Social media is full of new female anglers proclaiming themselves fishing influencers, but these women are the real deal.
Every time I log onto Instagram, I see a new 20-something-year-old posting fishing tips and promo codes for a fly rod or swimbait or some other fishing tackle.
While it's great to see new female faces popping up in the fishing world and more women fishing, these aren't the ladies who should be "influencing" you or your daughters. In fact, they haven't even been alive for as long as many of the true angling pioneers have been fishing.
They might not be as active on the interwebs, but these women anglers are the true female pros of the fishing industry.
Jen Ripple
Jen is not only a proficient fly angler but also the owner and editor-in-chief of DUN Magazine, created and edited by women but regarded by all fly anglers.
A well-respected voice in the fly fishing industry, she's made major waves that have resulted in more gear options and opportunities for women.
Jen's caught fish on the fly in Florida, the Bahamas, and everywhere in between. She spends her free time leading casting and fly tying clinics and participating in conservation efforts.
April Vokey
April Vokey fished for the first time as a toddler, and she hasn't stopped since.
A former fishing guide of 10 years, April now hosts the Anchored Outdoors podcast where she asks guests from the outdoor industry probing, interesting questions you won't hear anywhere else. She's also appeared World Fishing Network's ShoreLines with April Vokey, which she wrote and hosted herself.
In order to fish for saltwater species in addition to freshwater, she now splits her time between Canada and Australia/New Zealand.
Trait Zaldain
Influencers can fake know-how, but you can't fake bass fishing tournament appearances. Trait hails from Fort Worth, Texas and has been competing in the sport of fishing since 2011, with major top-four finished under her belt.
She's married to Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain, and the pair of bass anglers hosts the YouTube series Zaldaingerous.
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NEXT: FLY FISHING VS. CONVENTIONAL FISHING: PROS, CONS, AND WHY WE LOVE BOTH
