Finding Support and Connection Through Fly Fishing

Hooked on Hope’s Paint the Delaware Pink is a two-and-a-half-day retreat giving women who have experienced breast cancer an opportunity to fly fish on the Delaware River. Participants learn fishing skills while spending time with other women who understand what they have been through.

Miss Mayfly® was honored when Beth Zmijewski, a breast cancer survivor and director of the volunteer-based program, reached out to request waders for the third annual retreat, held in September.

The event became even more personal when we learned that Kristal Narkiewicz, a longtime Miss Mayfly ambassador who is now a retired ambassador, would be attending.

Kristal pictured below with her Mother,  in the first Miss Mayfly® photoshoot.

How I Met Kristal

I met Kristal several years earlier when she volunteered for one of Miss Mayfly’s first photo shoots. I recognized her connection with other women and her strong leadership qualities right away.

We had five women volunteer that day, none of whom had known each other beforehand. At first, they were unsure of themselves. Several said they weren’t very good anglers. A few worried about whether the waders would fit or whether they would look good enough to be photographed.

Once they put the waders on, they began to walk a little taller. They talked about the fit and comfort, and as we headed toward the water, their confidence grew.

I vividly remember Kristal calling out, “Let’s do this—we’ve got this!”

That day, I fell in love with women anglers. I fell in love with their spirit of unity. It wasn't long after that Miss Mayfly launched the ambassador program and I was honored to have Kristal join among the first participants in the program." 

A Weekend on the Delaware

At Paint the Delaware Pink, Kristal experienced that same sense of connection.

“I arrived to the lodge for the weekend to warm hugs and smiling faces!” she shared.

Beth had brought the women together for a weekend of fishing, sharing, and support. Volunteer guides traveled from across the country to help participants learn and spend time on the West Branch of the Delaware River.

Instruction included fly casting, river insects, and wading. There was something to learn even for participants like Kristal, who had been fly fishing for years.

“The guides were patient, kind and really funny!” she recalled.

She also tried a new side cast—one she admitted still needed some work.

Feeling Comfortable and Confident

Miss Mayfly supported the retreat by providing waders for all the women.

Kristal told us she was overwhelmed with emotion watching the participants find a comfortable fit and seeing the smiles on their faces. They felt beautiful, confident, and ready to get on the water.

Several women commented on how comfortable they felt. Some said they wanted to continue fishing with their partners after the retreat.

For us, hearing that women felt comfortable enough to try something new meant a great deal.

Just Keep Casting

Kristal’s mother taught her to fish, and fishing had been part of her life for many years. But fishing from a drift boat was a new experience.

When it began to rain, she knew the day might be challenging. She kept casting.

Finally, about 50 feet from the takeout, she caught a rainbow trout.

“That felt so good! All that practice, learning and it paid off!”

For Kristal, the catch was a welcome finish to a weekend that had already given her much more than time fishing.

She left feeling recharged after meeting women who shared their personal experiences and fears, supported one another, and found encouragement for what came next.

As she put it, “Somehow the water always finds a way to heal your soul!”

What Participants Shared

One participant described how the waders felt both in the boat and while moving:

“Even sitting on the boat, they did not pinch and feel tight like I had to wiggle to get comfortable. They had some give to them! Moving was very comfortable.”

Another woman, who was new to fly fishing, shared:

“First off, I loved the color of these waders - a beautiful chameleon green. They fit really comfortably.”

These comments were meaningful to us because comfort and fit can make a difference in how ready someone feels to participate.

Thank You to Hooked on Hope

Thank you to Beth, the volunteer guides, and everyone who helped make Paint the Delaware Pink possible. You gave these women time to learn, enjoy the river, and connect with others who understood their experiences.

And thank you, Kristal, for sharing your weekend with us. From that first Miss Mayfly photo shoot to this retreat, your encouragement of other women is something I will always appreciate.

Miss Mayfly was honored to support this experience and the women who participated.

Kristal’s account and participant testimonials were shared in our original coverage of the retreat. Quoted excerpts retain their original wording.