Thinking about taking up flyfishing? You've picked a great time. Gone are the days of over-sized rubber boots, borrowed flannel shirts and one-size-fits-almost-all tackle vests. No longer will you hear stream-side groans of"what is she doing here?"
Women are now flocking to the flyfishing arena. The advent of graphite rods cut the weight of a typical outfit in half, and since then flyfishing has left the realm of aficiando and started catering to the masses. It isn't necessary to practice for frustrating weeks now to throw a decent loop 60 feet. With proper lessons, a novice angler can be effectively working a river in a matter of days.
Today there is a wide variety of equipment specifically tailored for women. From re-fitted waders to small-grip rods, flyfishing is a sport where you no longer have to compensate for being female. Being petite and finer muscled doesn't mean you can't cast as far or fish as well as men; it just means you need to approach equpiment from a different perspective.
"I never use anything heavier than a 6-weight unless I absolutely have to, " explains Joan Wulff, world-class caster and internationally-recognized angler. This brings up an excellent point about rods. For the female gender, the lighter the rod, the better. Let's face it, men have stronger wrists and larger hands than women, which allows them to control larger, heavier rods for longer periods of time. Women once had to learn to compensate for this, but they no longer have to.
A cast of 50 feet, plenty of distance for most angling situations, can be achieved with finesse and good timing. Rod weight has little to do with casting accuracy, and brute strength has nothing to do with being able to snap a tight loop or shoot a line. The key to casting is proper technique and tackle. Choose your gear carefully; and you'll be fishing with the best of them.
Flyrods
Two significant physical differences between men and women are hand size and wrist strength. These distinctions affect every relationship you have with a rod. Salesmen, or well-intentioned husbands, may try to push a rod that they personally prefer. Don't listen to a word they say. What's right for the gander is often times very unweildy for the goose. Women should look for softer-action rods utilizing older-generation graphite design, like IM6. These place less stress on wrists and forearms, allowing the female angler to make repetitive casts over longer periods without discomfort. Newer generation rods, utilizing IMX and GLX blanks, are high-speed casting tools. They require stouter wrists and forearms to cast for any length of time. Listen to your body, not the hype.
Do not underestimate the importance of grip size when purchasing a rod. The grip plays a key role in casting. A poorly-balanced rod creates tension on the wrist and hand, often forcing over-compensation on the cast-forward motion. A forceful splash when line hits the water is hardly tempting to any trout. In order to avoid bad habits before they start, purchase a rod with a grip that conforms to your hand size. If you find yourself straining to hold a rod, don't buy it. If you are having trouble finding a rod with an appropriate grip, have the grip modified to fit your hand. Many rod manufacturers and flyshops customize grips to suit individual specifications.
When Winston enlisted the help of Joan Wulff as technical advisor, they developed a collection of rods designed with the female angler in mind. Designed with soft-action graphite and smaller grips with thumb depressions, the"Joan Wulff Favorites" are rods that far exceed the standards of any so-called "women's rod."
Accessories
Waders are a must-have for any serious flyfisher, yet only a few years ago the only waders that fit women were those made for boys. This is no longer the case. Simms tops my list of innovative manufacturerswith their figure-flattering Women's Neoprene Stockingfoots ($199.95). Orvis also makes Women's stockingfoot neoprenes ($175) and Women's bootfoot neoprene waders ($239). For the more thrift-minded, Cabela's also offers women's stockingfoot neoprene waders (59.95). Felt-soled wading boots are also necessary. Simms ($79.95), Orvis ($75) and Cabela's ($49.95) have boots in women's sizes.
When matching waders with boots, make sure the boot is large enough for a roomy fit. Ill-sized boots force wader stocking feet to fold over inside, creating painful blisters.
Vest designs have also undergone major changes. From attractive floral-trimmed patterns to muted colors which step away from the typical tan, flyfishing vests are now designed to fit a woman's body.
Gender-neutral fly-tackle packs are a superb alternative to vests. Preferred by professionals, they are available in a variety of colors and styles. Slung across your shoulder, packs prevent the stress of over-heavy vests.
Check out your favorite flyshop and see what they have to offer in women's style. If it's your first visit, or you haven't been in a while, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Beth Parento is a flyfisher living at just under 10,000-feet in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A freelance outdoor writer and columnist, she is the founder of the Women Flyfishers of the Rocky Mountains.
Special thanks to Quest - Global Angling Adventures for the photo.
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All Original Material © Beth Parento.
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