Fishing a Female Sport? Do Women Really Like It?

by Terri Mackinnon

Although I had the opportunity to go fishing when I was younger as I was heading out the door to go fishing with the local boys I also heard, "Why are you going? Fishing was for the boys!" I quickly put down the fishing rod that I had picked up and decided to stay back. I'm not sure why I didn't question it but I accepting the fact that maybe they were right after all I probably didn't really want to touch those worms or heaven help those fish anyway.

Quite a few years later I had the opportunity to go fishing again. But by this time I had completely convinced myself that not only was fishing for the boys, it was also something that I did not see myself wanting to participate in. However, it was a date and I said I would at least try.

"I'm going to teach you how to feed your family", he proudly told me.

Fishing season opened a couple months later and again he brought me to the annual weekend away with his fishing buddy to compete in the opening season derby. I'm not sure how thrilled his buddy was, but I guess it was better then being told that he was going to be completely left behind. We had a really good weekend and I was able to keep up with the boys and at some points I even out fished them. It was actually at that time that I knew I was definitely Hooked!

I knew the reasons that I had got hooked on fishing, but I started to look for the reasons that other women also participated and what made them as passionate about it as I was.

I found out that most of the girls that fished did so because of one of the following reasons:

• Ø Family member had taken them when they were younger.
• Seeking adventures but once they start catching fish they usually become hooked themselves.
• It also provided a new form of competition - Sometimes it's you against the fish but most of the time you will find it against anyone in your boat or on shore.
• Peace and serenity are so easily obtained in the outdoors and fishing allows us the time to sit back and enjoy what is around us a kind of hydrotherapy of the soul.
• The opportunity to bond and share memories with family and friends
• Most fisher people become hooked because of the challenge of the unknown.

Women have been known to be naturally better anglers then men and it's felt that this is so because they have a slower more understanding relationship with nature. There need to decompress their lives is a large part of what women are searching for when they become hooked on fishing.

The natural process of women is to find comfort and security for their families in all environments. Women tend to be the creator of cherished memories and fishing offers many opportunities to share and laugh about the every day lives they are living.

A not so well known fact is Women have been fishing for over 500 years documented. There is a book called "Reel Women the world of women who fish" by author Lyla Foggia. She documents how women's roles in tribes were that of the fisher and that of the men in the village as the hunters.

Many famous women enjoy fishing, some of them include Sarah Palin the ex running mate for the seat of Vice President with Republican John McCain, LPGA Pro Beth Daniels carries a fishing rod in her practice time, songstress Sondra Rankin sings about her love and Reba McEntire lives on a beautiful fishery in Nashville and enjoys her time she gets to escape.

Let's not forget actress Meryl Steep who made flyfishing not only look easy but graceful in her movies. There are many actresses that have a passion to get out and cast a line, Heather Thomas, Jane Seymour, Stephanie Powers are just a few of the many who enjoy the benefits and peace that fishing gives them in their lives.

Women now also have their own television shows dedicated to fishing and the great outdoors. Shows like Fishing with Shelley and Courtney were one of the leading female hosted fishing shows in Canada also Kathryn Maroon host one of thetop flyfishing shows What a Catch. Her weekly show has Kathryn traveling around the world to some of the best fisheries that exist worldwide.

Sarah Palin from Alaska has a secret in her own backyard and actually owned a fishing company with her family in the 1990's with her husband Todd. They operated a commercial salmon fishing operation in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

According to New Mexico Independent writer Joel Gay he recounts how "they were one of his favorite fishermen and one of his top salmon producers." She is an avid fisher and hunter and promoter of the outdoors.

Professional female anglers now exist in the deep seas and also now competitively. They were given the opportunity to compete against each other when the organization formed the ESPN/Women's Bassmasters Tour which unfortunately has had to take a break due to the economics at this time.

The tour has grabbed much attention with sponsors such as Academy Outdoors Stores. Women were eagerly taking out their boats and heading around the U.S chasing the tournament trail bug it was an exciting time that hopefully will be happening again soon.

Recently I started questioning professional anglers and fishers as to who introduced them into the fishing world and I was shocked to hear the following almost consistently said, "Grandma or my Mom!" Yes not Dad or Grandpa because they were to busy providing for the family. The children were left to the care of the remaining parent or grandparent and it was at this time that they were taken to the local fishing hole to cast a rod.

There was a time that even imagining that a pink fishing rod would even exist was just not going to be a possibility. At least that is what I believed, however look around you I'm sure that you will find one at your local tackle shop. Let's not also forget those accessories... pink tackle boxes and lures, vests and fashion clothing all made to make sure we always feel welcome into a male dominating sport. Well look out boys it looks like the girls will not only out fish you but they will be looking good when they catch more then you! If you want some great tips to take your family out fishing check out online and you will find information that is available to make it easy for you to now enjoy a day out experiencing how to fish. Getting to know your family without a cellphone in their hand is one benefit that will forever be a memory your child will carry forever.