Written by: Jackie Jordan
Lots of women attended the event, eager to meet and learn from other female anglers.
Photo by Jeff Yates
With the success of last year’s Women’s Fly Fishing Round Table, The Fly Fishing Show sponsored a weekend-long Women’s Fly Fishing Showcase not far from the expo’s main floor in Somerset, New Jersey this past weekend.
The presentations featured an array of topics that included the history of women in fly fishing, techniques of making bamboo fly rods, fishing with Tenkara, and packing for a destination trout trip. Other presentations involved casting classes and introducing kids to fishing.
This year’s round-table discussion was hosted by Trout Unlimited’s NLC Women’s Initiative Workgroup: Kerri Russell, Kelly Buchta, and Jackie Jordan. The topic was The Reflection Pool: Women in the Angling Community. Women discussed their roles within the industry, any conservation efforts or groups they were involved in at home, and shared ideas on how we can improve the lines of communication among each other in the future.
TU’s NLC WI Workgroup: (from left to right) Kerri Russell, Kelly Buchta, Jackie Jordan
Photo by Jeff Yates
The Orvis women’s team was also involved in Saturday’s Trunk Show Social. This well-attended gathering was more than just a networking event; it gave women the opportunity to try on women’s-specific fishing apparel as well as talk to the women who develop, wear and use it. Teams participated from Orvis, Patagonia, Simms, Hunter Banks, Upper Canyon Outfitters, and Frontiers Travel.
As you can see, there were also plenty of men there to support the showcase and its goals.
Photo by Jess McGlothlin
The Orvis Women’s Trout Bum team included Kate Hadeka, Women’s Product Developer; Chrissy Penn, Analyst & Merchandise Coordinator for Rod & Tackle; Jess McGlothlin, Outdoor Copywriter; and Jackie Jordan, Women’s Associate Art Director.
Kerri Russell is the NLC WI Chair, the Arkansas WI Chair, and Mid-South Regional WI Chair. Kelly Buchta is the NLC WI Vice Chair, the New Jersey WI Chair, and Mid-Atlantic Regional WI Chair. Jackie Jordan is the NLC WI Secretary, the Vermont WI Chair, and Northeast Regional WI Chair.