Ladies go Fishing

[eppefour]

Press release from Ladies go Fishing. Trip to the seminar would make a good christmas present.
LADIES, LET’S GO FISHING!”® SEMINAR RETURNS TO MARINA BAY, MARCH 23-25, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING!
Ft Lauderdale, FL December 2006 “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!”® will commemorate its tenth anniversary by returning to its roots. On March 23-25, 2007, LLGF will conduct a portion of its first Ft. Lauderdale seminar at Marina Bay, the location of its first-ever event. Other activities will be held nearby at the Ramada Inn Airport, with fishing departures from Radisson Bahia Mar. Hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and presented by Mercury Outboards, the weekend event emphasizes conservation and features classroom sessions, hands-on skill practice and an optional angling adventure.

Activities launch on Friday, from 6:30-8:30pm with a welcome reception at the Ramada Inn Airport, 2275 W. State Road 84, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312. Saturday’s classroom presentations begin at 7:30am, with beginner and advanced sessions on topics including Fishing Basics, Offshore, Bottom, Inshore and Fly Fishing. After lunch, participants practice hands-on techniques such as releasing, knot tying and lure rigging. At the Marina Bay docks and areas, they will spin cast, tie knots, gaff grapefruits, back a truck and trailer, try boat handling and more until 4:30pm.

On Sunday, the ladies board boats at approximately 7am at the Radisson Bahia Mar docks for a half day fishing trip. The boats return for a fillet demonstration.

Reflecting on the first-ever seminar, Betty Bauman, LLGF Founder commented, "Who would have imagined when we started at Marina Bay that, in ten years, the program would have been featured on multiple national television programs and would have helped almost 5,000 women to experience the excitement of fishing!" The first seminar in 1997 attracted 125 participants.
The series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration program, with major partners such as Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops, Ranger, Boat/U.S. Marine Insurance, Gulfstream Int’l Airlines, Lowrance, NetBank and Shimano. Annual partners include Magic Tilt Trailers, Eagle Claw, Maxima, Minn Kota and more. In addition to the Ft. Lauderdale seminar, the 2007 schedule includes a seminar at Pirates Cove in Stuart, FL May 18-20 and special events such as a co-ed trip to Costa Rica on Jan. 25-29 and a ladies-only trip to Alaska on July 30 - Aug. 3. “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” also offers memberships in local chapters in Florida.

Registration to be posted on our website soon...

Registration for the Ft. Lauderdale seminar is $135 per person, including instruction, use of equipment, hands-on training, Welcome Reception, meals, T- shirts and more. The Fishing Adventure, with tackle provided, costs an additional $35 to $105, depending upon the category of charter vessel selected. For more information, call (954) 475-9068, email billfishbetty@hotmail.com or visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
CALENDAR INFO: "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!"® saltwater fishing seminar for women, March 23-25, 2007 at Marina Bay, Ft. Lauderdale. Registration of $135 includes welcome party, classes at beginner/advanced levels, lunch, hands-on skill stations, T-shirt and more. Fishing adventure fees range from $35 - $105 Second seminar in 2007 scheduled for May 18-20, Stuart, FL. Contact "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!", phone 954-475- 9068, fax 954-474-7299, email billfishbetty@hotmail.com, website www.ladiesletsgofishing.com. Hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and presented by Mercury Outboards.



WISHING YOU THE BEST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
LLGF STAFF
Email: billfishbetty@hotmail.com
Phone: 954-475-9068

[eppefour]

Ft Lauderdale, FL December 2006 When "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" proposed a fishing seminar series for women in 1997, they had plenty of doubters. "People laughed when they heard our initial concept," said the program's founder, Betty Bauman. "Some men could not fathom how their wives could possibly learn more about fishing from anyone other than them." Little did Bauman imagine that ten years and almost 5,000 graduates later, the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" name would be recognized around the world.

Based on a hunch there were millions of women who might try fishing if they had the opportunity to practice techniques in a non- intimidating environment, Bauman was further inspired by a speech made in 1995 by the President of the American Sportfishing Association about the lack of participation by women in the sport. Though there was little market research about women and fishing, Bauman felt that more women would fish if they had a chance to pick up the equipment and learn its usage.

Bauman approached the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with the prospect of a weekend seminar where women could learn fishing theory, practice fishing skills, participate in a fishing trip and conclude with learning how to fillet the catch. The FWC, through Sport Fish Restoration Funds, became her partner, with the additional objective of teaching conservation. Marine industry leaders followed suit.

The first event in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in June of 1997, with 120 participants was a huge success. Women interested in fishing came from all walks of life, ranging from sales clerks to homemakers to business owners.

The weekend seminars typically begin with a reception on Friday evening. Early on Saturday, classroom sessions are held at beginner and advanced levels on inshore, offshore and bottom fishing. Lunch is served, followed by a fly fishing demonstration and a multitude of hands-on stations where women practice fishing skills such as knot tying, bait rigging, boat handling, fish release procedures, trailer backing, casting, net casting and even reeling against a "human fish." Nicknamed the “No-Yelling School of Fishing” the program works to prevent misunderstanding, the cause of most yelling, through education. The series expanded to four Florida cities, fly fishing seminars in Colorado and special events in Alaska, Costa Rica and the British Virgin Isles.

Spanning an entire weekend, the seminars attracts 60 - 100 students each and annually enlist the services of more than 100 volunteers. "We're changing the way women look at this sport," commented Bauman, "by providing the know-how in a fun, comfortable atmosphere with a chance for social networking." The organization started a pilot program for local chapters to provide a means for women to continue their learning. Graduates have purchased boats and equipment as a result of taking the course, and prior novices have become professional tournament anglers.

The program has been recognized in Washington, D.C. by the country's Senators and Congress through the prestigious, national "Woman of the Year" award. The marine media embraced the concept, followed by national media such as Inside Edition, NBC's Nightly News, CBS's Early Show, USAToday, The Wall Street Journal and more. Corporations such as Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops, Ranger, Boat/U.S. Marine Insurance, Gulfstream Int'l Airlines, Lowrance, Netbank and more partnered with the cause. The seminar registration, including use of equipment, on-site meals, t-shirt and goody bag, ranged from $120 - $150 in 2006. The fishing excursion was additional.
Challenged with balancing increasing costs of facilities, food and gas with a reasonable registration fee, the staff is seeking more industry participation to support the series. Commented Bauman, "We might be the only organization that offers such an opportunity. Our ability to reach this niche market is partly attributed to our own research of women and their motivations for entering the sports of fishing and boating. Knowing their demographics, what they read and other sports they like enables us to continue to attract women to a sport they can learn and enjoy."

According to Bauman, the most important development has been the increase of acceptance by women to try the sport. "Women will try boating and fishing, once we have opened the door," she explained, "Once they learn they can fish, they will."

Stay tuned for the 2007 schedule!

[Surfergirl]

THAT IS FRIGGIN AWSOME!!... I would like to attend that.
I think I might if my boss will agree to it.

I think it is a great thing, I also believe women can out fish men ANYDAY!!.. we have the God given finesse it takes to catch and reel in the fish.

Thanks for the post, and the information.


Surf

[Surfergirl]

I personally would one day like to see a women against men tournament.. now that would be fun!

But, Ladies need to get out there and try fishing and learn that it is an awsome experience... I am trying to do my part ... and if we have more teaching seminar's like this one I feel it would help.. some women do not feel comfortable asking questions on things they do not know about and many have been told (including me) that women are not suppose to do things guys do.
I was told MANY MANY times when I started in this business that I would not make it because I was a girlie, Now the men are finally realizing that we can do it and sometimes better.

I know that there are more and more women realizing that we are strong enough and that squid juice washes off