Objectives/purpose: Nature-based interventions can improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Fly-fishing retreats for cancer survivors are a nature-based intervention that allow participants to engage in an immersive, outdoor activity.
Aim: To understand the experiences of cancer survivors attending fly-fishing retreats and identify key outcomes from these programs.
Sample and Setting: The study was conducted in partnership with ‘Mending Casts’ an Australian not-for-profit organisation that runs 3-day fly-fishing retreats for male and female cancer survivors. Participants from eight retreats (n=80) were invited to take part in an interview conducted via Zoom.
Procedures: ‘Mending Casts’ emailed study materials to retreat attendees. Those interested provided consent and booked an interview. Interviews consisting of open-ended questions about experiences and benefits of the retreat, were recorded and transcribed. Themes were developed inductively, using reflexive thematic analysis undertaken from a critical realist perspective. Sample size was limited to retreat attendees and was determined based on richness and depth of the data. Theme refinements were made iteratively through collaborative discussion to identify meaningful patterns.
Results: Nineteen people (8 women, 11 men) were interviewed. Four themes were identified. 1) Cancer experience as reason for attending. Cancer was isolating and disruptive, providing context for the realised value of the retreat. 2) Wellbeing and restoration. Retreats were meaningful, providing opportunities for immersion in nature, mindfulness, reflection, learning, and a break from day-to-day. 3) Social and personal fulfilment. Participants connected through shared experiences, achieved new skills, and experienced social support and vulnerability. 4) Value and impact. Retreats provided value through sustained social connections, skill acquisition, enhanced wellbeing, and perspective shifts.
Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Fly-fishing retreats are a promising nature-based intervention that may support the wellbeing of cancer survivors through developing mindfulness, social connection, flow-like experiences, and skill development. Research is needed to quantitatively assess the impact and value of fly-fishing retreats.