National Women’s Fly Fishing Day
June 27
About National Women’s Fly Fishing Day
National Women’s Fly Fishing Day takes place on Saturday, 27 June 2026. The day celebrates and encourages women anglers, recognising the growing community of women who fly fish and inviting more women to pick up a rod for the first time. It falls on the same fixed date each year and is observed by anglers, clubs, and outdoor brands across the United States and beyond.
How to Celebrate National Women’s Fly Fishing Day
Whether you have never held a fly rod or you have spent decades on the water, there are plenty of ways to take part:
- Book a beginner casting lesson – Many fly shops and clubs run women-only intro sessions around late June. A qualified instructor can teach you a basic roll cast in an afternoon, which is the single biggest barrier most newcomers face.
- Join a women’s fly fishing group – Organisations such as United Women on the Fly and local Trout Unlimited chapters host meet-ups, clinics, and group trips that make getting started far less daunting.
- Get out on the water – The simplest way to mark the day is to go fishing. Pick a nearby river, lake, or stillwater and spend a few hours practising your cast, even if you do not catch a thing.
- Mentor a beginner – If you are an experienced angler, invite a friend, daughter, or colleague who has never tried the sport. Sharing the basics is the quickest way to grow the community.
- Support a women-led fly fishing brand – A growing number of female founders make rods, waders, and apparel designed for women. Buying from them helps sustain a more inclusive industry.
- Practise your knots and fly tying – You do not need water to take part. Spend the day tying a few flies or mastering the clinch and surgeon’s knots at the kitchen table.
- Share your story online – Post a photo from the riverbank, a favourite fly pattern, or a first-catch memory to inspire others and show that fly fishing is for everyone.
- Volunteer for conservation – Healthy rivers mean better fishing. Join a streambank clean-up or habitat project to give back to the waters you enjoy.
What is National Women’s Fly Fishing Day?
National Women’s Fly Fishing Day is an annual celebration dedicated to women in the sport of fly fishing. It honours the women who already fish and aims to welcome newcomers into what has historically been a male-dominated pastime. The day is open to anyone who wants to take part, regardless of skill level, and is championed by fly shops, guides, clubs, and conservation groups who use the occasion to host clinics and community events.
When is National Women’s Fly Fishing Day?
National Women’s Fly Fishing Day is observed on 27 June each year. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday, which is ideal for a day on the water. It is a fixed-date observance, so the date does not move from year to year, though some retailers and trade groups also promote a separate “Women’s Fly Fishing Day” tied to a June weekend.
The History of National Women’s Fly Fishing Day
The day is credited to Emerald Water Anglers, a Seattle-based outfitter and guide service, who established the observance in 2020 to spotlight female anglers and encourage more women into the sport. It arrived at a moment when women had become the fastest-growing demographic in fly fishing, and it gave the community a fixed date around which to rally.
Fly fishing itself has a long and quietly distinguished history of women practitioners. The earliest known treatise on the sport in English, the “Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle” published in 1496, is traditionally attributed to Dame Juliana Berners, an English noblewoman. Centuries later, figures such as Mary Orvis Marbury, who in 1892 produced the definitive American reference on fly patterns, and Joan Wulff, a casting champion and instructor, helped shape the sport. National Women’s Fly Fishing Day sits within that lineage, turning a long but often overlooked tradition into a modern, organised celebration.
Since 2020 the day has grown through social media and the support of women’s fishing collectives, with shops and clubs across North America adding clinics, group floats, and fundraisers to their calendars each June.
Fun Facts About National Women’s Fly Fishing Day
- The oldest known essay on fly fishing in English is credited to a woman, Dame Juliana Berners, and dates to 1496.
- Women are widely reported as the fastest-growing group of new participants in fly fishing in recent years.
- Joan Wulff set casting distance records in the 1940s and 1950s, out-casting many of her male peers.
- Mary Orvis Marbury’s 1892 book “Favorite Flies and Their Histories” remains a landmark reference for fly patterns.
- The day was founded by a guiding outfit in the Pacific Northwest, a region famous for its trout and steelhead rivers.
- Fly fishing requires no boat or expensive gear to begin, which makes it one of the more accessible ways into angling.
Why National Women’s Fly Fishing Day Matters
Beyond the fun, the day addresses a real imbalance. Fly fishing has long been seen as a male hobby, which can make rivers feel unwelcoming to newcomers. By creating women-only clinics and visible role models, the day lowers the barrier to entry, builds friendships, and connects more people to rivers worth protecting. If you enjoy days that get people outdoors, you might also like National Fishing Month, which runs through the height of summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Women’s Fly Fishing Day?
It is an annual day celebrating women in fly fishing, honouring experienced anglers and welcoming beginners. Clubs and fly shops often run women-only clinics and group trips to mark it.
When is National Women’s Fly Fishing Day in 2026?
It falls on Saturday, 27 June 2026. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year.
Do I need experience to take part?
Not at all. The whole point of the day is to welcome newcomers. Many shops and clubs offer free or low-cost beginner casting sessions specifically aimed at women trying the sport for the first time.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best riverbank photos on social media with #NationalWomensFlyFishingDay and #WomensFlyFishingDay2026. Tag a friend and challenge her to cast a line for the first time.
Related Awareness Days
- National Fishing Month – A summer-long celebration of angling that encourages newcomers of all kinds to get on the water.
- International Fisherman Day – Honours those who fish for sport and livelihood, falling just two days after the fly fishing celebration.
- World Oceans Day – A reminder of why clean, healthy waters matter for anglers and wildlife alike.
Links
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