Fox Lake
Polly, the Fly Fisher Lady, does not write often enough, but read but a few passages and you will sense you wish she did. Just enough to titillate and perhaps that is the intent. An enjoyable read from the UK.
The picture has nothing to do with Polly’s blog. I just thought it was equally interesting.
Renowned fly fisher and advocate for women's rights
You are probably unaware, from life experiences, that once a woman takes to the wheel the community is rife with lust, infidelity and debauchery. That is the assessment of the ruling class in Saudia Arabia.
“In a typical move by the highest religious council in Saudi Arabia, clerics recently announced that if women were allowed to drive in their country, it would lead to “no more virgins” in the Kingdom.
The statement says a lot about the view of women in Saudi Arabia. First, it basically implies that women are all whores who are looking for indiscriminate sex around every corner. Men have to retain strict control over women’s movements, the sheikhs say, because women themselves, if given the slightest opportunity—the slightest freedom—will run around seducing anything that moves.” (more)
As you know doubt know, if you have followed here for several years, Ms. Judd has involved herself to promote women’s causes in France and the U.S. Often she participates sans clothing as a way of expressing women’s independence from the manipulations of men. Given her staging venue, Berdie assured me that she would not, that is not, be communicating without clothing.
Berdie said the abuses via the ‘theothugs’ must stop. She further slung Latin at me that I had to look up: res ipsa loquitur (‘it speaks for itself’). When I wrote back if she had been fly fishing of late, she responded that she had recently traveled, this Summer, to SE Europe, India and Spain to fish. I hope to eventually receive an update re her exploits. Happy New Year Berdie and please keep your top on. (you can enter Berdie’s name in the ‘search’ box and get up to date on her past exploits)
Have you noticed, of late, that this is almost the obligatory statement re women and the sport? I wonder if it is true? Oh my! Did I ask that? Well, I wonder. Most accomplished women I know are competitive and goal oriented. Apparently accomplished women don’t do well in the sport? Oh hell, I don’t know.
Just seems like a statement proffered enough that it is just accepted as a given to avoid the fall out/blow back. I will agree that the endeavor does give a sense of achievement and pride. I imagine men enjoy the same sense of enjoyment when they aren’t competing and quoting how many fish they have caught.
What is to be gained by raising this now? I just hate the stereotypical, lock step in any cast. Perhaps the fly fishing industry, women’s clubs and causes present this to enlist women and remove the perceptions of difficulty and male dominance?
Well, the more women the better, but seriously drop the silly ass kissing. Women can indeed often hold their own in fly fishing.
Also, how did Herbert get so eloquent? Obviously not a competitive, goal oriented bone is his body.
Elkhorn Ladies Series T Fly Reel
The Pink Series Elkhorn Fly Rod
ELKHORN FLY ROD & REEL & Project Healing Waters
Women Fly Fishers Long Ago
No, nothing complicated or intriguing to say re women fly fishing. I thought the poster was symbolic of times past and those women that ventured into the sport in a place far away. Did they tag along with the ‘bums’ of the past? They weren’t pushing a piece for Vanity Fair. They probably weren’t of celebrity status and spoon fed by some guide (least I want to believe that). Just ahead of their times and however they got there, I like it. Many of us pickup a rod to be near those we admire, love or just like to be around. The passion for this sport only ignites for one’s self once you internally get it. Once you are self contained and passionate about the experience then it doesn’t matter who led you to the water. You get it and need it.
Maryam Peigahi of Damsel Flies Fishing Club
“Many of life’s passages leave women akin to a light house on the Oregon coast: weathered, worn, stronger, still standing. The trials of death, divorce, children, health, elder parents, career….the list of life goes on….it tests our resolve, sometimes day after day. So, the other evening I made my way to a club outing (practicing our casting at an area park) for the Damsel Flies, I was self absorbed with my life’s concerns. I arrived and saw the familiar faces and some new faces. I was pleased to see newer faces because it means the club is vital and growing. It has been a positive experience in my life.
But, as I stood there something else occurred to me. I am not alone, as a woman, with the travails of life. As I gazed out at the familiar faces I knew that many, all?, of these women have withstood enormous hardships, heart breaks and the joys of life. Yet, here they stood before me as positive, supportive mentors and ready friends. No need to pour out anyone’s latest woes. Rather, there is quiet strength and warmth from these stalwart women. I was comforted and renewed.
A club provides outings, how to information, the basics for fly fishing or tying. But, this women’s club provides something deeper and more meaningful: quiet reassurance and hope for moving through life and surviving the unique passages of women. I am happy to be part of the Damsel Flies Fly Fishing club. Locate a club near you and join. The advantages are deeper than you might at first expect.” Maryam Peigahi
I believe the advantages of clubs are there for men, women and children depending upon the makeup of the club. It is important to note though what Ms. Peigahi pointed to above….sometimes just being around others that have experienced similar hardships is reassuring and supportive. Some of these lessons may not be realized at the time. I can think of several gentlemen, who have passed on, whom I fished with years ago. In my intense, make the most of every moment fishing, I did notice they were not all that concerned with fishing. They were just out there. Their loss I thought at the time. No, my loss. I should have spent a little more time visiting and listening. They were winding down in life. We may not have even talked about anything too deep. Rather I would just have noted their tempo, their expressions, their joy at just being alive and out there. Slow down, look and take it in like Ms. Peigahi did. Blessings abound where you least expect them.
Damsel Flies Fly Fishing Group
Worse than anatomical envy is fish envy? As I perused FB tonight, I observed one pic after another of large steelhead and trout. Big fish, big flies? I mean it is so enticing, so powerful a draw. And yet, there I sit. Squinting even with my 2x googles. Bobbing back and forth to come into focus on a size 24 hook. Tying the simplest fly of a single strand of Krystal Flash drawn out to take the kink out. A simple tiny craft yarn was used for the thorax. Tying a small fly (midge), of late, has become a tying right of passage. Yet those slabs…… Fish envy is a nagging attack on your self worth. Look at April Vokey with yet another beautiful fish, then look down at the dime. Hmmm? Identity crisis and at my age.
Berdie Judd has decided to move to just outside of Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK and reside with Charles Bradford, a well traveled researcher, who has spent much of his adult life categorizing insects and aquatic creatures in SE Europe.
Berdie recently appeared on a podcast to provide new details regarding her literary aspirations. She wants to write and publish a series of books about her travels and escapades. Judd believes that her life experiences offer up wisdom and solace for other women, who travel about in pursuit of fish, while in a predominantly male sport and business culture.
Judd was asked by the podcast moderator if her forays into nudity in France and the United States detracted from her stature as an advocate for women to enter into fly fishing competition and participate in the marketing of the sport. Judd remarked that perhaps her critics sell women short. Judd believes women can sort out life’s ups and downs. Women understand the yearnings to experience life beyond the expected confines for most women.
Berdie Judd was asked if she had been fishing lately. She answered she had just recently fished near home on the rivers Avon and Nadder. She has slowly converted her partner, Bradford, over to fly fishing and enjoys his company exploring their new world around Salisbury in Wiltshire. Berdie and Charles are entertaining joining The Salisbury & District Angling Club. Berdie promises to keep a very low profile. We shall see…………….. Many thanks for the update Berdie.
Just in case you have been tucked away in a bat cave sans Wi Fi? I think in some parts (many parts) of the fly fishing arena you could say April and have the same knowing awareness as Oprah (tsk tsk)
By no means is my weather comparable to what is pounding the East. It is 30 degrees out and my rig is encased in ice this morning, a by product of freezing rain and living close to Troutdale (Oregon) and the Gorge. Temps are promised to rise to the mid 40′s by 9am. Don’t think so, but sometime soon.
So, my mind wanders to a peaceful Summer afternoon on a lake, moving about the edges with Damsels flitting about. Warmth and fruitful calculations. Observations that can be worked upon. My recent chuck and chance it forays into the Spey world are more like casting with a hood on right now, so the day dream of warmth and certainty is appealing. Only five or so more months to go…….
Love the Damsel (TMuncy~SwittersB)
Damsels Delight Others Too (SwittersB)
