Back in July of 1999, I was asked by a friend of mine if I wanted to go to a convention for women in flyfishing. At first, I was not too crazy about the idea. For one thing, I hate women's clubs. For another, when I am out on the river, I think of myself as one of the guys and want to be treated as such. I was not sure how I would react to an all women's affair or how I would be received. The name of the group is called the IWFF which stands for the International Women's Fly Fisher and it is not for women only!!
In fact, there were several men there with their wives. The passion and energy and involvement this organization has in the fishing world is outstanding!! This had to be the most well put together convention I have ever been to.
It was held at the Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont and everything was included. The convention/seminar lasted four days and it was a very busy schedule, filled with rotating workshops, including fly tying, guide information with a forum where people could express what they wanted from a guide or instructor and visa versa. Also classes on bugs, information on website design, and networking. There was a lecture by the wildlife department with regards to the Salmon repopulation efforts and a lecture by Trout Unlimited, which yours truly is a member. I was able to get information together to go for my FFF Certification and in Jan. 2000 I became certified by Lou Taboury.
I was surrounded by legends in the field of flyfishing and when I mention the names, it will become clear to you that I was among royalty. Joan Wulff, Fanny Krieger (Mel's wife), Gloria Jordon (the late Wes Jordan's wife), Maggie Merriman, Helen Shaw, Joan Whitlock, Mary Dette Clark (daughter of the Dette Flytying duo), Jodi Pate (Billy's wife and no slouche with 16 world records), Rhea Topping, Rachel Finn, Nick Lyons of Lyons Publishing... need I say more?
When the convention was over, I came away with new friends, more knowledge about this great passion, less money (I bought a Pate reel), and a feeling like I had just walked through history. If anyone is interested in joining this wonderful organization, man, woman, or child, please contact me for more information. It is a very worthy cause and a wonderful chance to be apart of history yourself. We need so very badly to keep this tradition alive and by joining this club and getting the family involved as well will help to do just that. Until next time.... Have a great week!
