Fly fishing films often focus on exotic places, trophy fish, and the action-packed storytelling and adventure that anglers dream of. Yet every so often, a film that transcends the big-fish moments comes to life, sharing the deeper stories, individuals, and messages that can be overlooked. This year’s F3T Film pool features one of these films. The Jane Project: Carried by the Current is an emotional and powerful film, exploring the healing power of fly fishing, nature, and community through the eyes of Kara Armano. Recently, we sat down with Stacey Benham, of Casting for Recovery, to learn what it took to bring this incredible film to life. Follow along in this exclusive F3T Behind the Lens interview.
Flylords: Your film, The Jane Project: Carried by the Current, follows the story of Kara Armano, her battle with cancer, and her ultimately overcoming it. Where did the idea to focus this story around Kara come from?
Stacey Benham: Kara is amazing as both a human and as a fly angler. Last fall, after Kara’s Colorado Western Slope retreat, we were fishing together on the Roaring Fork when I asked her something that had been on my mind: What drew you to Casting for Recovery? She’s one of the most accomplished fly anglers I know—someone who could fish anywhere, with anyone. So why would she want to attend a fly fishing retreat for mostly novices when she is such an accomplished angler?
Her answer was simple and unexpected. It was the connection and support from other women that she needed and ultimately felt at that retreat. The fly fishing component was just the icing on the cake for her.
When we began thinking about telling a story that reflected both the reality of breast cancer, the universal, the strength found on the other side of it, and the healing we all find through fly fishing, Kara’s story rose to the surface. She has been part of the Casting for Recovery community for years, not only as a participant but as someone who gives back through volunteering. Kara shares her story with such honesty and openness so others might feel seen, understood, and less alone.
Flylords: Can you tell us more about The Jane Project and its goals?
Stacey Benham: At its heart, The Jane Project is about honoring the women we love, the journeys they carry, and the power of showing up for one another. The project centers around a drift boat named Jane, which currently lives in the Gallatin Valley, that has become both a symbol and a platform for storytelling, awareness, and fundraising for Casting for Recovery. The goal is to extend the impact of our retreats beyond a single weekend and reach people who may not yet know that this kind of support exists. Through film, events, and community engagement, The Jane Project helps open doors for more women to find healing, connection, and hope.
Flylords: A lot of fly-fishing films focus on epic places and trophy fish, whereas The Jane Project: Carried by the Current focuses on storytelling. What made you decide to take this approach in making this film?
Stacey Benham: Most fly-fishing films focus on the thrill of the sport, the chase, cracking the code, personal bests, and that rush when the fish is in the net. And of course, that’s part of why we love it.
But what we hear most often from women at our retreats is something quieter and more universal, which I think so many anglers feel when they are out on the water, is: “I didn’t think about anything else while I was standing in the river.”
This film lives in that space. It’s about the stillness, the focus, and the mental health benefits of “WHY” we fish. It captures the meditative and healing power of being outside, immersed in all that nature offers. The reason so many of us return to rivers again and again, whether we can name it or not.
You don’t need a diagnosis to find healing on the water. We all carry stress, grief, and personal challenges, and for many people, fly fishing becomes a way to cope, reset, and reconnect. That’s what our retreats offer women navigating breast cancer, and it’s what this film reflects at its core: fly fishing not just as a sport, but as a powerful tool for mental health, empowerment, presence, and healing.
Flylords: Your film is a powerful one. Are there any key messages you hope the audience takes away from this film?
Stacey Benham: We hope people walk away understanding that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through connection, time, patience, and being surrounded by people who truly understand what you’re going through. We also hope the film shows that there is life, joy, and purpose after a cancer diagnosis. Even when things feel uncertain, there is room for growth, joy, strength, and peace.
Flylords: While time spent in nature is important for healing, The Jane Project also emphasizes community as a means of healing. How important is community for healing, especially for Casting for Recovery?
Stacey Benham: Community is essential. Nature provides space to breathe and reflect, but community provides belonging. For many women who attend Casting for Recovery retreats, it’s the first time they’ve been surrounded by others who truly understand their experience without explanation. That shared understanding creates trust, safety, and lasting relationships. The combination of time outdoors and meaningful human connection is what makes the experience so impactful and long-lasting.
Flylords: Can you tell us about the evolution of the pink boat and its importance for Casting for Recovery?
Stacey Benham: The pink boat began as a simple idea started by a group of friends, a visible symbol that could spark curiosity and conversation about breast cancer. Over time, it has grown into something much bigger. Jane represents the women we serve, the journeys they carry, and the support that surrounds them. The boat travels to events, screenings, and communities, creating opportunities to share stories, raise awareness, and invite people into the mission. It’s both a tribute and a tool, helping Casting for Recovery reach new audiences in a meaningful way. You can book a trip on Jane with our guide in the film, Kara Tripp, or donate with a tribute to a woman you love that will live on the boat.
Flylords: Were there any challenges you faced in bringing this film to life?
Stacey Benham: Kara’s Colorado Western Slope retreat took place last October, and our crew and I were driving from the Front Range to film the finale in a combo of heavy downpour and sleet on the fishing day. As I was crossing Eisenhower Pass around 5:15 a.m., I received a message from Kara that a mudslide had blocked the road to the retreat, making it impassable and cutting off her volunteer fishing guides and the film crew from the retreat.
For a moment, it looked like the fishing portion might be canceled, which was the core part of the story we were telling. Then, in true Casting for Recovery fashion, everything shifted. The clouds lifted, revealing an incredible autumn color palette on a Sopris covered with fresh snow. Volunteer guides were waiting on the other side of nearly six feet of impassable mud, and the women were ready and eager to fish.
Once the road was cleared, everyone rushed to the Crystal River. What unfolded was pure joy. It was beautiful, grounding, and a perfect reflection of the resilience and spirit that define Casting for Recovery.
Flylords: The film celebrates Casting for Recovery’s 30-year legacy. What’s next for Casting for Recovery?
Stacey Benham: As we look ahead, the focus is on expanding access and deepening impact to underserved and underresourced populations. That means serving more women in these groups (young women, military women, rural women, women of color, women living with Stage IV metastatic cancer), strengthening our volunteer and program infrastructure, and continuing to tell stories that reflect the real experiences of those we support. We’re also investing in new ways to engage donors, partners, and communities so that Casting for Recovery can continue to be here for women for the next 30 years and beyond.
Flylords: How can people get involved in The Jane Project?
Stacey Benham: There are many ways to get involved. You can donate to The Jane Project to keep the boat afloat, which directly supports our retreats and the women we serve, you can buy a tribute to honor a woman in your life, or you could float the Jane with Kara Tripp of Damsel Fly Fishing—all these options are available at www.castingforrecovery.org/jane.
Flylords: Who are some of the people who made this film possible? Any thank-yous or dedications you want to make?
Stacey Benham: This film exists because people came together around something deeply personal and profoundly shared. From the very beginning, Toby Ryston-Pratt opened the door for this project through Fly Fishing Film Tour, bringing not only belief in the idea but a lived understanding shaped by his wife Jane’s experience with breast cancer (a meaningful and ironic twist that we found out that his wife’s name was Jane after naming the boat this). That trust, encouragement, and unwavering support created the space for everything that followed.
Our Industry partners rallied with an extraordinary show of love and support. Their generosity and care carried this project forward at every stage.
We are endlessly grateful to our stars (Kara Armano, Whitney McDowell, Kara Tripp) who showed up with honesty, vulnerability, and heart, and to every volunteer and CfR staff member who helped bring this story to life.
And our director, Nate Dodge, who joined us at a 2024 retreat as a volunteer photographer, said after witnessing a CfR retreat, “I want to make an F3T film.” He brought exceptional professionalism, compassion, and cinematic storytelling to the project. Nate understood the heart of this story and translated it with warmth, intention, and a deep respect for the women and our mission.
Most of all, this film is for the women we serve, and for the truth that connects us all. We all know someone touched by breast cancer. This project is a reflection of what’s possible when people show up for one another with compassion, trust, and love.
