Fly Fishing: Are Women ‘Often Better’?

 “Fly fishing gives women in particular a great sense of achievement and pride. Women are often better suited to fly fishing than men because they tend to be less competitive and less goal-oriented.”

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.

“To go fishing is the chance of washing one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of the sun on blue water.”  – Herbert Hoover, devoted angler and thirty-first President of the United States. (source)

Fly Fishing and Binocularss

I came upon this actually simple, effective idea in a small gem…The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing by Kirk Deeter and Charlie Meyers. The late Mr. Meyers (C.M. in the book) offers up the idea of carrying a small pair of binoculars when fishing to scout a body of water for fish activity. He mentions being higher up on say an embankment. I wonder if this might work from a perch on a pontoon or drift boat on a lake. Couldn’t hurt to have them for hillside observations of deer, elk, bear or tree top eagles. 

This is a nice little book for beginners. Deeter & Meyers provided practical information for the novice fly fisher and good refresher info for us all.

Fishing and the Lunar Phases

New Moon & Full Moon...Is it important to your fishing?

I have enjoyed some magical fishing by moonlight. Actually, by the last light of the day and as darkness fell my son and I worked our way back to our put in point. The fishing was phenomenal while the moon light bathed the lake’s calm surface. Well not totally calm because the Kamloops trout (oops) were working hard. Was that memorable moment because of the moon? I have always linked the two but really only guessed. 

For many of us that is enough to plan our next outings around a full moon. We even spread the word and perhaps others think…’hey why not….maybe…’. So I offer up a piece that is perhaps right up the alley of the frequent angler looking for an edge. It may be too complicated for some or add veracity to already held beliefs.   LUNAR PHASES & ANGLING  

Being more of a once in a Blue Moon Angler of late, I will tuck this info away by narrowing it down to the key points and see if my outings verify it in the years to come. I don't fish enough to keep a log. But, lunar and barometer considerations are worth charting or at least noting. SwittersB