Fly fishing retreat for women grows to Atlantic-wide empowering movement

BROOKFIELD, N.S. — After two years of fishing retreats and extra to return, the variety of ladies taken with fly fishing has grown because of a women-led initiative referred to as Atlantic Girls on the Fly.

“I needed to make it possible for ladies might get the fundamentals, get assured to get their rods tacked up on the river, select what they need to do, know what they’re specializing in and simply be comfy with it,” mentioned Mary Atkinson, of Brookfield.

She and Sali Cunningham of RisePEI just lately obtained the Sportfish Growth Award, for which they have been nominated by Cunningham’s husband. They obtained the award from Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Steve Craig in a ceremony.

“It was humbling and just a little nerve-wracking,” mentioned Cunningham. “I am used to doing displays, I am used to being in entrance of a crowd, however for some motive, I believed I obtained nervous just a little bit.”

Atkinson mentioned it felt like one other “tick on the wall” to have ladies receiving the award for a women-led occasion that empowers ladies. She hopes that receiving the award opens the eyes of others who might not have been conscious of the workshop occasion.

“It was a really heartfelt second, nonetheless very surreal, in a way,” mentioned Atkinson. “I did not see it coming. I did not even suppose we have been on anybody’s radar, to be trustworthy. I do that as a result of I really like creating this and I really like the work with it, and I really like (on the) day of the occasion seeing the camaraderie and the connections taking place. I really like seeing the guides doing what they love.”

A buddy first launched Atkinson to fly fishing in 2012, and he or she discovered it was an effective way to “recharge.” Her life continues on the river, and he or she is now introducing the exercise to her daughter, who’s studying about rivers, species and greatest practices.

However stepping into fly fishing has gender obstacles beginning with the gear. Many of the gaiters and boots are for males, which might make discovering some sizes tough and restricted to lower-end high quality, with some technical capabilities eliminated. There will also be intimidation from lecturers.

Cunningham, who owns Ursa Main Outfitters together with her husband, is versed within the looking world and obtained into fly fishing due to Atkinson and credit her management within the initiative.

“You are continually in a room surrounded by males and no ladies to assist you,” mentioned Cunningham. “So that you needed to get actually broad shoulders and I believed effectively this is not a fantastic factor. I need ladies to really feel comfy doing these items. I need ladies to get pleasure from it the identical method that we will presumably do it. I do not need intimidation, I need equality. And it turned a ardour after we noticed what number of ladies needed to do it. However they have been nervous and frightened of being out on the water with males.”

The group began associating with the worldwide initiative 50/50 On The Water, a motion created by Orvis Fly Fishing. With this system being let go, and a want to create their very own id, the pair shaped Atlantic Girls on the Fly with the purpose of reaching folks in all 4 provinces and showcasing every area’s fly fishing guides and sources.

Their first two years have been at Liscombe Lodge on the Jap Shore, and the occasion is rising quick. The third will happen in Nova Scotia once more, whereas 2024 shall be in New Brunswick on the Miramichi River and the next two years in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“That is one thing that will actually get up Nova Scotia and get up the ladies who need to strive however do not know tips on how to begin,” mentioned Atkinson. “It is not simply standing in a river, there’s loads to it.”

The occasion goes via subjects similar to selecting and tying a fly and the 2 kinds of casting. The instructing staff doesn’t embody any ladies, however all excel. Their arms are open to any angler as effectively, welcoming non-binary members and instructors similar to Mitchell Roberts, who Atkinson described as a “phenomenal angler.”

“Our staff is numerous so far as their time throughout the trade,” mentioned Atkinson. “They’re handpicked understanding that they are going to be educating ladies. So persistence, to get the message throughout, sort of factor, to show and to show fluidly.”

However as Atlantic Girls on the Fly helps unfold the follow, so too does curiosity from members who are actually acquiring information licenses.

“(It) was so essential to me to create one thing like this as a result of our share of ladies guides or ladies who’re at a stage that might educate one thing may be very small,” mentioned Atkinson. “Thoughts you, those that do exist are phenomenal. It is nonetheless very, very small ratio.”

A Fb group is used as a instrument for the members to maintain linked between conferences, organize meetups and ask questions. The main fly fishers are sometimes wanted for recommendation within the welcoming setting and likewise look as much as position fashions similar to Heather Hodson, founding father of United Girls on the Fly.

“As small a demographic of ladies within the trade itself – and that is most likely considered as that as the opposite facet – on the within there’s a whole lot of connection and there is a whole lot of camaraderie and assist,” mentioned Atkinson.