Whether it's adventure travel, hiking clubs, or fly fishing, there's something really special about being outdoors with all women. And while many women have been fishing since they were kids, there's something to be said about hooking fish and learning new things with a group of all ladies—or learning to fly fish for your first time from them!
All-women's fly fishing trips and clinics are a fantastic way to make new friends and network with potential mentors. They, by nature, foster a very welcoming, noncompetitive environment that helps break down barriers of accessibility to a sport that can seem complicated and intimidating from the outside. They are also just plain fun, and heading off on a girls' getaway can feel far more empowering than feeling the need to prove your fly-fishing skills to a group of guys.
Whether you're a newbie wanting to learn the ropes from other women or a seasoned angler planning a fly fishing outing for your favorite friends, an all-women's trip may be the right choice for you. While we've listed a number of organizations below that offer all-women's trips, it's also worth asking outfitters and lodges if they offer special packages or events for women. Either way, there's likely a trip or perfect destination for you to escape testosterone and enjoy a ladies-only adventure.
1. Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures
Co-founded by Lori-Ann Murphy in 1992, Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures is an award-winning operator of fly fishing classes, clinics, and exciting trips. With impressive client-to-instructor ratios, their Reel Women Guide School and Back to Basics classes help lady anglers learn and improve technique, provide answers to common questions, and offer tailored instruction based on individual needs. Here are some of their most popular group destinations, and they also offer private clinics and fly fishing trips.
Belize Permit Quest
Head to beautiful Belize for the trip of a lifetime, in pursuit of the elusive permit, or palometa, a highly prized and beautiful fish. This saltwater trip includes five days of guided fishing and six nights at the Hol Chan Reef Resorts and Villas in an area with a large population of permits. Team clinics on the flats will improve your fly fishing skills and help you land a fish for the books. These trips are open to anglers of any skill level and are typically scheduled for February, making it the perfect midwinter getaway. Full trip packages cost between $3,495 and $3,795 depending on your chosen accommodations.
Madison River Trip
Timed around the July salmon fly hatch on the Madison River in Montana, the Madison River Trip boasts prime fishing in a scenic setting. The six-day, seven-night trip includes three days of guided fishing from drift boats and three days of wading various sections of the iconic river. Anglers have the option to fish solo or get instruction, as well as the chance to participate in clinics with Lori-Ann Murphy. This trip, which includes a stay at the El Western in Ennis, Montana, rings in between $3,795 and $3,995 depending on your chosen accommodations.
Yellowstone River Trip
Fall in Big Sky Country offers incredible views and great fishing for big brown trout. The Yellowstone River features three days of guided fishing along the Yellowstone River surrounded by wildlife and beautiful scenery. The package includes four nights lodging at the Shorthill Lodge near Livingston, Montana in Paradise Valley for $3,195 or $3,495 depending on accommodation.
2. Women's Fly Fishing Alaska
With over 30 years in business under owner Linda Leary, Women's Fly Fishing Alaska offers incredible opportunities for any woman to experience angling in Alaska. In addition to in-person fly fishing classes and the FUNdamentals Summer Camp for girls ages 10-15, Women's Fly Fishing also hosts trips in Alaska, the Bahamas, and the San Juans throughout the year. You can gather a group of girlfriends or head north solo, and fly anglers of all skill levels are welcome. In fact, their website says they specialize in helping beginners succeed. They're also partnered with FisheWear, which creates functional fishing fashion for women, including dry bags, hats, and clothing. Here are a couple of Women's Fly Fishing Alaska's coolest trip options.
Alaska Swinging for Steelhead
Head to Yakutat, Alaska for a bucket-list trip and catch world-class steelhead. The trip package includes three days of fully guided fly fishing and all required gear, as well as four nights of lodging at the Glacier Bear Lodge. The trip runs in mid-May for $3,250 per person, and couples are welcome.
Beginning Fly Fishing School
This weekend getaway in June is the perfect introduction to fly fishing. Enjoy three days and two nights in the quiet town of Petersville as you learn the ropes of tying knots, identifying flies, casting, and even cooking salmon. Lodging is at the beautiful Gate Creek Cabins, where you can enjoy views of Denali and Sultana. This course costs $1,250.
Bonefish in the Bahamas
Although Women's Fly Fishing Alaska is obviously best known for its trips within the state, the company also operates trips to other destinations including the Bahamas. Bonefish in the Bahamas runs in mid-February, making it the perfect winter break trip. Enjoy white sand beaches, palm trees, and sunshine as you fish for a world-class bonefish. This women's only trip includes three days and four nights and runs for $5,750.
3. Montana Women's Fly Fishing School
Montana Women's Fly Fishing School is run by Gallatin River Guides, a company that has been guiding anglers in Montana for a combined fifty years. They're known for their laid-back lifestyle and are eager to share it with women who are looking to learn fly fishing. Their three-day courses run April through August out of Bozeman, Montana, and feature daily on-the-water sessions in a number of small creeks, rivers, and private lakes, including the Madison, Yellowstone, and Gallatin Rivers. With so many fishing options in the area, they're able to fully tailor the course to meet student's needs and the current fishing conditions. This amazing course features a 2 to 1 student-instructor ratio and runs $1,290 per person.
4. SheJumps River School
SheJumps is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to increasing the participation of women and girls in the outdoors. Known for their inclusive environments, they offer everything from mountain biking clinics to alpine climbing courses. They also host an all-women's River School every year, featuring a River Development course and a River Finishing School, both hosted in the western United States. The series is designed to offer a complete education on fishing and river stewardship, and the online and in-person events are curated by world-renowned guides. SheJumps River School is dedicated to not only providing technical instruction but also ongoing mentorship and environmental stewardship.
Whether you're just beginning your fly fishing journey or have been at it for years, the SheJumps River School has something for everyone.
5. The Fly Shop: Women's 3-Day Schools
The Fly Shop has been California's fly-fishing headquarters for years and offers everything from tackle to guides to travel advice. They also have fly fishing courses, including a Women's 3-Day School. This course features expert instruction on casting, tackle, fly fishing knows, reading water, and landing and releasing fish. It is ideal for both beginner and intermediate anglers and will prepare would-be fly fisherwomen for any environment, from Alaska to Argentina.
The school is held at the Fly Shop's beautiful Antelope Creek Ranch on the northeast side of Mount Shasta, California. The property is managed to provide fish and fauna the best habitat possible, and deer and trout abound. All meals, lodging, and equipment are provided for $1,595 to $2,095 depending on accommodation choice.
6. Sisters on the Fly
Founded in 1999 by Maurrie Sussman and Rebecca Clarke, Sisters on the Fly boasts a current membership of over 800 female fly anglers with members in all 50 states as well as three other countries. Membership costs $70 per year and includes a variety of benefits including access to exclusive members-only meetups, activities, and trips. While an event calendar is not publicly available to outsiders, their sample events calendar includes multi-stop adventures through the Florida Keys, campground outings in Arizona, and an exciting event on the Big Hole River. These are reportedly friendly on the wallet too.
READ MORE: 10 of the Coolest Fishing Lodges in America to Book for Vacation
