Women's Fly Fishing Tips, Clubs and Gear - How to get started

Now that you’ve finally decided to learn how to fly-fish, there are a few things you should about how to get started properly.


I had a hard time finding help to get started and I didn't have good luck finding women-friendly fly shops. I was intimidated by joining a club because I thought it would only be hard core women or men that wanted nothing to do with women! I decided to find local fly fishing guides who were "women friendly" to help me along.


Here are some helpful tips that may apply to some new anglers:


1. Search for how to books, videos and articles: there is endless information on the internet and helpful hints and great articles on fly fishing tips on fly casting, knots, gear, equipment, float tubing, etiquette and more or you could visit your local book store, or video store and rent an instructional video.


2. Women’s fly fishing blogs: Search the internet for blogs that may apply. These women anglers started just as you are now, and typically have valuable information and resources to get you headed in the right direction and save you time and money.


3. Join a women's fly-fishing group: Some useful resources may be a phone book, internet or ask your local sporting goods stores for recommendations.


4. Women's fly-fishing schools or classes: It is always helpful to take a class on fly fishing to learn the basics of casting and fly techniques. Some classes are privately run by fly fishing guides and some are offered by colleges. Some useful resources may be a phone book, internet or ask your local sporting goods stores for recommendations.


5. Fly fishing guides that are women friendly: scan the internet for local fly fishing guides and see if they have photos in their gallery of women customers.


6. Organize your own class: If you have a few friends that share your same desire to learn, you could hire a local fly fishing guide to come in and teach a class privately.


7. Attend a sports and outdoor show: many include workshops or demonstrations on fly-fishing and casting clinics.


There are many clubs and organizations around now that deal specifically with woman’s fly fishing. One such organization is International Women Fly Fishers, an international non-profit organization which brings women interested in fly fishing together from all over the world, and also have a directory of women’s fly fishing in the United States and from around the world.

Here are a few clubs and organizations in Michigan:


• Flygirls of Michigan


7315 Altadena


Royal Oak, MI 48067


Website: http://www.flygirls.ws/  


Email: tinastraw@comcast.net  


Activities: networking, fishing outings, learning events (casting, fly tying, entomology, rod building), newsletter, breast cancer recovery retreats, mentoring young female anglers. Mission: To provide a forum for education, fishing, and stewardship for women through the sport of fly fishing.


• Reeling & Healing Midwest


4410 S. Sweetwater Lane


Branch, MI 49402


Website: http://www.reelingandhealingmidwest.org/


Email: info@reelingandhealingmidwest.org  


501(c)(3) Nonprofit that champions fly fishing retreats for women battling & surviving cancer. 100% volunteer-staffed, 100% donor-supported. New participant retreats, reunion retreats, custom facility/organization retreats and on-going education are offered. Covering Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio & Indiana.


• Flygirls


P.O. Box 828


Pentwater, MI 49449


Website: http://www.flygirls.ws/


email: jdschramm@oceana.net  


Activities: networking, fishing outings, learning events (casting, fly tying, entomology, rod building), newsletter, breast cancer recovery retreats, mentoring young female anglers. Mission: To provide a forum for education, fishing, and stewardship for women through the sport of fly fishing.


For more fishing clubs and organizations in Michigan visit http://www.fishingworks.com/fishing-clubs-organizations/michigan/  


Simply search for “women fly fishing clubs and organizations” with in your own state for listings on the internet.

Fly Fishing Gear for Women


Men and women are not created equal in body shape. For many years if you were a woman wanting to get into the sport of fly fishing, you would have had to purchase gear tailored for a men. Recently the variety of fly fishing gear available for women to buy has improved considerably. The big fly fishing manufacturers have started to realize that women are an increasingly growing segment of the fly fishing market, and have started making equipment specific for women. Whether a woman is looking to buy freshwater fly fishing gear, or saltwater fly fishing gear, there is now equipment specifically available.


Men and women are not created equally, not in body shape that is and thanks the heavens for that! So why would women fly fishers want to wear or use downsized men’s fly fishing apparel/gear? You no longer have too. Several fly fishing manufacturers are finally designing fly fishing waders, clothing and gear for the women fly fisher.


Here are a few quality fly fishing products from Simms and Sage to start with more to come


Sage, makers of some of the finest fly rods in the fly fishing industry (such as the Sage Smallmouth Fly Fishing Rod), now make a fly fishing rod tailor made for women, the Sage Z-Axis Small Grip Fly Rod. This rod suits women anglers because it has a smaller grip, and is designed to be light.


Simms has now launched waders that are specifically shaped to fit women, the Simms Women’s Headwater Waders. These stocking foot waders are excellent quality, and are made from 3-layer Gore-Tex material. Simms also make wading boots specifically designed for women, the Simms Women’s Headwaters Boot, which are narrower than equivalent men’s wading boot, are lightweight, and are ideally suited for women.


Although women have fly fished for nearly as long as men have, fly fishing has recently become a very popular activity and sport for women. As more women discover the peace and tranquility to be had with fly fishing, and how truly relaxing a day of fly fishing can be, this exciting sport can’t help but grow in popularity.