Michigan Trout Unlimited
MICHIGAN Trout
Women in Fly Fishing
20
by Brian Kozminski,True North Trout
Summer 2021
Curious trends are happening across the U.S. and elsewhere in the world— the recent COVID pandemic has sent people outdoors, finding trails, parks, campsites, and nature preserves many didn’t know existed. We have more hikers, bikers, campers, canoers, and fishers than ever. The fastest and most surprising sub-section of this group is the female fly angler. I recently had the opportunity to float with a few lady anglers, and we began talking about how they got started in fly fishing. I began to wonder how we could engage more women in the sport. So we had a casual conversation over shore lunch and started the dialogue, “How to get more women into fly fishing?” Dani Knoph, Local Artist, KNOPH Studios DK Wildlife When were you introduced to fly fishing? By whom? My parents bought me a TFO fly rod as a birthday gift when I was living on my own Out West, at the age of about 24. I’d taken an interest in salmon. But I didn’t start using the rod until I moved back to Michigan. Once I began learning about trout in Northern Michigan rivers, a long-term relationship with fish began to unfold. I signed up for casting lessons, attended the TU fly school at Ranch Rudolph, and made it a personal goal to schedule a float trip every year. What do you like most about being on the water? I love the solitude, peace and quiet, beauty, and wonder of being on a well-preserved river. It’s always a pleasure to see wildlife along the way. This is what keeps me coming back to fly fishing. How would you suggest getting more women involved in fly fishing? Hosting annual or bi-annual overnight/weekend events for women so that they can build on skills over long periods of time is an idea. Breakout sessions could divvy up the greater group by skill level. I’d suggest hosting it at one of the lodges on the rivers or at a place nearby water, where participants can get their hands wet. Just make sure to leave time at the end of the day for a glass of wine! Heather Hettinger, DNR Fisheries Biologist, Lake Michigan Basin When were you introduced to fishing? In-utero? Seriously, I was born in the middle of steelhead season, and infant car seats fit on the floor of Ranger bass boats under the consoles. I don’t ever remember a time not being on the water. By whom? Pretty much everyone on the maternal side
of my family but especially my parents. My dad grew up trout/steelhead fishing, and by the time I came along, he was tournament bass fishing across the Midwest. The first thing my grandfather did when he came home from WWII was buy a cabin on the Little Manistee River. That cabin later progressed to a cottage on an inland lake, but my mom and her sister were subsequently always raised on the water. Lots of weekend afternoons in the summer spent on a pontoon boat—grandpa driving, while grandma was pulling bluegills off my hook. How did you progress into fly fishing? Between my career as a fisheries biologist, my guide/former charter boat captain husband, and my lifestyle, fishing, and fish have always been an intricate part of my life. Admittedly, fly fishing is not my primary means of angling. I am definitely a spinning gear girl. But for smallmouth and panfish in some of the small kettle lakes around me, a popper bite on a light rod is one of my favorite things. How would you suggest non-profit groups get more women involved to become members? I struggle with this one sometimes. I grew up in a family and in a group of hunters and anglers who didn’t treat me any different being a girl than they would have if I was a boy. Now in adulthood, I don’t want to be catered to by a group simply because I am female. I just want to be treated the same. I understand that some women who are new to hunting and angling don’t necessarily feel that way because the whole thing intimidates them, so I personally feel as though you have to be cognizant of both camps of women. Definitely hold events and workshops catered to women who are new at the sport and provide them a quality space to develop their interests, but don’t forget about the women who have been there all along and just want to be seen as equals. Louise Mooradian, Office Administrator, Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy When were you introduced to fishing? What did you like the most about being on the water? I was introduced to fly fishing about a year ago by Sam De Jonge (True North Trout). What I like most about being on the water is that I think it is very relaxing. It is one of the few ways I have found to give me the opportunity to be outside literally all day long and appreciate nature in the peace and quiet. I progressed in fly fishing by going out with Sam and really listening to him because he is a great teacher. It took me a few times for it to click. How would you suggest non-profit groups get more
