Columnist Paula DelGiudice: ‘Fishing Week’ to help new faces try sport

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, June 7, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

Sunday was the first official day of National Fishing Week, which this year focuses on encouraging more women to fish.

According to the National Fishing Week Steering Committee, women make up more than one-third of the angling population. Their participation grew 5.1 percent over the last year.

Recently a survey conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association discovered that fishing is the fifth most popular outdoor activity with women. Activities ranking higher were: exercise walking, swimming, camping and exercising with equipment.

More women are fishing for several reasons. Because more women are enjoying wildlife and outdoor activities, fishing is a great way to spend time with family, and fishing is a new challenge providing a sense of independence and escape.

During the past 10 years, several programs have enabled women to develop angling skills and a network of fishing companions. These programs offer a variety of courses for women year-round.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (www.uwsp.edu/general/commun/bow) is one of the best programs available. As a member of its international board of directors, I've watched BOW blossom and grow in the United States and Canada. I've taught at BOW programs in other states and have watched women who were interested in learning outdoor skills try out new things in a safe environment.

Unfortunately, Nevada is one of only a few states that doesn't host a BOW weekend workshop. We're out to change that, however, and are looking for a few women who would be interested in planning a workshop for Southern Nevada. Those interested should send e-mail to PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

Other programs include Women in the Outdoors (www.nwtf.org/women), a spinoff of BOW hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation. The highly successful "Step Outside" program encourages those who are active outdoors people to introduce others to outdoor activities. Ladies Let's Go Fishing (www.ladiesletsgofishing.com) is yet another program aimed at introducing women to the sport of angling.

National Fishing Week has recently launched a Web site, (www.gofishing.org/women.htm or AOL keyword FBN) that will make it easier for women to find more fishing information.

National Fishing Week is the perfect time for women to try the sport. Forty-one states, including Nevada, have Free Fishing Days when license requirements are waived. Saturday is Nevada's Free Fishing Day.

Not only are license requirements waived, but thousands of fish are being stocked and a number of special events have been planned.

Ivy Santee, angler education coordinator for the Nevada Division of Wildlife, said creeks in the Monitor and Toiyabe mountain ranges of central Nevada as well as lakes in Lincoln, Nye and White Pine counties have been stocked with rainbow trout in preparation for Free Fishing Day. Ponds at Floyd Lamb State Park and Lorenzi Park were stocked on Tuesday.

A free children's clinic and derby will be held at Floyd Lamb at 10 a.m. on Free Fishing Day. Registration begins at the park at 9:30 a.m.

Other events include a free derby for all ages at Echo Canyon State Park in Lincoln County and a children's derby at Cave Lake State Park in White Pine County. Both events begin at 8 a.m. Information may be obtained by calling Santee at 486-5127, ext. 3503.