Women’s fishing is very near and dear to my heart. I am protective of it, I want the best possible outcome for it, and have strived to be a strong proponent of encouraging more women to get into it. For those reasons, I felt it necessary to shed some light on what is, in my opinion, one of the biggest set-backs female anglers have experienced, well aware that it might surprise some. But I am a big believer in focusing inward, on what we can control and ultimately change.
Being a woman in a male-dominated sport, like fishing, isn’t a cake walk, but there has never been a better time to be a woman in the fishing world. The way you approach it makes all the difference. I have been in this industry for almost a decade now, and I’ve seen women enter this space with two very different mindsets; one that empowers them to grow and succeed, and one that holds them back before they even get started. I want to foster a perspective that recognizes how much opportunity we have in this space, while cultivating an attitude that understands how we can make the most of these opportunities, not overlook them.
It’s important to note that I wasn’t always in fishing, but I have been working in male dominated fields since I was 21. Previously, I sold hard goods in a large outdoor retailer, working at the archery bench and in the fishing section. More often than not, customers would not take me seriously.
I was the only woman on the sales floor in hardgoods company-wide, and I quickly realized that some folks who needed help simply did not want my help. They would look past me, bluntly ask for a male employee, or assume I didn’t know what I was talking about.
Initially, I was frustrated, defeated and I fell right into that “victim” mentality. I would complain about the unfairness, and it would affect my performance. Worse yet, it affected my confidence. But eventually, I made a choice, and it has shaped my career in fishing, and changed my overall perspective on life.
I decided to alter my approach. Instead of expecting people to doubt me, I focused on proving my worth through knowledge, skill, and confidence. Instead of approaching a customer who had a Hoyt carbon Spyder in his hands and asking him if he needed help, I would say, “That’s the bow I shoot because I do a lot of spot and stalking. It’s one of the lightest bows on the market, weighing 3.6 pounds, with a 6 3/4-inch brace height that is a bit more forgiving, and the Z3 cam makes for a smooth draw. Want to put a few arrows through it?”
I worked harder, dead-set on becoming an expert in my craft, and I let my results speak for themselves. Eventually, I became one of the top salespeople at the shop.
Fast-forward to today, and this same scenario is often played out in the fishing world. I’ve seen too many women assume every man they encounter is going to dismiss them, talk down to them, or treat them differently. And while there are always going to be a few bad apples, in addition to a few extra challenges to being a woman in our sport, I believe our mentality determines whether those challenges break us or shape us.
Mentality
One of the biggest obstacles women face in any male-dominated industry isn’t the men themselves. Instead, it’s our own self-doubt which can lead to a negative mindset we often carry into the experience. If you walk into a tackle shop, a tournament, or a conversation expecting men to doubt you, you will find evidence to support that belief in every interaction. If you are constantly on the lookout for disrespect, you put yourself at risk to interpret neutral situations as personal attacks.
But what if we shift our mindset? Instead of assuming men don’t respect you, assume they just don’t know you yet. Give them a reason to take notice of you, in a respectful way. Remember, successful people worry about themselves, not what others think about them. Instead of seeing skepticism as an insult, see it as an opportunity to prove what you know, in a charitable, not arrogant way.
Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge how difficult it can be for a woman to be taken seriously, because it’s something I’ve dealt with first hand, so I see it, and more importantly, I understand it. It isn’t fair, but isn’t that something life whispers to each and every one of us as we encounter the many “bad hands” we are dealt? Life isnt fair, but what we do about it is what really matters. For now, these are our circumstances — but remember, its our disposition, not our circumstances that dictate our success.
Master Your Craft
If you want to be taken seriously in any sport, the best thing you can do is work to master your craft, and obtain as much knowledge as you can. At the end of the day, people will always respect expertise. Learn about your gear. Be well-versed in all as many techniques as you can. Swap social media scrolling for the latest fishing podcast. Spend time on the water. When you are around anglers who are experts on a certain subject matter, be an absolute sponge. Never be too proud to ask questions, and never think you are done learning.
And listen, I know that people may still underestimate you, and they may choose not to give you the time of day, but instead of getting offended, hold your head high, and let your knowledge do the talking. When you can hold your own in a discussion, give solid advice, and demonstrate skill on the water, it will translate to earning respect. And the best part? It won’t be because you are demanding it, but because you deserve it.
The Importance of Confidence
One of the most powerful things you can carry with you in fishing and in life, is confidence. It’s something I wish I could teach to each and every one of the young women, and men, I mentor. Not arrogance, not entitlement, but true, quiet confidence in your ability. Walk into every situation knowing you belong there.
Change the Narrative
I’ve been a quiet observer on some of the larger women’s fishing pages for quite some time, and people will commonly vent about negative experiences. One poster in particular made the accusation that she was denied a sponsorship, and that it must have been because she was a woman. I did a little digging, and found that she had almost zero social media presence, and I couldn’t find any tournament or club affiliations or accomplishments. I was half tempted to comment that for every woman seeking a sponsorship from these companies, there are at least 1,000 men doing the same, and many of them are heavily involved in the sport.
The truth is, companies in the fishing industry in this day and age are desperate for female representation, which makes it easier, not more difficult, to be a woman who wants to make a living fishing.
If we want more women in fishing, we need to change the way we talk about it. Instead of framing the conversation around how difficult it is, let’s talk about how rewarding it is. Instead of focusing on the challenges, let’s focus on how to overcome them, and then let’s focus on the amount of opportunity there is for women in fishing today, because that’s something we aren’t talking about enough.
There has never, and I repeat, NEVER, been a better time to be a woman in fishing. Which is why it’s so important to ensure we are working hard to earn these opportunities.
Now, please understand I am not trying to downplay some of the negative things women experience, because I have had my fair share of tough moments. Yes, there will be people who underestimate you. But we can’t look at this as a reason to back down, we need it to be the reason to push forward. The best way to change perceptions is to lead by example; be the woman who doesn’t just talk about the problem but actively works to change it; be the woman who encourages others to get involved, not by complaining about the challenges, but by showing them how to succeed despite those challenges.
Find Your Crew
One of the upsides to social media is the ability to connect with others. This gives women the opportunity to meet other women in their area that they can plan trips with, share lodging with in tournaments, and overall, share in the love of fishing. Having a support system you can continue to learn and grow with, will help all of us succeed. There are so many organizations, like BassmastHER, that women can join to be part of the movement for women’s fishing.
Resilience
I’m so thankful I didn’t let skepticism stop me when I worked in archery, and I certainly don’t let it stop me in fishing. The truth is, in any male-dominated sport, a little societal resistance is a natural by-product, but don’t forget, resistance is what forges character, and makes us stronger.
So, to every woman who wants to make her mark in fishing: Don’t waste your energy getting offended. Don’t let doubt, yours or the rest of the worlds, hold you back. Understand that there are going to be nay-sayers, hateful comments, and possible harassment — but remember those people and those empty words don’t deserve an ounce of your mental real estate. They do not serve you. A community of encouraging, positive individuals does. So focus on the opportunity, not the obstacle. Carry yourself with confidence, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
I learned years back that fishing isn’t about proving people wrong; it’s about proving yourself right. And at the end of the day, your success in this sport will never be determined by what others think, it is determined by what you do.
