International Directory of Fly Fishing Clubs
for Women
click HERE

Want to submit photos for this site or the IWFF newsletter?
CLICK HERE

E-MAIL: IWFF

RENDEZVOUS 2005

MT. SHASTA, CALIFORNIA

It is a warm Saturday evening in July.  Darkness falls as the alpen glow on Mt. Shasta fades.  Members of IWFF, friends old and new, sit in overstuffed chairs at the Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast, reflecting on our weekend of fishing together.  And what a weekend it was!

The Gang:
Back row L-R
Susan Baer, Joyce Silva, Mary Ann Dozer, Elaine Almquist, Cheryl Bell,
Pat Magnuson
Front row L-R
Rachel Andras, Lori Philips, Judith Brown, Arianne

Deep winter snows and late spring rains this year created fine summer rainbow and brown trout fishing on the Upper Sacramento River.  Water conditions afforded us opportunities to pursue shallow and deep water nymphing, high stick nymphing and dry fly fishing.  Line and fly set ups were as creative as the women in attendance.  Expertise was gladly shared, techniques were fine tuned and everyone caught beautiful fish, the largest over eighteen inches long.  Favorite flies included midges, brassies, copper johns, ap’s, golden stones, stimulators, adams, pink cahills, elk hair caddis and the “Babe Fly”, so named by the proprietor of one of the local fly shops and reportedly tied by a woman in Montana.

In addition to the fishing, Rendezvous organizers extraordinaire Pat Magnuson and Joyce Silva arranged a Friday afternoon trip to the Sacramento River Exchange and to Tauhindauli Park in Dunsmuir, where we learned about local river conservation projects.  Friday evening, Craig Ballinger, guide and historian, presented a slide show on fishing techniques and local flora and fauna.  Saturday evening, Rachel Andras, guide and co-founder of the Shasta Mayflies, led a discussion on women in fly fishing, past and present.  We shared our experiences as women on the water and acknowledged the extraordinary camaraderie and support of our women's’ fly fishing community. 

In the heat of the afternoon, some of us went hiking and searching for wildflowers (and saw the elusive Shasta Lily), others took photographs, visited the Fish Hatchery and Sisson Museum (and saw the annual quilt show), shopped in town, and explored Mt. Shasta and the mineral baths and spa at nearby Stewart Springs.  Saturday afternoon there was an informal casting clinic on the lawn.

Evenings after fishing were spent getting to know one another better, telling fishing stories, and simply sharing life’s experiences (and there was some playing pool…best described as a “fierce competition” which left participants and observers laughing hysterically). 

After reflecting on our weekend of fishing, Pat asked each of us to share a fishing tip.  We now share those tips with all of you, in the hope that you will plan a Rendezvous in your area for us to attend and that you will join us for next year’s Mt. Shasta Rendezvous, to be held June 22-25, 2006.

• Use a wading staff.

• Become self-sufficient on the water.

• Know and practice your knots.

• Check your line and flies frequently; you will catch more fish if your line is in the water.

• Crimp down barbs before you hit the water.

• Be prepared; check your equipment.

• Never stop learning; accept what each teacher has to offer.

• Catching fish is only a small part of fishing; each moment on the water is a symphony and there is much pleasure in simply watching and enjoying the out of doors.

• When wading, walk between the rocks.

• Trust your instincts.

• Breathe and get centered before you step into the water.

• Talk to the fish.

• Fish with confidence in your program, whatever it may be.

• In fishing, as in life, there is simply no mastery of it; be present and embrace each moment spent fishing in the company of good friends.

Judith Brown
 03/27/2006

HOME  |  ABOUT US  |  MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION  |  MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 
CLUB LIAISON COMMITTEE |  PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE  |   FESTIVAL 2003 
  CONSERVATION   |  THE DIRECTORS

©2000 International Womens Fly Fishers/   All rights reserved. The textual, graphic, audio, and audiovisual material in this site is protected by United States copyright law and international treaties. You may not copy, distribute, or use these materials except as necessary for your personal, non-commercial use.