Hooks, Rods, Reels and High Heels – Fishing Is Just Not A Guy’s Thing Anymore

By Sherri Russell

Hey ladies, you don’t have to be a “tom boy” to like to fish. I am certainly not your typical fishing person and I’m not shy to show it either. I am a “girly-girl” at heart who truly loves the sport of fishing. I am who I am and I like what I like.


Last week, I overheard some locals mentioning that the Salmon were running. The Salmon are running…and I thought to myself, boy, I would surely love the experience of catching such a large fish...So, I decided to take action and plan a fishing trip on the Muskegon River with local fisherman, Jim Churchill, of Riverside Outfitters LLC.


When my scheduled fishing day finally arrived, I was so excited that I could hardly stand it! I was like a kid in a candy store. I got prepared and headed off to meet Jim at the designated launch. Once I arrived, I got out of my vehicle and proceeded to walk towards him. Jim stopped and looked at me in surprise and asked me if I was planning on fishing in high heels. I laughed and said “you betcha, these are my lucky high heel shoes”. He said that he had thought he had seen it all until that day. So, he invited me to step on board his riverboat. Jim started the motor and away we went down the river in search for Salmon. We traveled for a while, and then proceeded to slow down and stop and anchor. Anxious to fish, Jim then outfitted me with all the proper gear and explained exactly what I needed to do to catch a Salmon.


So I cast one time, two times, three times and then four times and WHAM…! I suddenly realized that I just hooked a fish! Jim was instructing me every step of the way, pole up, pole down, reel in, let the drag out etc… it was so exciting that my heart was racing from the thrill and the challenge of getting that enormous fish into the boat without losing it…the 30lb power pro test line held up great…Finally after 10-15 minutes, the Salmon tired out and we netted it and got it into the boat. We were both truly amazed at the size of the fish. Not just any fish, but a huge 18lb male Salmon. I told him my catch was attributed to my lucky high heel shoes and my natural casting ability and he chuckled and said, “you amaze me…it very well could be”.


Jim then gave me my 18lb prize fish and showed me how to handle it properly. I struck a pose and held the fish while he took my picture. Boy, it was quite a day and an awesome experience that I will never forget, like a first kiss.


I then realized that I should share this story with others so that they may be inspired to sometimes take action and create their own experiences in life or it will pass them by before they know it.


Taking "time out" by fishing can be a great way to offset some of the many challenges and stresses that we women all seem to be faced with today. Sometimes just being somewhere away from the fast pace of life - even if just for a few hours - can provide a new perspective and a fresh outlook.


Fishing as a hobby is continuously growing with women and that is why the estimated number of women who acquire fishing licenses each year is more than 12 million.


So ladies, I encourage you to support our local fishing guides and take “time out” for yourselves, get out the pole, put on your lucky high heels, step onto the boat to see what you can do. Most of all have fun and good luck!


I can’t wait to go out and fish again.


For more information on Jim Churchill's guide service log onto: http://riversideoutfittersllc.com/site/ and for more information on Western Michigan fishing guides log onto http://www.hesslakerentals.com/