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Fishing has long been a man’s domain, especially in Florida, where the big boys go out on big boats to hook really big fish. Men, it seems, have something to prove as fishermen, while the girls just want to have fun. Therefore, coed angling experiences can be humiliating for members of the fair sex, who are often persona non grata on deck, the butts of barked orders and disdainful glances. And that’s why Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing founder Betty Baumann decided to do something about it.
“Men will say, ‘Do this. Do that. Back the boat down, but, no, you can’t touch this,'” explains spokeswoman Bonnie Doesken. “Betty wondered, ‘Why can’t I put together something where women can learn, hands-on, how to fish, without feeling intimidated?’ It’s just like learning to drive, after all: You really don’t want to let your husband teach you how to boat.” So Baumann formed a saltwater-fishing seminar series for women that has become successful enough to warrant holding the weekend sessions about once every other month for an average of 90 to 110 women a pop. Now it’s coming inland to Colorado for a freshwater version that’s geared, as Robin Knox of the Colorado Division of Wildlife notes, toward recruiting Rocky Mountain-region anglers to the lopsided sport.
If the experiment flies, it could pave the way for similar programs in other states. And what’s not to love? The conservation-oriented seminars (LLGF adheres to the “catch and release” school of fishing) start off Saturday morning with lectures on such topics as “How to Cast a Line Without Catching Your Tree,” followed by an afternoon of learning the ropes — and rods, reels, nets, boat controls, knots and lures — at hands-on skill stations. A field day ensues on Sunday, when participants can choose from various types of lake- or stream-fishing experiences; a barbecue, fish-filleting class and Fish Tales party wrap things up.
Because women think about such things, Doesken suggests, “It doesn’t matter what you wear on Saturday, but on Sunday, you’d better wear something old and cruddy, because if you catch something, you also get to fillet it.” Some fun. But, truly, she adds, “It’s just relaxing to get out on the water, even if you don’t catch anything. That’s why we call it the ‘No-Yelling School of Fishing.’ If a guy starts yelling, we have a big roll of duct tape to put over his mouth!” Now, go fish.
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