Heal Some Souls and Change Your Life: Bonnie Holding of Casting for Recovery

Today I’m honored to introduce you to Bonnie Holding, who is - literally - a legend walking among us.

Despite hating bugs and bad weather,  Bonnie has been a Maine Master Guide for over 30 years, and was the first ever female recipient of the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award in 2019. But that wasn’t even the reason I was most interested in talking with her.

For many years, Bonnie has also been the Maine program coordinator for an absolutely wonderful organization called Casting for Recovery, which creates opportunities for women who have or have had breast cancer to get together for small group retreats where they learn how to fly fish. As you’ll hear in this conversation, these retreats are both all about the fishing, and not at all about the fishing.

Bonnie is not only a legendary guide, but the personification of the eclectic mix of knowledge, skills and interests that successful women outdoor guides possess - equal parts entrepreneur, creative, short-order cook, tech support, community builder, teacher and hospitality pro. Oh, and did I mention she does fine art commentary as well?!?

I hope you’ll check out Casting for Recovery.org, the site has links and info for all of the local chapters around the country. You can also follow Casting for Recovery Maine specifically on Facebook.

Other links from our convo:

• Maine BOW (Becoming an Outdoors Woman) Program
• What is lymphedema?
• Fly Fishing in Maine - video of FFIM’s hosted event with Casting for Recovery
• Maine Sporting Camp Association
• What is a pack basket?
• Leatherman

And more fly-fishing goodness with Bri Dostie, Cori Brago and Fly Girl Global!