Women Fly Fishers – Where are you?

Women fly fishers are rarely seen on Guysborough County streams. Too bad. Women can enjoy and offer something special to fly fishing, as in other recreations they enjoy.

In Nova Scotia we have BOW, Becoming an Outdoor Woman, an agency that promotes women`s participation in healthy outdoor recreation. I`ve attended two BOW fall conferences as an instructor, so I`ve experienced the extreme enthusiasm of fifty or so women brought together for a few days of canoeing, archery, fly fishing and so on. About half of the participants had attended prior BOW conferences, back again for more. It`s highly recommended. At BOW there`s an opportunity for women to sample several outdoor activities, and if it`s fly fishing that has a special appeal, it would be great to have a club focusing on that sport to help women get started.

Nancy Cairns writes in the current Canadian Fly Fisher issue about a women’s fishing group in Calgary, Alberta, formed in 2007. The club’s mission is to attract women into the sport of fly fishing. The idea is for members to help each other and make the starting process as intimidation free as possible.

“I call it yoga in waders,” explained Anita Wolf, chair of the group. “I feel like we’re getting our therapy and meditation through fly fishing.”  “I think it’s important that everyone should be welcome,” said member Lynda MacLennan. “Women learn differently and this gives women an opportunity to talk about fly fishing in a comfortable environment.”

The club throws monthly potlucks with speakers from the fly fishing community, and holds events like field trips, camping weekends, and instructional sessions with guides. An online calendar allows members to connect. They mark a date they’re available on the calendar and others can sign up to join them. This way they can always find a woman fly fisher to go fishing with. The web site also has a private forum for chatting strategy or just telling stories. For more information about the club, visit their great website www.reelhookersclub.com. Canadian Fly Fisher`s website is www.canflyfish.com.

Our fly-of-the-week is a modern version of the MacIntosh dry fly, the Pink Lady, endorsed by many St. Mary`s River salmon.

Pink Lady

Thread:                       G.S.P. 50 Denier blood red thread

Hook:                          Dry fly hook like Mustad 94840 or Partridge Bomber hook in sizes 8-2

Tail:                             Pink Polypropylene yarn

Body:                          Pink Polypropylene yarn on rear half of hook shank

Wing:                          Grey Squirrel Tail tied flat and horizontal on front half of hook shank

Hackle:                       One or two pink saddle hackles, tied dry fly style on front half of hook shank, leaving room for a neat fly head

Head:                          Blood red thread finished with 2 coats Angler’s Corner Wet Head Cement

Enjoy your fishing and please stay on the line …