Linda Heller Thrives in a Male Dominated Sport

April 5, 2015

Fly-fishing isn’t just for the guys. According to fly-fishing guide and instructor Linda Heller, despite the sport’s traditionally macho image, it’s attracting women in unprecedented numbers.

"Nationwide, the percentage of female anglers is growing. Statistics suggest that women who fish tend to prefer fly-fishing at a higher proportion than men," said the longtime fly-fishing proponent. "There’s nothing masculine about it. The nice thing about fly-fishing – and fishing in general – is it can be as technical, or as fun, as you want it to be, and older women are flocking to the sport."

Yet, fly-fishing remains the most maledominated form of fishing. Men comprise more than 70 percent of participants in the sport, but companies are becoming savvy to the market potential that women hold. While females represent less than one-third of all fishers nationwide, more than 47 percent of the uninitiated interested in fishing are women. Last year, the number of Americans trying fishing for the first time also "skewed heavily female."

A native Michigander, Heller now lives in North Carolina, but spends summers in the Harbor Springs area guiding and teaching both men and women. She says that, over the years, most male anglers have gained respect for female fly-fishers.

"It’s a sport appreciated by its participants, and respect among all fly-fishers is part of it. I don’t think you run into that macho attitude much today," she added. "That would be a serious mistake. There are many fine women fly-fishers, and more are coming on board each year."

It certainly would be a mistake where Heller is concerned. She is an accomplished angler, a fly-fishing instructor, a member of Temple Fork Outfitters advisory staff and she’s also on the advisory council for Schmidt Outfitters.

Heller will teach women the art and science of fly-fishing at an upcoming ladiesonly fly-fishing school at Schmidt Outfitters’ Wellston, Michigan location June 5-7.

"While some men are competitive in learning situations," Heller said," the ladiesonly workshops can be more communal.

They cheer together when someone does it right. They share stories. There’s a chit-chatting comfort level."

"Women can bond faster," she added. "In my workshop, I’ll try to break down the veil a little bit. When they see how much I love doing this, and that another woman can do it, they join right in."

Heller teaches the Lefty Kreh/Bob Clouser style of casting, which was designed to minimize stress on the casting arm joints and muscles.

"It’s casting from a two o’clock position with the arms, instead of the arms above the shoulders method, which is more stressful. The casting principles are useful for all levels of experience. Beginners learn to cast quickly and easily with little fatigue, while experienced anglers learn to extend distance with less effort," she explained.

The class also covers basic knots, techniques, equipment selection and features a fly-tying demonstration by Bob Clouser. It includes two days of on-the-water experience. The cost is $1,000 per angler, which includes three night’s lodging, all meals, instruction and guides. Space is limited to 10 participants.

Heller has been associated with Clouser for many years.

"I met him in 2000, after moving to North Carolina, at a fly fishing seminar. I just went up to him and told him that he needed a website to reach women with his natural, easy style of casting. We hit it off and I’ve been working with him for 15 years now, putting on classes and clinics in between guiding fly-fishers in both Carolina and Michigan," she elaborated.

Heller started fishing with her father around Grosse Point Shores, where she grew up, and fishing on her own from piers around Harbor Springs where they had a cottage.

"Like a lot of ladies that get into the sport, I started with my dad. When I moved to North Carolina in the 1980s, I started fly-fishing in the mountains because I didn’t live close to the coast and really enjoyed the experience. It evolved as I had more time to devote to it. I joined a fly-fisher’s club, and then when I met Clouser, it became my passion to teach other women how to enjoy the sport," she enthused.

"I’ve found that it’s particularly appealing to older women who have more time to devote to the sport, and they find like-minded women who also enjoy the outdoors. It’s a great way to stay in shape because you have to hike a bit to fish a bit," Heller laughed.

Practicing what she teaches, during the winter, Heller participates in lots of fly-fishing shows, but during the summer, when class is dismissed, you’ll find her fishing a river in northern Michigan. Sometimes she’s guiding both male and female fishers, other times she’s just enjoying some solitude on the stream.

For more information on the Women’s Fly Fishing School, call Schmidt Outfitters at 231-848-4191.