Women on the Fly

Program teaches, supports women to learn, enjoy steelheading

“There are many challenges to face migration patterns, learning where experience is incredible and empowering as well!”

Minnesota Steelheader (MNST) was formed in 2005 as an organization of passionate, experienced North Shore anglers sharing resources and passing on this fishery to other generations. According to the group’s website, “The MNST team are passionate, un-paid volunteers who donate time and talent working together with a common goal: to conserve the natural steelhead fishery while informing, inspiring, and entertaining veterans and new-comers alike to North Shore trout and salmon fishery.”

MNST Women on the Fly: A Sisterhood of Minnesota Anglers

Murphy is also executive program director of Minnesota Steelheader’s Women on the Fly Program, developed to provide women with the resources necessary to become confident, competent and successful female steelhead anglers.

“Until its debut in April 2016, there were no women’s programs specific to this region or fishery,” Murphy said. “Understanding that women learn best when surrounded by other likeminded women, I decided we needed to launch a women’s program and offer women’s clinics such as our Annual Women on the Fly Spring Steelheading Clinic.”

Spring Steelheading Clinic: A day of learning and fun

This year’s Women on the Fly Spring Steelheading Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, on the Middle Shore River. During this on-the-water clinic, 12 women will learn about the steelhead spawning run, reading water and safe river crossing, plus suitable equipment and techniques. Then hands-on instruction begins.

“The annual Women on the Fly Spring Steelheading Clinic is an amazing opportunity for women to gain on-the-water experience under the guidance of some great, patient, knowledgeable and skilled volunteer instructors (both guy and gal instructors),” Murphy said. “We start the morning reviewing gear and equipment used, talk about the history and migration patterns of our migratory fish, go over how to rig setups, teach about common techniques, presentations and flies, and discuss water and personal safety while fishing alone. After that discussion we wader-up and start hiking down to the river, stopping briefly along the way to show participants different water types and how to identify holding areas for trout. When we make it streamside, we help participants tie up and get them in the water and actively fishing! We work with each participant one-on-one to help with any casting technique and answer any questions they may have.”

Resources are also sent home with participants.

“All participants are also given a USB drive containing all of the information we went over throughout the day so they have it to reference anytime later on should they need to,” Murphy said. “They’re also given the instructors’ contact information and are encouraged to reach out to us with any questions they might have after the clinic. We also have women-specific resources available on our Women on the Fly page on the MNST website. It’s important to have a variety of resources both online and on the water.”

Murphy said the group’s spring clinics are very popular each year.

“The clinic is in very high demand year after year and fills up in just a couple of hours,” she said. “Its success is because we have a fantastic team of volunteer instructors who take the time to teach all of the necessary information and techniques, and they spend one-on-one time with participants on the water to ensure they leave with the confidence, knowledge, and skill needed to start their journeys as steelheaders.” The clinic is a fabulous learning opportunity, but it’s also a lot of fun.

“Our participants always have a great time,” said Murphy. “We strive to provide a fun, patient and supportive environment so everyone is relaxed and there to not only learn but to enjoy the experience! It’s always big smiles and laughter throughout the day!”

Increasing women’s involvement

Murphy said that, with the continued growth and interest in the Women on the Fly Program, women’s involvement has very much carried over to MNST’s other co-ed events.

“Since launching our women’s program, all of our other MNST events’ participants are made up of at least 50% women or more, whereas before Women on the Fly, we’d be lucky to get one or two ladies in attendance,” she explained. “It’s been an incredible shift and reassurance that we are making a positive impact in increasing women’s involvement.”

For more information about the MNST Women on the Fly Program and about steelheading, see www.minnesotasteelheader. com/wotfclinic.html. D