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Casting for Recovery in Rose Parade

By Scott Richmond

Portland's annual floral extravaganza will feature a float with a fly fishing theme.

he Portland Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade is seen by many--half a million throng the 4.2 mile parade route, and another 30 million see it on TV. This year, they'll see something different: a float with a fly fishing theme.

On June 9, Casting For Recovery's float entry, "To Fish is to Hope" will feature a beautiful trout leaping through a pink ribbon that says "Casting for Recovery." According to Kendra Comerford, the float is 10 feet by 10 feet by 14 feet tall. It will be pushed by members of the Stonefly Maidens and Women on the Fly, both of which are fly fishing clubs for women.

The float is constructed from hot pink roses, gladiola, carnations, white stalk, and iris, as well as less traditional materials such as dried ground split peas and cornmeal. Casting For Recovery (CFR) is an educational and support program for breast cancer survivors.

"This is the largest and longest Parade in Portland's 100 years," said Marilyn Clint, Portland Rose Festival's Associate Executive Director. "We are pleased to welcome the CFR float to this exciting line-up." The float is co-sponsored by Baseline Consulting, a premier business advisory and information technology (IT) consulting firm, and Humphrey Strategic Communications, an IT public and analyst relations firm.

Purpose of the Float

The purpose of the float is to publicize CFR and its weekend retreats, which are free to the participants. These retreats incorporate counseling, educational services, and fly fishing to promote physical and mental healing. It is a formula that brings everlasting joy and support, provides lifelong skills, and connects people nationwide. By the end of 2007, 3,000 women will have attended retreats put on by over 700 dedicated volunteers.

More Funds Means Helping More Women Recover

In 2006 CFR had to turn away 800 applications that it could not accommodate. In Oregon, more than 30 women remain on a retreat waiting list. According to Baseline Consulting Partner Jill Dyche, it was these facts that peaked Baseline's interest in underwriting this unique outreach program. "The goal is to help raise the visibility of CFR--both nationally and in Oregon--to help in their grass-roots efforts to raise the capital necessary to expand the number of retreats it can offer," Dyche said. "Participating in this prestigious parade--especially one celebrating its 100th anniversary--is an ideal way to spread the word about this extremely worthy organization."

Oregon CFR has added a second retreat in 2007 in an attempt to help reduce its waiting list. For the fourth consecutive year, a CFR retreat is scheduled September 7-9 for the Big K Ranch in Elkton, hosted by Women on the Fly, a southern Oregon based fly fishing group. A second retreat will take October 12-14 at the Rock Springs Guest Ranch in Bend and will be hosted by Stone Fly Maidens, a Portland-based women's fly fishing club affiliated with Oregon Council-Federation of Fly Fishers. CFR was a major beneficiary of Westfly's December auction. Over $2,300 was raised for CFR in that auction; the money will be used for retreats.

"I am proud to team with Baseline Consulting to support this exciting undertaking," said Scott Humphrey, principal of Humphrey Strategic Communications. "As a long time resident of the Portland area, and fan of the parade, I know the positive impact this project will have in spreading the word about CFR--to potential retreat participants as well as donors."

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 06/07/2007.