Casting Carolinas is an independent 501 c 3 organization that began in January 2015. Casting Carolinas was founded so that our unique new F.L.O.W. program, which combines fly fishing instruction with medical education and mindfulness, could be offered to women surviving all types of cancer. Casting Carolinas is committed to working with local communities across North and South Carolina to make retreats possible for all survivors. Understanding that some women are not able to attend a Three-day Retreat, we have designed a program that also includes One-day Retreats and activities.
All Casting Carolinas’ retreats and events are staffed by volunteers who are experienced, skilled professionals. Our staff are trained to work with survivors and dedicated to providing a retreat experience that enhances quality of life. Our trademarked F.L.O.W. program model offers much more than fly-fishing instruction! We teach the skills that can help women deal more effectively with the emotional challenges of cancer survivorship. All Casting Carolinas alumnae become part of a support network, The Casting Carolinas Fly Fishing Sisterhood, and have the opportunity to participate in on-going gatherings and events including an annual retreat weekend.
Meet our Board of Directors and Staff
Linda Vance, Board of Directors Chair
Linda was introduced to fly fishing while studying for her PhD in conservation ecology in the mid-90s; her colleagues convinced her it was the most environmentally friendly way to sample the health of fish populations in mountain streams. She chose to believe it, and has been sampling streams, lakes, rivers and oceans ever since. After attending a retreat in 2024, where she was so moved and impressed by the quality of the retreat leaders and the joy of the participants, she felt compelled to join the Board to help the program in any way she could.
She and her partner live in the Asheville, NC area with two cats who are completely uninterested in water-based activities, and who disapprove of her catch-and-release practices for fish.
Starr Nolan, MSW, LCSW Executive Director
Starr holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of NC at Chapel Hill and has been in private psychotherapy practice in Asheville since 1994. She has many years of non-profit leadership experience. Starr was Chair of the Board of Directors at Helpmate, Asheville’s domestic violence agency, for 4 years and served on that board for 8 years. She was President of the Land O’Sky Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Asheville for 4 years and also served on that non-profit’s Board. Starr was Program Coordinator for Carolinas Casting for Recovery for 13 years and worked on the national staff as Regional Program Director for CfR for 4 years.
In 2017, Starr was named to the Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Fame in the “Humanities” category in recognition of her fly fishing expertise and years of volunteer service.
Starr owns and operates Brookside Guides, a fly fishing guide service, which has operated in Asheville for 15 years. She has taught hundreds of new anglers how to fly fish.
Board of Directors
Kathy Ackerman, Honorary Chair Emeritus
Kathy Ackerman was a founding force and the inspiration behind Casting Carolinas. In 2014 she convened a meeting to discuss forming our new non-profit and provided funding to begin our journey! She was the original Chair of the Casting Carolinas Board of Directors and continued to provide enthusiastic support for our mission for many years. Sadly, Kathy was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2017 and continued to inspire all us all with her courageous fight (along with continuing other activities, she posted a video of herself sky diving while in the midst of treatment!)
As usual, Kathy became involved in helping others -raising funds for brain cancer research and continued with that until her death in 2022. She is greatly missed by all of us!
Ronnie Vagnone
Ronnie Vagnone, MBA, CPA, Treasurer Ronnie Vagnone is Senior Vice President, Accounting for Flagship Healthcare Properties in Charlotte, NC. She began her fly-fishing adventure in 2016 during a career change. She was truly hooked after a few outings with local guides, but the passion grew from there. She joined Women on the Fly-Carolinas where she has become very involved in the sport while encouraging other women to participate. She is dedicated to continuing her fly-fishing education and volunteerism in many ways: she completed FFI’s bronze fly-tying certification during covid; she attended the Wulff Fly Fishing school in NY in 2023; she is on the board of her local Trout Unlimited chapter, and she became a volunteer with the NC Wildlife Commission in 2024 . She hopes to become a certified casting instructor in the future.
Ronnie has been a Casting Carolinas volunteer for the last 5 years and recently joined the board to further her involvement and support of the organization.
Richelle Calicott
Richelle Calicott learned about Casting Carolinas after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. She attended a Casting Carolina’s retreat and loved the support, resources, and connection she felt with the staff and other survivors there. She knew immediately that she wanted to serve this community and share her experience with others.
Richelle lives in the greater Charlotte area with her husband, two boys, and two dogs. She has a bachelor’s degree in business and is a founding partner of an IT consulting firm. She led a team in Charlotte’s 24 Hours of Booty event to support the 24 Foundation and cancer navigation for several years and, more recently, organized and directed an event to support the non-profit, NothingPink.
Richelle spends most of her free time outdoors cycling, paddleboarding, and fishing.
Arlene Wagner
Arlene is a native of Niagara Falls, NY and has been in North Carolina since 1990. She is retired from a career as an administrative assistant in the insurance and legal fields. She is a two-time cancer thrive-or and became involved with Casting Carolinas when attending the first retreat. Since that time she has volunteered with Casting Carolinas in many capacities including participating on the Retreat Staff. Even though the fishing bug “did not bite her”, Arlene believes in the organization and its goals. Her hobbies are knitting and crocheting, including creating Knitted Knockers, (a very soft, flexible prosthetic) that she will make for anyone needing them.
Callie Freeman
Callie Freeman, PhD, is an avid fly angler, passionate fly-casting instructor and professional entomologist. A native of Lexington, KY, Callie holds a doctorate degree in Entomology from North Carolina State University. Callie is the owner and principal scientist of Parker BioLabs LLC and specializes in contract research and consulting.
Callie’s love of fly fishing and conservation led her to volunteer her time with several groups including Women in Waders Upstate (SC), PDX Women on the Fly (OR), the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina and East KY Ladies of Ducks Unlimited (KY).
Callie’s enthusiasm for teaching and fly casting led to her current pursuit of Casting Instructor Certification through Fly Fishers International. She is currently teaching under Callie Freeman Fly Fishing. Callie delights in easing new members into the sport and helping seasoned anglers improve their casting skills.
Callie lives in Easley, South Carolina with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Heath Freeman (USMC retired), her artist extraordinaire daughter, professional gamer and space obsessed son and beloved Labrador retriever.
Jennifer Stubbs
Jennifer Stubbs is a Dental Hygienist and shameless fly fisher living in Chapel Hill, NC.
She is a two time cancer survivor and was introduced to fly fishing while attending Casting Carolinas as a participant in October of 2016.
Jennifer leads CC retreats and coordinates Casting Carolinas’ Alumni program. When she isn’t working or volunteering you can find her fishing, camping and hiking with her husband Jay and two dogs, Chester and Nelson.
Christy McMakin, Secretary
Christy is a breast cancer survivor and attended her first Casting Carolinas retreat in October of 2021. She immediately fell in love with the organization and its mission to serve women who are affected by cancer and began volunteering in 2022.
She is a mother to 4 adult children, and ‘momsy’ to 5 of the sweetest grandchildren this side of the universe. A social worker by profession, Christy works with the chronically homeless population to provide stable living and affordable housing.
She is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hiking, rock climbing, kayaking and fly fishing! She also enjoys reading and blogging.
Our Advisory Board
