Established in 2020, National Women’s Fly Fishing Day is celebrated annually on June 27th. It’s a day created to honor women fly anglers and the work they have done to get fly fishing to where it is today. The day encourages women to form friendships around their shared love for fly fishing and the water.
At Flylords, we’ve worked closely with amazing women like Audrey Wilson, a championship caster and experience creator, and Amanda Willshire, a talented sculptor and fishing guide. These pioneering women and organizations are forces for change in fly fishing, ultimately elevating the sport to where it is today.
To honor Women’s Fly Fishing Day, we put together a list of women’s fly fishing organizations that are doing incredible work. These organizations offer women a means to connect with fellow anglers through shared experiences including seminars, events, and retreats. Some are national and some are local but they all elevate the sport of fly fishing and give women the tools they need to learn, build community, and get out on the water. Here are the organizations making a difference on Women’s Fly Fishing Day.
Casting for Recovery
Casting for Recovery (CfR) is one of the most impactful and meaningful organizations in all of fly fishing. For those not familiar, CfR’s mission is to provide free fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer. CfR takes the reasons we love fly fishing and applies them in a life-changing manner. Spending time on the water with other women in all stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery is a valuable step in healing.
Building relationships through shared experiences is a powerful tool that leads to lifelong friendships and an avenue for support. Time spent on the water acts as physical therapy with the gentle casting motion of a fly cast. We can’t emphasize enough how much Casting for Recovery has done and continues to do for women anglers. If you are interested in joining the cause you can join their more than 1,800 volunteers and get involved in this incredible organization.
United Women on the Fly
United Women on the Fly (UWOTF) is a community whose focus is to build a community of women anglers through engaging events, valuable resources, and promoting diversity and inclusion in fly fishing. Their platform includes resources to locate fellow women anglers, guides, and women-owned businesses within fly fishing. UWOTF is hosting several events this year, including “Fish and Hang” in Montana, Oregon, and New York. For new anglers check out the online courses UWOTF offers, going over everything from the basics to advanced techniques to get ready to hit the water.
Fly Fishers International
Fly Fishers International (FFI) is a non-profit focused on supporting fly fishing through conservation, education, and community. FFI is one of the only organizations supporting both fresh and saltwater fisheries and helped originate the concept of catch & release fishing. While not solely a women’s organization, FFI believes in and supports diverse leadership and community to represent the fly-angling community. This year FFI hosted its Women’s Connect to educate and introduce new anglers to the sport of fly fishing.
Able Women Fly Fish
Able Women Fly Fish is a unique non-profit for women fly anglers. Its mission is to connect women with the healing power of water through fly fishing. The various aspects of fly fishing teach valuable life skills. Able Women Fly Fish has made it their goal to take these aspects and share them with a community of women anglers who can implement these skills on the water and in their day-to-day lives. The organization actively hosts events and clinics throughout the year for its members. In addition to membership, the team also accepts ambassador applications for a chance to become more involved with the organization and its events.
Colorado Women’s Flyfishers
Colorado Women’s Flyfishers (CWF) is an organization based in Denver, Colorado offering education, adventure, and friendship for women in fly fishing. CFW organizes trips, clinics, meetings, and social events every year to unite the community and spend time on the water. While based in Denver, CFW welcomes women from all over the state and country. Members get exclusive access to monthly meetings, newsletters, organized trips, and even a gear-lending program to get started on the water. In addition, CWF offers exclusive members-only chats and social pages where women can make new friends, talk fishing, and be a part of the incredible community.
These organizations have advanced fly fishing into what it is today. Their efforts have built communities across the nation offering women the tools they need to thrive on the water. Check them out and be sure to support these incredible organizations.
