By
Constance Whiston
Where can I go alone or with another woman to fly fish?
Is it safe?
There are several factors to keep in mind before setting out to catch a fish. Safety involves gear, clothing, auto maintenance, river conditions, state rules/regulations, weather, snakes, wild animals and personal protection. A lot to think about when all you want to do is go fishing but for women every topic on this list is important and the last one is not the least.
As an avid fly fisher for over 20 years, I have often thought how easyit would be to become the prey of some crazed predator. That is just how I felt trekking off on my first several solo adventures. I identified with Bambi's mother at the start of the Disney film when she turned around and softly yet with firm caution whispered to her hiding son, "MAN". Where could I go and fish without fear of a two-legged predator? True, it seldom happens-but all it takes is once. It has happened to my friends in the heart of the city and to my friends in the country. I don't think I'm a special safe case, or that it will never happen to me. On the contrary, if you or I do not think about personal safety we are not taking care of ourselves. Think before you go fly fishing, investigate, ask questions, talk to people, quiz the local fly and paddle shops. Take the time to protect your life.
This is not a comfortable subject, but a necessary one. Personal protection comes in many forms from your own personal handgun to bear spray. Bear spray is said to be strong enough to deter a bear so you can imagine what it would do to a human. Keep any canisters of pepper spray cool and out of the sun. Keep handguns hidden safe, out of sight with current, proper records in your glove compartment. You need to have a knife with you at all times for emergencies, so why not think of a multi-purpose knife for cutting rope, twigs, line and self-protection.
Let's talk about the importance of sunscreen. As a sun lover I often forget to coat my ears. Once you experience the crusty, messy pain of sun crisped ears you will remember to slather up your ears with sunscreen. Some say the degree of sunscreen is used according to your age. A 50 year old uses a 50, a 30 year old uses a 30 and so on. Cute but not true. Use the most potent protection you can buy. Apply sunscreen abundantly on every area exposed to the sun. I use a long billed hat and sun gloves to cover the sensitive most commonly exposed areas like face and hands. The sun lover's best advice is to layer the screen on thick and if you get wet put it on again. Be careful, most products will damage fly line so shop carefully for the brands that state clearly on the label "will not damage fly fishing line". For the non-sun lover there are great lightweight, quick dry long sleeve shirts and zip off pants available in women's sizes. You don't have to spend a fortune to protect your body. Try local discount & outdoors stores, they offer surprising bargains and variety.
Warm water fly fishing is easier for a quick departure if unwelcome visitors show up. Take my word for it, you can move much faster in shorts and Tevas than boots and waders. Keep in mind what you have on, how fast can you move and how close is your vehicle? Are you safe venturing far from your car in boots and waders? A few years ago while warm water fly fishing with my young daughter two rough looking fellows came up behind the boulder where we were fishing said, "Look! Two women! And they're fly fishing!" We were polite but left quickly. Why gamble? Be aware of your surroundings and how quickly you can escape. Fish light if you do not feel 100% sure you are in a safe area.
Cold water fly fishing requires boots and waders for warmth. The current trend is toward breathable waders. If I wore breathables and long underwear in the winter I'd freeze. on the other hand many women are fine with light weight breathables. My advice to the women in the fly fishing classes I teach is to know your own body. This is the key to the right purchase for you. If you are like me and are cold unless it is 85 degrees outside, and the thought of fly fishing on a 50-degree day chills you to the bone, then go with neoprene waders and expedition weight long underwear. Do not go by what an "authority", or the guy in the fly shop, or your best friend says. Make your wader decision based on talking with a person who has the same body temperature as you. You want to be safe and warm in the winter so investigate and learn prior to buying waders.
Check your vehicle before a fishing trip. Do the tires have good tread? Did you check The gas, oil, belts, brake fluid and water? Is the spare in good shape? Have your mechanic check your automobile several days in advance of your adventure. Make sure your tire tools are all there. You may consider AAA or another road service plan if you're traveling far. Do not procrastinate on filling your gas tank. There is nothing worse than the cold sweat of suspense keeping you on the edge of the your drivers seat, watching the gas gauge needle bouncing on empty and wondering if you will make it to the next town. Play it safe; learn the area first, know where the gas stations, convenience stores and mechanics are located.
The most common question women ask concerning safe fly fishing is "WHAT ABOUT SNAKES?" The first thing to keep in mind is there are very few snakes that will hurt you. Other important facts to consider are; snakes just as afraid of you as you are of them, they want to get out of your way, they are not usually aggressive and most important, they are a key balance to mother nature so please do not kill them. Watch where you walk, watch where you step, look at the river banks and check out the tree limbs close to you. Learn about the types of poisonous snakes are in your area. If you come up on a snake slowly walk backwards, turn around, walk away and go fish down or up river. You won't have to go far, snakes will not follow you.
Stay hydrated, take snacks and eat often, your stamina will last much longer. If I'm out on a river for 6 to 12 hours diets are forgotten. Carry high energy foods, snack bars, sandwiches, chocolate, ginseng and plenty of water. Forget the ice chest if your in a canoe or kayak, take a soft pack and freeze all your water bottles. On a 100-degree day I can be out fly fishing staying nice and cool with my frozen water.
All the rivers, lakes
and salt water have different types of fly fishing opportunities. Join
a local fly fishing club, read fly fishing magazines and web sites and
talk to fly fishing women. Why wait? You'll see osprey diving and screaming
as they pull fish out of the water, beavers slapping a tails at you, double
rainbows in sunset skies, and experience a union with nature no words
can express. There is nothing to hold you back. Just protect yourself.
Here are a few pointers to follow before you wet your line:
- Study
maps of the area; take them with you and know how long it will
take to drive to your destination
- Drive the
section of river you are thinking of fishing, check it out
for yourself before you get out of your car.
- Get to
know the locals at grocery stores, gas stations etc.
- Tell a
friend or relative when you are leaving, where you are fishing
and when you will return
- Take a
rain jacket, change of clothes & shoes plus a warm sweater
to have in your vehicle in case the weather turns foul
- Flash light,
"FIX A FLAT" for instant flat tire repair, make sure
your spare is in good shape, know where the closest town with
a garage is located
- Keep extra stuff
- - paper towels, food bars or snacks, water & a blanket-stored
in dry containers
- Take your
cell phone and address books with emergency contacts
- Bring along a wading
staff if you are going to fast water
- Personal
protectant: Bear spray is the most effective form of pepper
aerosol, make sure it works, test it down wind; if you choose to carry
a hand gun and have taken classes in how to use it, take it with you.
Knives, ball bats or other objects have all been thought of and used.
Do not let pride or denial stand in the way of your life
- Fly fishers can
take a tip from river paddlers and carry a river whistle and
knife. A river whistle is much louder (ear shatteringly loud)
than an ordinary whistle. If you are fly fishing from a canoe or kayak
be sure to have your personal flotation device (life
jacket)
- Take some self-defense
classes to boost your confidence. Learn how to walk strong
and powerful. A predator can spot a weak timid woman a mile away.
- Get into
shape, lift weights, build muscle - women need to be doing
this whether you fish or not
- Take a
First Aid Kit. I have personally experienced a few hook wounds
and have treated my friends' hook wounds and minor injuries with my
handy first aid kit. Antibiotic ointment is a must and I swear by aspirins
with caffeine and ibuprofen. (Check with your doctor, first.) One more
very important medicine to have on hand is Benedryl for plant and insect
stings.
- Wear the
proper wading boots for salt water fly fishing to avoid sting
rays
- Take along frozen water bottles
