52 replies to this topic

[laus]

So many posts here for 2010.... almost none this year. What happened?? Just because a trail or two was cancelled, do we give up? Tell me, all you women who love fishing..tell me that's not so.    I tried to join a fishing club here in western Maine. The president told me " might be best to try "another." I've gotten this response so often I no longer ask. Yet, fishermen I meet on Maine lakes always tell me how glad they are to see a woman who loves fishing:) I believe most truly men of this generation welcome female anglers. I have faith. Time will tell

[farmpond1]

I never know if I'm supposed to contribute to the woman's forum or not.  Anyway, I'd like to believe you'd receive better treatment than what those clubs have given you but maybe that's really how they are?  What, specifically, are you asking for?  Just to join?  If so, that's a shame.  I've been accused of playing the devil's advocate too often but I'm trying to understand what the big deal is with them.  Are they afraid women will take over the club?  Do the men fear their opportunity to have something of their own will be taken away?  I'm convinced that men need their man caves.  Maybe fishing clubs are extensions of this.  Again, I'm not supporting their treatment.  I'm just trying to understand.  Any other thoughts?

[Uncle Leo]

Have you asked the fellas who found it refreshing to see women on the lakes if they belong to a club that you could join?

I am in agreement that I find it refreshing to see women, men and children enjoy fishing. More so if they conserve the enviroment. My fishing partner (male) and I always make comment when we she a man and women fishing together what a joy it would be if our wives came along. We both own boats and take weekend and weekly trips and unfortunately our wives stay behind.

[Keri]

Hi Laus, no we haven't given up as a matter of fact the LBAA is just starting its tour next week. As for the club issue all I can say is wow I've never heard such a thing. Our clubs here in Washington have a lot of women members that love to fish, most have couples and women categories for tournaments. I hope you find one that's a good fit and as always keep fishing.

[BASSINATORBIGJOE]

Laus when we started our club we didn't allow women because we thought our wives wouldn't understand, become jealous, etc. But talking to our wives and daughters about this, they said we were wrong for not allowing women. Now we accept females in Next Generation Bass Club. Wish you were in the Baton Rouge area, we would welcome you..............Mike 8-)

[Fishing Cowgirl]

There are couples tournaments around, one ABA will be on East Lake Toho this Saturday. One of the Local guy's started a monthly tournament for couples and it's a blast. We fish at safe light till Noon weigh in..then we all go eat lunch! That is where we get to hear everyones "one that got a way" story. We have guy's with their Mom (who has won many times), husband/wives, BF/GF, Father /Daughter, etc.

I found out about who to contact for the couples tournament by fishing an afternoon (Noon till dark) tournament by myself. I didn't catch a keeper that day, but had plenty of competitors running by and checking to make sure I was okay and wasn't the only one without a keeper.

I've found nothing but support, interest, and often great tips on what to use. Many from this very board and often just out on the lake.

[tjmaniac]

I'm from Portland, and I too have had a lot of guys treat me differently. the one thing I notice the most is the intrusion of my space when I'm fishing. I've had lots of guys walk right up to where I'm casting and cast to the same area or even worse across my line. The difference is I don't see that happening to other guys. I wish I could join a club too but when I've asked others about it I always get vague and evasive answers, too bad, I'm not a bad angler, and I want to learn more, why they don't want me as a member is their loss, not mine. Maybe we should start a women's fishing club, before long the guys will be begging us to join!

[eaglemoon2001]

i love fishing. my dads family believed women could fish and hunt just as well as men.  ( i had a great-great grandmother who hunted until her late eighties )  i get a little shy at some of the lakes but i wont fish somewhere i dont feel comfortable about.

[Deb]

Hi Laus, no we haven't given up as a matter of fact the LBAA is just starting its tour next week. As for the club issue all I can say is wow I've never heard such a thing. Our clubs here in Washington have a lot of women members that love to fish, most have couples and women categories for tournaments. I hope you find one that's a good fit and as always keep fishing.

I'm headed to Texas in about an hour, a 13 hr drive.  So yes, I love fishing, bass fishing in particular!  I plan on fishing the entire tour this year.  It's a GREAT bunch of ladies who love to bass fish too.  We're hoping to keep spreading the word about the Ladies Tour and encourage all women to get involved in fishing.

I work part time as a nurse and part time in the BEST tackle store on Ky/Barkley Lake.  There are times when a guy will come in that kinda looks at me like.....what's chick doing in here.  But more times than not, they are glad to have someone who knows the lake and doesn't mind helping them have a good trip on the water.

Keep on fishing and keep looking for the right club to fish with, they are out there.

Have a good week all.......I'm off to Lake Sam Rayburn!!!!

[Lauren]

I am still here. Two hobbies have been fighting for my attention; knitting and fishing.

As for joining a bass club, I thought about it, but never had the time to commit. Last year, some guy ask me if I would sign my name to start the fishing club at college. They always watched me ride my bike with a fishing hat to the local pond or to the lake down there. Sometimes I brought my friends with. I gladly put my name down, but never heard from them. When I asked for the meetings they told me, "There was no fishing club. They decided against it."

I sighed. I would have down it, but I was president of two clubs and could not give time to making a club at normal time. I thought morning would work better, after all, that is the time I fished. No one wanted to do it.

Sadly, I just gave up joining clubs. As for this site I totally forgot about for some reason.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

I haven't really had other fishermen intrude into my space, only a couple have come motoring within my casting distance, but it just took "the don't even go there LOOK" I gave them and they stayed a reasonable distance. I pretty much chat up anyone who comes close enough and after a few pleasantries we keep on fishing. (and no, I don't talk as much as the lady on the E-Tech commercial) Now if a guy comes near and explains he's fishing a tournament and I'm not, I often let him in and I also try to make sure I'm not getting into anyone's area if they are fishing near me. If I'm in a tournament, it's my spot till I move off.

I also have lunch once a week or so, at the local marina (where they filmed "Bait Shop") and visit with the regulars and visiting fishermen. I get many tips volunteered to me from fishermen of all ages. Not exactly their honey hole, but what was working for them and when.

[roadwarrior]

Unless it's a B.A.S.S. or FLW tournament where you
might care about the pros, I don't see any reason
to concede a spot to tournament fishermen. They
aren't entitled to any special treatment. Some people
consider them a nuisance.


:

[farmpond1]

I don't see any reason to concede a spot to tournament fishermen. They
aren't entitled to any special treatment. Some people
consider them a nuisance.

:

That would be me.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

Well, like I said, I often let them in if they ask, but not always. It depends on how they ask. If they are rude and demand the spot, it ain't happening. It's just how I was raised, I guess. It's very rare that anyone even asks. They respect my area and move on.

Right now I'm trying to better my personal best and entered in the State vs State contest on another forum here. So if I'm on a fish, I'm staying.

[MaineBassMan]

I'm from Portland, and I too have had a lot of guys treat me differently. the one thing I notice the most is the intrusion of my space when I'm fishing. I've had lots of guys walk right up to where I'm casting and cast to the same area or even worse across my line. The difference is I don't see that happening to other guys. I wish I could join a club too but when I've asked others about it I always get vague and evasive answers, too bad, I'm not a bad angler, and I want to learn more, why they don't want me as a member is their loss, not mine. Maybe we should start a women's fishing club, before long the guys will be begging us to join!

Of course we are located in downeast Maine, But the Maine Blade Runners would welcome you into the club. There are a few female members already in the club. We are either the second largest or the largest private fishing club in Maine. We have a couple of open tournaments about half way down towards you this season.