Fly fishing, a fishing technique that uses artificial, lightweight bait to mimic aquatic insects, has always been a male-dominated sport. For women looking to get into the sport, “walking into a fly shop can be very intimidating. Going to the local club meetings can be intimidating,” said Katie Johnstone, cofounder of fly fishing group Ohio Women on the Fly.
Founded in 2019 by Johnstone and Jessica Suvak, Ohio Women on the Fly was inspired by United Women on the Fly, a national nonprofit for female anglers to build community around recreation, mentorship, education and advocacy.
“Jess and I thought that was just really cool, so we were like, ‘Well, why don’t we just see if we can have a meetup here in Ohio?’” Johnstone said. “ And there were about five of us in the middle of January. It was about 10 degrees, and we just had an absolute blast.”
Both the national and Ohio groups emphasize inclusivity and diversity.
“There’s never been judgment, and there’s a lot of women in the group that are part of the LGBTQ community. And I have heard from spouses or girlfriends how impactful it has been for them,” Johnstone said.
Taking flight with in-person meetups
Originally conceived as an Instagram page to post pictures and connect with more women in the community, Ohio Women on the Fly quickly grew into a statewide fly fishing group, teaming up with local fly shops and guides for educational opportunities, and providing events led by women, for women.
Just last summer, the group officially became a nonprofit, allowing them to apply for grants and equip themselves with more gear. “ Now we can really expand and really get to a lot more women across the state,” Johnstone said.
Expanding fly fishing to women of every background
Since its inception, Ohio Women on the Fly has “always been an open group,” Johnstone said.
In recent years, members including Neva Shae Stiltner and Joanne Patterson have worked to highlight the group’s openness, tabling at Pride festivals and asking themselves, as Johnstone put it, “How can we put the word out that this is open for everyone?”
Ohio Women on the Fly is open to women of any (or zero) experience level in the sport, said Johnstone. “Our group has been beneficial for women of all different skill levels, but I would say like 85% of the group is brand new. They’re able to come, kind of learn in a no pressure, no judgment, all-inclusive environment, and then they gain that confidence that they need.”
And for women still on the fence about joining? “Just come on out,” Johnstone said. “It is a low-pressure, fun environment. If you don’t have gear, that’s no worries. We have plenty of stuff that you can borrow. We just want women to be able to come and experience it and try it.” 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- Check out Ohio Women on the Fly through their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
- Check out United Women on the Fly through their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
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