‘Casting Forward’: Ms. Mayhem Explores How Women are Changing Fly Fishing

Ms. Mayhem is revisiting fly fishing—a prevalent pastime among Coloradan outdoor enthusiasts and historically considered a male-dominated activity—in its ambitious film project, Casting Forward. The Denver-based publication’s reporters traveled across the state and country to discover how women are contributing to the sport and evolving long-held stereotypes for future generations.

The publication is planning a premiere and feature-length, interactive event for the project on May 18 at Denver’s Bug Theater from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees can expect socializing, presentation of the individual video segments, talk-back sessions with several of the film’s sources, and door prizes.

For those of us unfamiliar with fly fishing: Traditional fishing methods are replaced with a lightweight bait resembling a fly which is cast onto the water’s surface. The technique requires particular skill in the way the fly lands on the water and appears to fish. Additional gear and equipment differences comprise the angler’s outfit, as well as the experience of being physically present in the water.

Madison Lauterbach, Ms. Mayhem‘s editor-in-chief and founder, spearheaded the video series. Her father taught her how to fly fish, and she describes herself as a a frequent visitor of the Colorado River over the last 10 years.

Lauterbach’s inspiration for the project began upon discovering that women’s fly fishing gear, even when provided by some of the most well-known outfitters, is often developed carelessly from men’s measurements. Poorly-fitted essential items like boots and waders can lead to hazards when walking around in the water, while equipment like cork handles on rods are typically made to fit men’s hands. In other instances, women’s gear options feature bright pink shades, often unappealing in outdoor settings and leaving many women fly fishers feeling misunderstood.

Lauterbach decided to transform her frustration into a cause.

“I started looking up women-owned fly fishing and gear companies,” Lauterbach says. “I wanted to see how women were remedying these issues within the industry. From there, it quickly snowballed into this massive multimedia project.”

In April 2021, Ms. Mayhem reporters began the Casting Forward endeavor by speaking with equipment company founders, listening to women’s safety concerns on the water, and learning how women are shaping conservation efforts. The team traversed Colorado, conducted virtual interviews, and even ventured to Chattanooga, Tennessee to the bring their stories to a wider audience.

While several women fly fishers began pioneering new perceptions of the sport during the 20th century, “One of the things that surprised me the most during this project was just how much of a boys’ club fly fishing really is. When we say something is ‘male-dominated,’ a lot of times, we just think that just means there are more men than women. Fly fishing, and outdoor sports in general, are male-centric,” she reflects.

In addition to changing the quality and availability of gear, growing the presence of women in the sport can provide meaningful social and ecological changes. Lauterbach discusses how women may have different outlooks as both leaders and teachers in the outdoors and that their involvement can contribute important values like conservation to younger enthusiasts.

“There’s a program called STREAM Girls, run by Trout Unlimited chapters in partnership with Girl Scouts,” Lauterbach says. “They use fly fishing as a tool to teach young girls about STEM (science, technology, education, and math) and conservation. It’s an amazing program that will no doubt foster a lasting connection to science for some of these girls. Getting more women in the STEM fields will only help further conservation efforts as well.”

Still, a great deal of work remains. Women have encountered situations of being treated unequally by fly shop owners and have received unwelcoming rhetoric from men in fly fishing. In other occurrences, it’s simply a matter of a lack of awareness, as men in the sport may not consider these struggles to be a big deal or may be uninformed of the challenges that exist. Not unexpectedly, women and those of other marginalized groups experience similar treatment in numerous other men-centered activities as well.

“I hope that the predominantly white men who see our videos will realize what it takes for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities to actually get out on the water,” Lauterbach says. “It’s not just as simple as picking up a rod and getting out on the river.”

Lauterbach continues her passion of fly fishing because it gives her “a chance to fall off the world, away from the stressors in my life. All I’m paying attention to is my casting, watching my line for tension, and setting the hook when a fish takes the fly.” Those types of activities are more important than ever today. “It really is a sort of meditation,” she says.

Looking ahead to the May premiere event, Lauterbach says she’s most hopeful that the people who haven’t picked up a rod in their life will come to join and learn.

“These stories aren’t just for life-long anglers—Anyone who is interested in conservation or social equity should be interested in hearing what these women have to say,” she concludes. “And who knows, maybe they’ll get inspired enough to join us on the river.”

Tickets for the Casting Forward premiere are available now at Ms. Mayhem.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Mayhem