I just read a comment in a private forum, and I started to respond.... After I started writing I realized it is a topic for sharing. The discussion was about the reason for creating this Women on Water forum.

Mr. X, I kind of agree with you - I don't really want to be segregated out either, and I rather like to be included as "one of the guys". However, taking my own personal experiences into consideration, I believe there are enough cultural factors that push us to this kind of approach. For example my first post. Intimidation. Failure to include, or if included, an obvious difference in how we are percieved as anglers. It is rare to find folks like UKFers who welcome me so readily.

I still get treated as if I am a beginner. I have been fishing all my life on freshwater, and in salt for 7+ years. The reel I went to the King Cove booth at the RISA show for was a baitcaster, that's what I knew I wanted. I did ask a friend for advice, and I was given options then I was free to choose which one I wanted - a sign of respect from the friend who I had asked to help. (a UKFer of course! thanks again Craig and Don O) Do beginners or novices start with a baitcaster? Got to have thumb intelligence right?

Recently I'm teaching a guy at work how to fish, and when we were at the store choosing a starter rod and some lures for him, I can't tell you how many men turned around in complete! surprise with a comment like "hey, she knows what she's talking about!" or turned and just looked, perplexed, at a woman giving a man fishing advice.

Last week, I had a really crappy day and so I fished after work to mellow out. Wouldn't you know my very first cast birdnested, and my lure plopped into the water with the most horrible sound. I thought, That had to happen, with the day I'd had. My point is the reaction from the guy standing next to me. If I were a man, he would have said "good one dude" right? or he would more likely have just ignored it? Was it because I'm female that he said "hey, you need some help? is this your first time using that?" I chuckled to myself and thanked him politely and left him mystified with a return comment "no, thanks, that had to happen like that", and proceeded to untangle myself, which he also offered to help with. "No thanks, I got it."

I find these incidents comical, and even flattering like at the store, and I know they all mean well, so I'm rarely insulted by them. But in the end, it shouldn't happen like that if we're all just anglers.

The difference might be in the fact that "it is rare" to see a woman fishing, maybe just in this area. If we can work through the issues of, for example (1) being intimidated (2) increasing our numbers so that we don't stand out as likely novices, (3) grabbing our own spot on the water where we won't feel like we're intruding on our man's away time..........

.........then maybe by this time next year, "We are all the same, just anglers. Everyone treated the same " will be a valid point. I hope so.

How do I join the women on fishing. I can verify my gender. I just joined today becuase I want to learn to kayak fish.

Cathy,

Welcome to UKF

You came to the right place to learn to kayak fish. We are having our annual Kayak Fishing Rodeo in Stonington this weekend (June 21, 22) come down and meet the folks and check out the kayaks. You will learn a bunch just by being around "seasoned veterans". If you are comfortable in a kayak then go out on the water and watch for a while then try it yourself.

Watch this board, each Wednesday we post where and when we are going to fish over the weekend, consider it an invitation to fish with the posters.

Hi Cathy,

Welcome to the forum and please ask away when it comes to kayak fishing. If you are ever over this way from NC you are more than welcome to join us fishing.

Do you have a kayak? then 1/2 the battle is done as far as kayak fishing goes. Beaufort, NC you are in the middle of prime fishing waters - go catch a big one.

Have fun,

Nils

Welcome Cathy to UKF...although you maybe in NC, the people here have a lot of knowledge to share which will benefit you greatly. Craig

Thanks so much for your welcoming. I do not have a kayak yet. Honestly I did not think they would be so expensive. May have to save up for awhile. Does anyone have any recommendations.
Yes, Beaufort, Morehead City and the Shackleford Inlet is one of the top 5 places in the counrty. I found out first hand, do not in in the way of the fly fisherpersons going for Abacore. They will run over you!!!!
I love fishing there. There are all types of fishing you can do. If the seas are rough, stay in the creeks. We went out 26 miles this past Sun. and did not catch a thing. No one was having any lick. Next weekend will be different.
I love to fish for sheephead plus they are very good to eat!!

cathy,

I just Googled Beaufort, NC Kayak Fishing and found this website http://www.ncangler.com/forums/f32/ You might want to check it out and meet some yak fishermen close to you. That is really the best way to get help. Being able to see the rigged kayaks in person and watching them in use will help you more than trying to learn the whole thing from posts in forums. I'm not trying to pass you off only trying to shorten the learning process for you.

Search the forums on this site and you will find kayak and equipment reviews, rigging and safety tips as well as fish tales and other lies.

Hey Thanks. I did not know there was one. I will check it out. You guys are GREAT!

Told ya they were GREAT

That is how I got started. I don't have a kayak either but you know what? For the tournament this weekend, at least two, maybe more, people will loan me their kayaks when they are not fishing. Some guys are fishing at night and offered their yaks for me to use in the daytime. I borrowed one to go out and learn on too. now THAT is great!

So go hook up with your locals, but stick around here too because there is a wealth of information about all kinds of fishing and as you know, terrific people who will answer any questions. Check out our blogs too, fun stories in there, my first yak ride is in there!

P.S. you are welcome to post in ANY of the forums, not just Women on Water. The private WOW forum, we will get your membership squared away but in the meantime, feel free to browse and respond with questions or answers. You probably have some really cool stories about your local area and we'd love to hear them.

Thanks so much. I will be going fishing next weekend and plan to borrow a kayak. I think I need to try a few out to see which one "fits." Thanks again for being so nice. If you are ever in NC and want to go fishing let me know.

YES do try as many as you can. They recommend a SOT (Sit on Top) for fishing, easier to get on and move around in, easier to turn yourself around.