Ladies Fishing club founder Anne Woodcock talks openly about her passion for angling and how the ambition to get more women into the sport has inspired her.
At last, I found myself once again sitting on the bank of the majestic River Spey in the Highlands of Scotland. With so many salmon rivers around the UK preparing for yet another season to spring to life, the opening of the Spey is deemed by many as the starting pistol.
Watching the anglers today gingerly make their way into the water from a snowy backdrop, I suddenly remembered the first time I ever sat here. It was an amazing experience that changed my life forever.
Catching the bug
It was the first time I had seen a salmon fisher. Watching him slowly sweep the rod around with both hands, lift a long line from the surface of the water then sweetly fire it across the pool, amazed me. The finesse, the timing, the look, it all struck me that trying to catch a salmon isn't as easy as some think. In fact the catching of the fish appears secondary while the 'performance' I had just witnessed is obviously paramount to being perfect. If I'm totally honest, my mind was made up there and then. To pursue this majestic art of what I now know as double-handed Spey casting.
It wasn't until a few years later, back home in the North East of England, that I eventually got my hands onto a fishing rod. I'd been given some information that events known as Taster Days were being organised by Northumbrian Water Limited. This was an ideal opportunity for me to find an introduction into fishing.
Clive Robson, a fishing coach at NWL, noticed how keen I was to learn fly fishing. Especially as they never had anyone enrol onto every single Taster Day for their entire programme. Yes, I was very keen to learn.
Later, I was fortunate enough to meet an angler called Jim Fearn and was excited at the prospect of finally meeting a serious salmon fisher. He is an AAPGAI Master and what can only be described as, and I'm sure he won't mind me saying this, an absolute salmon junkie.
You find out quickly that these guys, once in the water, suddenly become 'in the zone'. All the tuition, practice and knowledge of double-handed Spey casting immediately falls into place but, let's not forget that somewhere, there is also a passion for fishing. When it's right, it's great. When it's not, they are constantly on the drive to improve and perfect it. It's almost like an addiction.
Perfect opportunity
After leaving a job that I had been doing for more than 18 years where the standards were high and expectations even higher, that same mentality of perfection every salmon angler strives for is very similar. In fact I absolutely understood it. I was ready for this and it wouldn't merely be a fad that I would turn my back on three months down the road. I was serious and wanted so much to be taught by the best people. Having the top two salmon rivers in England on your doorstep is certainly an advantage to have.
It's fine having two productive salmon rivers close by but unless you move in circles or happen to know anyone that will introduce you to them, it can be a daunting task actually getting to cast a line on one.
It became apparent to me that there was a distinct lack of opportunities for ladies who were keen to learn to cast a salmon rod. Once again this fired my imagination into doing what I do best...organising.
In 2008 I quickly put together an event on the banks of the River Tyne at Hesleyside Hall. Within one hour of being online, the event was filled by six ladies desperately eager to try salmon fishing. I was so pleased but at the same time slightly saddened that these ladies had waited so long for an event to be organised. With the help of GAIA coach Cliff Johnston, it was the inception of me forming a fishing club for women - Ladies Fishing was born.
Since that first event on the Tyne, the very same ladies that turned up have since become good friends and are an integral part of organising Ladies Fishing days. In fact, Ladies Fishing now boasts over 40 lady and junior members - and it's still growing.
Looking back now, we all thought that on that very first day on the Tyne, we would all catch and bank a salmon. I suppose you could say that we were very naive but then again, it just proves what a positive bunch of girls we are.
Spreading our wings
Ladies Fishing wasn't lacking in interest that's for sure as more and more events were organised. We eventually moved onto stillwaters where learning to fly fish for trout was the order.
We didn't just turn up and fish either. Members of Ladies Fishing wanted to excell at as much as possible. Casting, fly dressing, even preparing their catch for the table, the willingness to learn and progress was everything I'd imagined Ladies Fishing would be...and more. Even the charity work and fund raising we do is incredible and very satisfying but certainly would not be possible without the help of so many kind individuals around us, often giving up a lot of their own time to help.
Fast forward five years and Ladies Fishing events are becoming a firm fixture on many anglers' fishing calendars. Lots of our members are from a wide array of backgrounds but being a part of a dedicated group certainly helps them to have the confidence to try their hand at new interests. Ladies Fishing since has spread its wings globally and has even attracted international status with lady fly fishers from the USA booking slots.
Plans for 2013 events are already creating lots of interest. For once, it's not salmon or trout that are making the headlines but now, new tactics and advice are being sought to catch the Lady of the Stream herself - grayling.
With the expertise and help that is available on the River Annan, Ladies Fishing are making regular Sunday morning sorties over and into the Scottish Border regions. No event can begin, though, unless bacon sandwiches and hot cups of tea have been handed out. I've been told to make this rule number one for future Ladies Fishing events - it's an order from the members.
We offer events to appeal to everyone and of all abilities. First and foremost we stand for the good of fishing. Conservation, safety and the environment are very important to us. Of course, I want ladies to learn the art of fishing and become competent anglers. Whether it be double-handed Spey casting or Czech nymphing for a grayling, safety and appreciation of others and the surrounding countryside are very important to us. Not forgeting the aspect of having fun. If we're having fun, we are happy.
Recently we held a sea fishing event which proved extremely popular with many of our members. Even though the day was extremely cold, the turnout was incredible. Even lots of juniors attended and were excited at the prospect of catching a fat winter flounder. The day was a huge a success with everyone catching at least four fish. Was it the hot pies and soup that nailed it for us though?
The future is bright
So, what about the long term ambitions of Ladies Fishing? Since that day watching salmon anglers casting their lines on the River Spey, I could only have hoped for the success Ladies Fishing has worked so hard to achieve. The willingness to learn and more importantly, to help others is most certainly our forte. We believe strongly in our mission of "Inspiring Women To Go Fishing".
We've come a long way since our first event on the Tyne at Hesleyside Hall and I'm privileged to be surrounded by so many talented people willing to help. Without their input, time and knowledge, Ladies Fishing would not have succeeded. We are a team and always seem to operate smoothly and that is certainly the catalyst to a relaxing and friendly atmosphere.
Some of our members have even progressed to levels 1 and 2 angling coaching qualifications. That just proves how serious fishing is to them.
I couldn't end without thanking some very talented people. Gary Hillary who is the head ghillie of the Allendale Estate at Bywell Beat on the River Tyne. Gary's knowledge of the beat is so invaluable to us. Also the extremely talented Paul Little. Considering Paul is an Orvis Pro-Guide, AAPGAI Master and renowned classic fly tier, we are very lucky to have him with us. Cliff Johnston GAIA and Ladies Fishing head coach always has fabulous input too. His camper van (Ladies Fishing tour bus!) has always been such day-saver when the good old weather Blighty has to offer, turns for the worse. And also Alison and Roger Brown of Chatton Trout Fishery. They are always willing to let us use their facilities on Ladies Days and Alison is actually one of the first members to book onto a Ladies Fishing event.
Not forgetting all the fishery owners, coaches, guides and those who have donated tackle, cash and more importantly, their time to Ladies Fishing. On behalf of everyone at Ladies Fishing, thank you.
Ladies Fishing regularly raise money for charities including Casting for Recovery UK and Ireland, Get Hooked on Fishing, Macmillan Cancer Research, Newcastle Women's Aid and the Salmon and Trout Association. Anne Woodcock also spent a weekend at the Casting For Recovery Retreat to see at first hand the great work carried out with the help of donations while Ladies Fishing have also appeared on Sky Sports Tight Lines, BBC TV and STV.
Anne Woodcock is Marketing Director for online fishing company FishPal and responsible for booking salmon fishing days for customers on beats across the UK and Iceland. For more info find them online at: www.fishpal.com. Alternatively email: anne.woodcock@fishpal.com.
To find out more about Ladies Fishing events contact Anne Woodcock: Email: Annefishing@yahoo.co.uk. web: www.ladiesfishing.co.uk