At the heart of The Jane Project: Carried by the Current is Kara Armano, whose story reflects the strength, connection, and healing found on the water. From navigating breast cancer to finding purpose through Casting for Recovery, her journey shows how the river can carry us forward. Read her story here.
My worlds collided at age 40
I grew up in an outdoorsy family. I learned to ski when I was four or five. We camped and hiked on the banks of Rock Creek outside Missoula every summer. My dad and I were chased off Plum Creek in the Big Horns by a momma and baby moose when I was seven or so. We trekked into the woods every Christmas to cut down our tree and relished in the hot cocoa to help warm up our tummys and fingers.
But, when I was old enough to hold and cast a fly rod, there was no turning back. My dad would piggyback me across Rock Creek (which knowing how treacherous that wading is now amazes me that we never fell in) plop me down, hand me his fly rod, and I’d cast to hungry trout with a fluffy caddis.
My adventures of identifying wildflowers with my mom and grandmothers waned while my time on the river fishing with my dad and brother steadily increased. The clincher was my high school graduation trip with my dad to the South Fork of the Flathead in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Fly fishing became the love of my life.
Fly fishing dominates my life
After a brief career in environmental science, I stumbled my way into working in the fly fishing industry. I managed public relations and communications for a handful of well-known fly fishing manufacturers, which is where I was first introduced to Casing for Recovery. I wrote a press release about a gorgeous pink fly rod and reel Sage made to help raise money for the organization, and then while at trade shows, I got to meet some of the stellar people running this meaningful non-profit.
Continue reading Kara Armano’s story at the Casting for Recovery website.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
