director for Casting for Recovery, added, “The dedication and enthusiasm of these young anglers are truly inspiring. Their efforts not only raise crucial funds but also spread awareness and foster a supportive community for women battling breast cancer. We’re grateful for their support and excited to see the positive impact they’ll continue to make.”
The TU Costa 5 Rivers Program is the national network of college fly fishing clubs. Their vision is to create the most empowered, educated, and engaged generation of conservation-minded college fly anglers in history. Each club is managed entirely by students and operates autonomously as they work to engage fly anglers of all skill levels in bringing the Trout Unlimited mission to life on their campus.
Casting for Recovery offers free fly fishing retreats to women with breast cancer, providing a unique therapeutic experience that combines nature, camaraderie, and the healing sport of fly fishing. These retreats offer participants much-needed respite and the opportunity to connect with others who understand their journey.
This collaboration between TU Costa 5 Rivers and Casting for Recovery showcases the power of community and the impact that the younger generation can have when they come together for a meaningful cause. The challenge not only raised an impressive $14,555 but also brought together the fly fishing community in support of women battling breast cancer, proving that together, we can make waves of change. Thank to TU Costa 5 Rivers for their partnership and to all the Clubs for participating!
