Women Net Fishing Skill at Ft. Lauderdale "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" Seminar
Ladies from all over the USA reeled in good times, fishing skills and camraderie.

Posted Wednesday, April 2, 2008

 
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FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - 4/08 - Ladies came from as far away as Massachusetts to learn fishing South Florida style at the 11th Annual "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!' seminar Mar. 28-30 at the Ramada Inn Airport and Marina Bay docks. Almost 50 women spent their weekend learning saltwater fishing and conservation skills at the seminar, held in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and presented by Mercury Outboards. Known as the "No-Yelling School of Fishing," the seminar offered a welcome reception on Fri. March 28, fishing classes and hands-on instruction on Sat. March 29 and a fishing adventure on Sun. March 30.

Graduates came from many walks of life and for a variety of reasons. Participants were married women, single moms, business owners, attorneys, doctors, marine industry professionals, retirees, homemakers, teachers and more. Lynn Keller, Naples, FL brought her mother so they could escape family pressures and enjoy a weekend in
the outdoors together. Both Stephanie Tidwell, Lakeland, FL and Sorrin Boys, Delray Beach, FL came to learn fishing skills to teach their children. Betty Falsey, Cambridge, MA hadn't had much opportunity to fish until she was motivated by her sister, Barbara, N. Miami Beach, FL to take the class together. "Fishing was the common denominator in the room," commented seminar Director, Betty Bauman, recipient of national awards for the program's success.

After the reception on Friday evening, Saturday's learning sessions were conducted on beginner and intermediate/advanced levels by local speakers: Capt. Tony DiGiulian/bluewater fishing, Capt. Wayne Conn/bottom fishing, Chuck Baldwin/inshore fishing, Twig Tolle/fly fishing and Capt. Lee Lavery/fishing basics. The seminars utilized several "hands-on" fishing exercises on Saturday afternoon, such as spin casting, net casting, knot tying, gaffing grapefruits, conservation, boat handling, backing a truck and trailer and reeling against pressure. After the half day fishing trip on Sunday, the event concluded with a fish fillet demonstration at the Radisson Bahia Mar dock. A highllight of the trip, described as an 'adrenaline rush', was a 60 lb. golden amberjack caught by a team of ladies aboard Lady Pamela. "The whole experience was so great that we will be back again!" said Brenda Franklin, Rock Hill, SC. On the majority of the boats, practically every participant had a chance to fight a fish.

Featured on national network television and more, the series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, with major partners such as Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops, Ranger, BoatU.S. ANGLER Insurance, Gulfstream Int'l Airlines, Ocean LED and Shimano.

Seminar registration was $145 per person including instruction, use of equipment, hands-on training, Welcome Reception, meals, T-shirts, goody bags and more. The half day Fishing Adventure, with tackle and bait provided, was additional.

The next seminar will be held at Pirates Cove in Stuart, FL May 16-18, followed by Sarasota, FL Aug. 22-24, Holiday Isle in Islamorada, FL September 19-21 and a ladies-only trip to Alaska on August 27-30. A limited number of scholarships for seminar registration and party boat fishing are available for women in a low income
bracket. Those interested can email a short paragraph about their situation, why they want to take the course and contact information, with "scholarship" in the subject line. Requests will only be accepted via email and must be submitted no later than two weeks in advance of the seminar. This is provided by the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling. "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" also offers memberships in local chapters in Florida for seminar graduates. For more information, call (954) 475-9068, email info@ladiesletsgofishing.com or visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.