Women get hooked on the art of fly fishing By Cathy Herholdt, Journal Newspapers June 07, 2005 Stacy Stratton, president of the Northwest Women Flyfishers, holds up a Dolly Varden on the Skagit River. Fly fishing has been steadily gaining popularity as a sport for women over the past few decades. Historically a men's sport, more and more women are being lured to fly fishing. Members of the Northwest Women Flyfishers say they now see almost as many women as men on the rivers and lakes in Washington. Rosemary Weise has been fly fishing since 1980. She's watched the sport spread among women over the past 25 years. While she still has her first pair of waders, which were men's, she is glad to see that many companies now make gear specifically for women, including waders, rods and reels. "It's a much more pleasant experience now," she said. As a child, she did other kinds of fishing with her dad, but he wouldn't teach her how to fly fish. Her grandma said it was because she was a better caster than him. "Women tend to be pretty good at accuracy," said Weise, who credits women's patience for their inherent skill. Weise tries to get on a river at least once a week, often times by herself. "I really enjoy fishing in rivers. You stand in the middle and the rhythmic action is very soothing," she said. Weise lives near Green Lake and takes occasional casting classes at the pier, always hoping to improve. Many who saw the 1992 film A River Runs Through It were swept away by the romance of fly fishing and ran out to buy a rod and reel. But typical of most Hollywood façades, they quickly discovered there was much more to fly fishing than standing in a stream and throwing out a line. As a result, only a few persevered until they acquired the skill and finesse necessary to truly enjoy the sport. "So much of the first years are spent untangling and unhooking yourself," said Seattle resident Beth Kuhn, 30. "It's frustrating as a beginner." Kuhn, who believes she may be the youngest member of the Northwest Women Flyfishers, has found enthusiasm that matches her own among other women in the club. Kuhn, who comes from a fishing family, joined the organization four years ago to learn new techniques and hear great speakers at the club's monthly meetings. Calling the Yakima River her "home waters," and getting out fishing several times a month, she recently bought a piece of property nearby where she's building a log cabin. "I like the potential of it - starting out the day full of hope - not knowing how all the elements of fly fishing will come together," she explained. "I like the mystery of it. It's a metaphor for life...you have to have a lot of faith. If you don't have much success one day, you know you will again. It's pretty magical." While some prefer to stand on the banks or wade into a river, Kuhn prefers to fish from a boat. "It's much more exciting, especially if you have any kind of 'fishing ADD,'" she said. "There's always something new coming up." Judy Graham of Olympia had a hard time finding other women to fish with when she joined the Northwest Women Flyfishers just over a year ago. She found not only friendship, but also expert fly fishers who helped her improve her abilities. "It's a very nurturing atmosphere," she said. "On the first outing, they were very supportive. They're all great mentors and fantastic teachers." While the group does not offer beginning instruction, per se, they do connect women with local fly shops and organizations that offer classes. The club also hosts numerous outings each year. Certainly being outdoors is a huge draw for many who fish Northwest waters. "Fish don't live in ugly places," said Graham, quoting a popular saying among anglers. "I can go out on a river, and even if I don't catch anything all day, it's spectacular." One favorite memory was on Mother's Day last year. She was with her son on the Yakima River and had fished all day without catching anything. Her son said it was her attitude, so as they moved to a new location on the river, she yelled out, "I'm the best fisherman ever!" And on her next cast, she hooked her biggest catch ever on the Yakima. It's those moments that keep people coming back for more. Once a year, some of the members of the Northwest Women Flyfishers volunteer with an organization called Casting for Recovery, which provides opportunities for women who have or have had breast cancer to learn fly fishing at weekend retreats. Ferne Olschewsky, 70, has survived breast cancer twice. She attended a retreat last September at Alexander's Resort. "It was an unbelievable experience," she said. "The camaraderie is wonderful. "The motion of fly fishing is so good for those muscles we've all lost." The gentle motion of fly fishing provides essential exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility, which is one of the goals of the Casting for Recovery program. Education and support for mental and physical healing are given equal emphasis. Olschewsky's son, an expert fly tier and angler, got her started fly fishing about five years ago. "I said, 'My God, why didn't I do this sooner!'" she recalls. "It's a real art. You can't learn overnight. It's very gentle, very precise and exact." It's the art form that she believes attracts women to fly fishing. "For many years, this was a men's sport. Now, there are as many women as men - because it's an art." The Northwest Women Flyfishers hold a monthly meeting at REI in downtown Seattle. For more information on speakers, outings or membership visit www.northwestwomenflyfishers.com or call club president Stacy Stratton at (206) 937-4071. To contact Casting for Recovery, go to www.castingforrecovery.org or call (888) 553-3500.