Finding Your Fishing Mentor

At Ontario Women Anglers, mentorship between members has been a joy to watch and something that has developed in our club through natural evolution. Experience levels among our members range from those that have never held a fishing rod to those that participate in tournaments and everything in between.

In our organization, we use a “women-mentoring-women” approach where newer anglers are supported by those with more experience. The majority of the novice anglers in our club have expressed that they are more at ease learning from other women and that they experience far fewer attitudinal barriers.

I was very fortunate in having two primary fishing mentors: first, my father Craig, who introduced all of his children to fishing at a young age and was responsible for my re-introduction to the sport in 2008 after a 30-year absence; and second, Jason Lush, a friend from a local badminton club, who taught me many of the fishing skills I still use today.

While my experience in finding a mentor was relatively easy, it can take a number of outings with a variety of people before you find that one person that is willing to share their knowledge with you and spend time on the water putting it into practical application. With the right person, it won’t be long before you are setting up your own rod, learning fishing knots, understanding what baits and lures to use in various applications, and a host of other important skills.

Commitment and trust are essential parts in the mentor-mentee relationship, for both parties. As a mentee, one should appreciate, not only the time the mentor shares, but also the years of experience and knowledge that they are willing to pass on. One way a mentee can show appreciation to their mentor is by contributing to the cost of gas put into the boat or by providing a meal during the outing. A mentor may also ask that certain fishing locations be kept in confidence as the work in finding may have taken years of research and time on the water.

A good fishing mentor is also a good conservationist, understanding the importance and responsibility of taking care of our natural resources for generations to come. They abide by the province’s fishing regulations, use proper fish care and handling techniques, dispose of their litter properly, and take on the role of steward in the outdoors. Good mentors coach and support new anglers while being sensitive to “stupid questions” mentees may feel they are asking.

If you are interested in learning how to fish or if you’re looking to get involved in an organization with like-minded women that participate in the sport, Ontario Women Anglers provides numerous opportunities to learn and get out on the water. To learn more about our club, please visit:  www.ontariowomenanglers.ca