These fisherwomen foster connections and fun through fishing.
Scrolling through a dating app, it isn’t uncommon to see loads of pictures of men holding fish. The representation of men fishing has always been evident on social media and in real life. Despite this portrayal online, Gen Z girls and women are taking over fishing.
“It’s hard to get women into the sport because it’s so foreign to them,” said Isabelle Kusske, an Iowa State Fishing Club member. “You don’t have to be good at it. Even if you don’t catch anything, it still is fun.”
The Midwest has more than 100 fishing clubs, some specifically for women. A popular style of fishing is fly fishing – a technique that uses a lightweight artificial fly to lure in fish. There are roughly 15 women’s fly fishing clubs in the Midwest. With a program that provides online courses, United Women on the Fly (UWOTF) is an informative resource for women interested in fly fishing.
Beth Ryan is a camp counselor at WaHeKee, an all-girls camp in Wisconsin. One of her favorite activities to instruct is fishing. Ryan said most of the girls have the misconception that it is a boy’s activity. When she’s not instructing at camp, Ryan fishes with her friends.
“I try to convince my female friends to try it out,” Ryan said. “My best friend and I go fishing together, so we try to convince our other friends to go. We’ll say, ‘Come sit on the dock with us.’”
Fishing is more than an activity – it’s a connection. For Kusske, her passion for fishing began as a way to bond with her father. As a child, she started with a Barbie fishing pole. Now, she uses a St. Croix rod to catch big game.
“Fishing has connected me and my dad in so many ways,” Kusske said. “It’s given us an unbreakable bond over a lifetime hobby we will always share. No matter what is going on, we will prioritize fishing together.”
Fishing fosters memories like a father helping his daughter reel in a fish or friends blasting music while singing at the top of their lungs.
“The way my buddies and I do it is we bring speakers,” Ryan said. “We have a playlist called ‘The Songs We’ve Caught a Fish To.’ Any time we’ve caught a fish to a song, we’ll add it to the playlist cause we tell ourselves the fish like that song.”
Kusske said there is no right or wrong way to fish. Sometimes, she likes loud music while fishing with friends because it’s an energy booster and guarantees a good time no matter what. Other times, Kusske will use fishing as a stress reliever. When she needs an escape from the world, she goes out by herself and listens to the natural noise of her surroundings. The sounds of fish splashing out of the water, frogs croaking, and trees swaying in the breeze can be a tranquil experience.
Some fisherwomen, such as Kusske, are members of groups like the Iowa State Fishing Club, which offers opportunities such as participating in the Major League Fishing (MLF) and Bassmaster (BASS) tournaments. BASS hosts an opener tournament and a classic tournament. The highest-ranking competitors (pro anglers) of the opener compete in the Classic, often called the “Super Bowl” of fishing tournaments. This year, Kusske placed 33rd overall and second among all female co-anglers at the BASS Open. Co-anglers fish with a pro angler in the same boat but not as a team. Instead, co-anglers compete against each other.
Although fishing has historically been male-dominated, Kusske said the crew at Iowa State Fishing club has been kind and supportive of her.
“I’m almost treated better in the industry since these guys want women to take over. They want women to thrive,” Kusske said.
Ryan recommends visiting a local bait shop for those who need help figuring out where to start.
“I just ask them for advice. They’re willing to help and tell you what bait to use in what area,” Ryan said.
With the support of their community, fisherwomen like Kusske and Ryan are breaking down barriers and making fishing an activity for everyone. There are many ways to get started — joining a club, going with a friend, or visiting a local bait shop. Even something as simple as sitting on a lawn chair watching a friend fish can evolve into weekly fishing trips and treasured memories.
