National Women’s Fly Fishing Day

United States

About

National Women’s Fly Fishing Day, observed on June 27, celebrates women who enjoy the art, challenge, and peaceful rhythm of fly fishing. The day recognizes the growing participation of women in the sport and highlights the skill, patience, and connection with nature that fly fishing inspires.

It’s a wonderful occasion for experienced anglers to share their knowledge, for newcomers to try casting a line, and for everyone to appreciate the rivers, lakes, and streams that make the sport possible. Whether spent on the water, learning about conservation, or cheering on women in the fishing community, June 27 is an invitation to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate women in fly fishing.

History

National Women’s Fly Fishing Day is observed on **June 27**. The observance recognizes women who participate in fly fishing and highlights their growing presence in a sport that has often been portrayed as male-dominated. Although the day is a modern awareness observance rather than a centuries-old traditional holiday, it reflects the long history of women’s involvement in angling, conservation, outdoor recreation, and fisheries education.

Women have participated in fishing for centuries, including for food, livelihood, and recreation. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, however, published fishing literature, sporting clubs, and public representations of fly fishing frequently centered on men. Women anglers were sometimes treated as exceptions, even though historical photographs, personal accounts, and fishing writings show that women tied flies, fished rivers and lakes, and developed their own expertise. Over time, greater access to outdoor organizations, instruction, equipment, and professional opportunities helped make women’s participation more visible.

The observance has evolved alongside the expansion of women-focused fly-fishing groups, classes, guides, and community events. These efforts commonly emphasize instruction in casting, fly tying, equipment, water safety, and responsible angling, while also creating supportive environments for beginners and experienced fishers. In this sense, June 27 is not only a celebration of participation but also an opportunity to encourage mentorship and remove the barriers that can make outdoor sports seem inaccessible.

Culturally, National Women’s Fly Fishing Day connects recreation with environmental stewardship. Fly fishers often depend on healthy rivers, streams, and wetlands, so the day can draw attention to conservation, ethical catch-and-release practices, and the importance of protecting aquatic habitats. It also acknowledges women’s contributions as anglers, guides, conservationists, educators, business owners, and advocates. By observing the day on **June 27**, participants celebrate women’s achievements while encouraging broader and more inclusive involvement in fly fishing. (Background: [National Today](https://nationaltoday.com/national-womens-fly-fishing-day/))

Timeline

1496
Wynkyn de Worde printed "A Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle" as a standalone work. The influential English angling text, which discusses artificial flies, has traditionally been attributed to Dame Juliana Berners.
1892
Mary Orvis Marbury published "Favorite Flies and Their Histories," documenting fly patterns and anglers' accounts of their use. The book became a major early reference work on American fly fishing.
1926
Joan Salvato Wulff, an influential American fly-casting instructor, author, and competitive caster, was born. She later became one of the most prominent figures in women’s fly fishing.

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