All too often, fly fishing is considered to be a sport for men and men alone. Today, however, more and more women are discovering the joys of fly fishing and claiming this hobby for themselves. Here are ten of the top reasons why women are beginning to learn more about fly fishing and why they are trying out this interesting and relaxing sport.

1. Connect with Nature
   Women spend far too much time these days behind a desk at the office or recovering from a long day’s work at home. Fly Fishing gives you the chance to reconnect with the sheer beauty of nature. Surround yourself with the rushing beauty of the river, the rustling of the trees overhead, the joy of seeing wildlife in its natural habitat. Feel inspired by the grace and splendor of the natural world.



2. Enjoy the Health Benefits of Fresh Air
   Sitting inside all day can have a strong negative impact on a woman’s health. From poor ergonomic desk designs that cause strain on the back, neck, and wrists to stuffy, recycled air that picks up the germs of the entire office, too much time inside can drain your energy, cause muscle aches and pains, and make you sick.
   
   Getting out in the fresh air can invigorate you and stretch muscles used to remaining in cramped positions for far too long. The sun’s rays are full of healthy Vitamin D and can lift your mood and help you sleep more soundly.



3. Relax in a Beautiful Environment
   The repetitive actions and patient waiting of fly fishing is very soothing. You will find yourself sinking into a relaxed state similar to what you experience during meditation or yoga. The sound of running water and the quiet tranquility of your surroundings enhance your feelings of inner peace, leaving you feeling more rested. A single day of fly fishing can make you feel as relaxed and refreshed as an entire week’s vacation.



4. Get Away from Everyday Pressures
   Many women feel the pressure to fill a variety of challenging roles: Superwoman at the office, Supermom and Superwife at home. The chances are high that you spend a huge amount of your time running around and doing chores for other people, always with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
   
   Fly fishing gives you the opportunity to step away from the expectations of other people, and have time just for yourself. This adventurous sport gives you the time to ground and to center yourself, re-energizing yourself to face the challenges of everyday life with aplomb.



5. Give Yourself Time to Think
   Fly fishing is a quiet pastime by nature. Loud noises and constant chatter would frighten away your potential catch. In this soothing silence, you have the peace and the time to give rein to your imagination, reflecting on your life and considering your goals and challenges. Urgent deadlines, the emails piling up in your inbox, the next big meeting with the staff… all of these concerns just slip away. You might be surprised by how much difference a change of surroundings and the luxury of time for thought can make on your perspective. The solutions to challenges at work or at home can come to you in a flash, and you will find yourself more open to creativity and inspiration.



6. Simple to Start
   Fly fishing is a very friendly sport for beginners. You don’t need thousands of dollars worth of equipment or lessons to get started, just a rod, a fly (or fly lure), some water with fish in it, and the will to learn. You can pick up the basics by reading, and practice until you are perfect. There is nearly no barrier to starting whatsoever.



7. Master a Variety of Tactics and Strategies
   Fly fishing is easy to start, but challenging to master. This is the case if you are standing in shallow rapids or quietly floating down a slow moving river in your pontoon fishing boat. You are basically trying to convince a fish that your fly is food. And let’s face it, fish are experts at discerning food from trash and other non-edibles. It takes skill to detect where the fish are likely to be, patience to blend in with the surroundings in order to avoid scaring them off, and shrewd strategy to create an attractive fly and to make it move like a tasty fish treat.
   
   Fly fishing is a complex sport whose challenges grow with your skill level. This means that you will never reach the point where there is nothing new to learn, and you can be sure that you will not get jaded or bored with the process.



8. Experience the Exhilaration of the Chase
   The thrill of the hunt is an instinct that is embedded deep within each one of us. The feeling of outsmarting a crafty adversary, hooking the fish, struggling with it, and triumphing to reel it in is amazingly exhilarating, sending feelings of victory crashing through your system – even if you decide to release the fish again. Fly fishing is a safe and exciting way to experience the primal sensations of hunting and capturing your own food.



9. Spend Time With Family and Friends
   This could be one of the best reasons to start fly fishing. There is probably no better place to create new memories with a loved one or a close friend than to spend a few hours or maybe a weekend with them close to nature. The calm of fly fishing and just "living in the moment" will create an experience that neither of you will ever forget.



10. Bragging Rights
    At the end of the day, fly fishing is a very satisfying experience. You’ll feel good about your newly-earned knowledge and excited about new tricks and tactics to use next time. You’ll feel charged up by your successes, and even if you fail, you’ll have your own stories of “the big one that got away.” Either way, you’ll feel more competent, more self-assured, and ready to face new challenges in your daily life after a peaceful day of fly fishing.

About the Author
Sandra Grauschopf is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of professional writing experience. She enjoys researching and sharing her knowledge about topics like Fly Fishing for Beginners, the Advantages of an Inflatable Kayak, Benefits and Drawbacks of Rigid Inflatable Boats and Inflatable Pontoon Boats - A Fisherman's Dream.

Back to Hooked-on-Flies Fly Fishing Articles