Women & Waders!!

Women & Waders!

The last few years the fishing community has seen a huge increase in not only women fly fishing but more specifically women fly fishing.  With the growing number in the sport its more common to find even brand specific products for women on the market from companies like Fishe Wear providing a variety of leggings and women specific gear, Vedavoo with the Ripple Sling (named after women fly fishing advocate Jen Ripple), Orvis 50/50 initiative, Able Women inspiring other women to cast like a girl, and even Casting for Recovery offering healing for women with breast cancer.  Years ago it was harder to find women specific waders or rods or especially women specific trips but that is o more women in fly fishing is growing and strong especially in WV.  

Photo from https://www.womenwineandwaders.com

In WV we are blessed to have a great group of women inspiring other women to try the sport of fly fishing.  Pamela Caldwell Dunlap is the woman behind Women Wine & Waders.  Their vision is to contribute to the physical and well being of women through fly fishing.  Pamela has done amazing things bringing the sport of fly fishing to the women of WV through her outings she provides at various venues across the mountain state.  Pamela says she got into fly fishing like man other ladies her first time fly fishing was while she was on a date.  Pamela had a big vision in creating Women Wine & Waders she says, "When I began fly fishing I was having personal problems and I soon found out that throwing a line on the water was my stress relief.  I really was crappy at fishing!  But never gave up.  I kept trying and eventually started catching fish.  This was such a revelation for me.  The feeling of worth and self confidence that I'd lost was back I full swing.  This positive growth is what prompted the development of Women Wine & Waders.  The group contributes to the health and well being of women through fly fishing.  We encourage a passion for love and respect of wild beautiful places.  And importantly, we promote friendships, accomplishments, and lasting memories.  Fishing is the bonus!  All skill levels welcome.  On our Annual Fly Fishing Festival held in the spring we take a special guest free of charge.  This is a lady who has fought or is fighting a life threatening disease."  Like any other sport the sport of fly fishing has many women to look up to and follow after.  While Pamela says there is so may ladies she looks up to in the sport there is one special lady she can single out, and it is Kiki Galvin.  Pamela says, "She is a lady who has given so much of herself to the fly fishing community.  She is the modern day Joan Wolff.  I can only hope to fish and learn half of what she knows."  If your a woman looking to get into the sport of fly fishing Pamela has some advice for you, "It doesn't take a ton of money to go fly fishing.  Buy base model rods and reels.  You Can add to your equipment along the way.  Don't put too much pressure on yourself.  There's plenty to learn and to every level you want to take it.  The more you fish the better you become.  Pair up with a friend and just go.  You will learn something new from everyone.  Before long you will have a group of ladies to go fishing with."  The future is bright in the sport of fly fishing for women especially in WV with the group from Women Wine & Waders.  Look for them to keep spreading across the mountain state and providing women the opportunity to try the sport.  Her vision is bright with a dream one day to expand to other states.  Keep up the great work Pamela!!  Fish on!!  Check them out online at https://www.womenwineandwaders.com 

 

Photo from https://www.womenwineandwaders.com

2019 WVAngler Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas is not far away we are going to give you some great ideas for that fly fisherman on your list.  There is lot of great options out there from art, to gear, and clothing.  So here are a few items we recommend this holiday season.


Wooly Bugged Beanie

Wooly Bugged is a small company from PA.  They offer a couple cool fishery designed beanies.  They have brook trout, brown trout, and the perfect for this time of year steelhead.  All made in the USA and hand crocheted 100% acrylic.  

Photo from woolybugged.com

Vedavoo - X Collection

Vedavoo has changed things up and made there made in the USA packs even more awesome.  They have added the X Collection which provides some awesome water protection at a great price and value.  The new beast also has a built-in net holder.

Photo from Vedavoo.com

Cliff Outdoors

Cliff offers some awesome fly boxes especially for big and meaty flies.  For the fly fisherman that always is on the road fishing.  The Cliff Head Liner is an awesome item.  It fits all car visors and securely holds your flies for on the go fishing.

Photo from cliffoutdoors.com

Catch Cam Nets

Catch Cam Nets made right here in WV offer a great way to capture the fish and the moment.  With there patented camera slide mounts it makes getting a picture of that trophy a breeze before release.  They now have the Native Net with a short handle and shallow bag and breaks down to fit in a suitcase.

Photo from catchcamnets.com

Flymen Fishing Company

Blane Chocklett is changing the game again.  Flymen is now offering up the micro-spine to tie up Blanes new Bugger Changer.

Photo from flymenfishingcompany.com

Fly Fishing Artists

Support a great fly fishing artist!  There is so many great artists in the fishing community.  Going to name 3 of them.  

Mike Williams – Mike does awesome things with a hat or a yeti and turns it into a one of a kind piece of artwork.    

Photo from greenbusdesigns.com

 TyHallock using sharpies to create a one of a kind fly boxes or your personalized catch and release print a true trophy in art.      

                                        

 Matthew Stockton using some cool methods to offer up predators on the fly and great fish decals and swag!

Photo from MatthewStockton.com

Risen Fly 
       Lillia's Lines of Love - Awesome bracelets that's proceeds go to help kids at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Photo from RisenFly.com

Local Fly Shop
As always support your local fly shop!!  Gift cards or anything you can to support them and keep them going is always great.              

Fly Fishing & Art

Fly Fishing is an art so why not put the two together and have Fly Fishing Art. A guy that's became like a brother to me Scott Hunter of Vedavoo is one of those crazy Fly Fishing Art guys he is always adding a new piece to his collection.  After always seeing what new piece of art he is adding or what new artist is doing a piece for a Vedavoo Reel Service Project the love for that art has grown a lot.  My blogging has been a little behind but with a lot of things with WVAngler we will be back doing a lot more things.  I wanted to take some time out to focus on some awesome people I have been following with their art work as of late.  Fly fishing is a great sport a sport that allows one to get away from the stress of day to day life and immerse himself into a piece of water and forget all that's going on around them just for that short period of time.  These great artists give us that avenue at times without even stepping foot on a stream.  A piece from them allows us to go back to that moment with a great fishing buddy, the fish of a lifetime, or just that bucket list moment that you want to dream about it gives us all so much more.

Ty Hallock known to most as the sharpie king takes regular fly boxes or coolers and creates a custom one of a kind trophy.  His work brings fly boxes to life.  You may have that tough day on the water and your throwing 10 inch musky flies all day and never see a fish and you get ready to quit for the day take your fly off throw it in the box and that piece of art gives you hope, hope of another follow another big fish that will inhale your fly as its stripping through the water.  You catch a memorable fish and do not want to forget it, its hard to be a custom sharpie fly box from Ty!

Mike Williams takes hat to a whole different level.  If you a hat person and you like art this guy is your man.  Mike takes an idea makes an outline then starts laying paint down and when he is done most people are amazed.  His work on a hat brings anything fly fishing related to life from flies, to fish, to flanks.  When you look at one of Mike's hats you see a live fish it has so much depth and realness to it.  Wearing one of Mike's hats puts you on the fish no matter if your on the stream or not truly wearing a one of a kind piece of art.

Matthew Stockton brings a complete different style of art to fly fishing.  Matthew brings a very energetic form with bright and flashy pieces.  Matt's work shows a true love for predator fish you will see a lot of musky, brown trout, and smallmouth.  When you see on of his pieces they jump off the canvas the bold bright colors and generally you will see a fish in chase of a fly which spells action packed artwork.

Andrea Larko brings a complete unique one of a kind design to fly fishing art.  Andrea uses a lot of Zen like forms to create works of art.  She covers any type of fish you can think of then goes a step further to offer just about everything on a sticker.  Nothing like driving down the road with some wicked fish art on your vehicle yes I have a problem with that.  She covers it all from a sticker for your ride to an awesome print for your fly tying room!

Jeff Currier is the man of many fish!  Jeff has tallied over 375 different species on a fly rod.  Jeff brings that extensive fishy knowledge to the artworld when he is doing a piece.  You name the species Jeff will put a perfect illustration on a Cliff box!  Great way to save that memory of that special species you caught.

So many other great artists out there in the fly fishing world from Callihan, DeYoung, Maddox, Hornung, and Puckett each with their own special talent and touch.  Support an artist and make your man cave look!