Women in Fly Fishing

by Brian Kozminski, True North Trout

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

women involved to become members? I think a good way to get TU connected to more women is to get TU involved in area community events, not just in a specific fishing way. Find other organizations whose missions are centered on an appreciation for the outdoors, and find ways to partner with them. It is a great way to network and find people that like to fish or people who never have before that may be interested.

Also, holding community outreach programs/events where you advertise on social media and at local businesses. Where I work at WLAC, if it weren’t for COVID, we would be holding events where we invite people in the community that aren’t even within our organization. For example, we have a women’s breakfast once a year where we invite women from the community to eat breakfast and listen to speakers (local business owners, skilled women, etc.). The event isn’t land trust-related necessarily, so it gets outsiders interested in what we do. I definitely wouldn’t be interested in fishing if it weren’t for Sam. It just took one person who was passionate about it for me to appreciate it. opportunity, and representation is how to get more ladies involved in the community and, in turn, wanting to give back and protect the water and fisheries that hold the soul of the communities.

Chelsea Olivarez, Hair Dresser/Salon Owner/ Adventurer

When were you introduced to fishing? I was exposed to fishing at a super young age, but I think I held my very own rod at age 4. In 1999, I caught my first bluegill on a worm. Safe to say, I was the one who got hooked.

By whom? I grew up in Southern California, and every man in my family from both sides was an angler of some sort. My family on the coast was super into deep-sea fishing at the time, while my dad’s side was closer to the mountains and freshwater. I can still vividly remember the first carp I ever caught and the biggest, for that matter. My cousin Ashley and I named it, just in time for my Papa to turn it into carp stew…lol…come to think about it, maybe that’s why I prefer catch-and-release now. RIP “Carly Carp;” I am told she was delicious.

How did you progress into fly fishing? I didn’t pick up a fly rod until I was 21. An old friend of mine gifted me a TFO BVK 8wt and a few lines and taught me how to cast. Eventually, I learned to tie a Clouser minnow and caught my first bass on the fly shortly after. Later that same year, I was introduced to a group of guides on the Pere Marquette River, where I heard the term “trout bum” for the first time. I’ll never forget how hard I laughed that weekend, especially at the fact that I’d never wanted to be a “bum” of any kind so bad in my life. Had it not been for them, I may still be blind to the community of conservationists and enthusiasts that make up the fly industry, and for that, I am forever grateful. An underrated bunch, I’d say. Now, I’ve caught almost 20 species on the fly across the country, with many more on the agenda.

How would you suggest non-profit groups get

more women involved to become members? To get more women involved in groups like TU, we need to get more women involved in the sport. In my experience, the biggest barrier for women getting involved in the industry is proper resources. A lot of us were introduced to fishing by dad, or grandpa, or boyfriend, who had all the right tools in the garage waiting for us. So in a predominantly male sport, it can be intimidating to know where to start, let alone having the means to do so.

Creating specific opportunities for women to get on the water and trying it out without breaking the bank gives a larger group of ladies from all backgrounds the chance to see if it’s something they’re interested in. In reality, I still fish with my gifted rod, and had it not been a gift, I wouldn’t be where I am as a fly angler. I believe giving women equal

Amber Casey, Elk Hunter/Outdoor Adventure Seeker

When were you introduced to fishing? By whom?

I’m sure I was on a boat before I could walk and casting a Snoopy pole before I could ride a bike. My mom, dad, two older brothers, and I took a lot of weekend or day trips up north somewhere, and fishing was always involved, whether it was from the bank or a small aluminum boat we could barely fit in (my parents still use that boat). Fishing mainly consisted of small lakes searching for bluegill, perch, or any other panfish—nobody really did the river fishing.

How did you progress into fly fishing? So my husband is the one who first got me out on a riverbank when we were dating, but with spin gear. I’ve always had an infatuation with fly fishing, so when I finally had the time and money to do it, I picked up a cheap fly rod from Cabela’s and just did it. Up until this year, I really only went out barely once a year. Boy, did that change this year—thanks to some people I’ve met over the years. I’ve learned so much, and I love it! My bank account has taken a hit, though. Fly fishing is now my go-to.

How would you suggest non-profit groups like TU

get more women involved to become members? As for getting more involved in fly fishing...just do it. Don’t be intimated. Research it, or ask around. I can assure you somebody is willing to take a newbie out fishing. The Schrems Chapter TU holds an annual Women on the Water sponsored by dry fly sales at Gates Lodge or on the Pere Marquette, while the Michigan Department of Natural Resources hosts BOW (Becoming an Outdoors Woman) with a large variety of outdoor activities with knowledgeable guides and hands-on learning for all experience levels. There will be an increased benefit down the road for all of us if we share our passion for the outdoors.