When New Wave Fishing Academy was started it was based around the mission of helping everyone become more successful anglers and especially those who do not have the family, friends, or easily accessible opportunities to push them into the sport. From our short time in operation trying to make accomplish this mission there has been a very clear population that has a hard time breaking into the industry. From critics online challenging their skills as anglers to talking down or belittling their accomplishments / questions there are a lot of unnecessary hurdles for women and young girls to get into the sport. While we know that these people setting up these hurdles do not represent the bulk of the members in the industry they unfortunately are often the loudest voice. To combat this we want to highlight some of the best ambassadors for "Women In Angling" that we know and share their stories for those that just need a little push to get into the sport or some role models to look towards!
This weeks feature is Chrissy Clement! We have followed Chrissy on social media for a few years now and it is obvious the love for fishing & the outdoors she has! As avid multi species anglers ourselves her feed is a great source to see quality fish of all shapes and sizes. Fortunately, we were able to get in touch with her and she was kind enough to give us her story.
“I was first introduced to fishing when I was just a little girl. My grandparents lived on the St.
Lawrence River, and my dad and grandfather spent many days fishing in the summertime. I enjoyed watching them and remember being so intrigued by all of it. Memories are strange because I was so young back then that I don’t remember a whole lot, but I do remember some very specific things. I remember watching my dad filleting the fish he caught, being amazed with the minnows inside a bigger fish’s stomach, getting excited seeing the pretty colours on a sunfish, and most importantly, I remember how fishing made people happy. Between childhood and my teenage years, I can’t say I did a whole lot of fishing. Maybe a couple of times on the odd camping trip with my dad, but other than that, fishing was not a major part of my life. Very few things in life stay the same and one day, about 10 years ago, fishing reclaimed a part of my heart and I really started to get into it seriously. Now, I can’t imagine what life was like before I was a hardcore fisherwoman. I mostly fished from shore because I didn’t have a boat, and none of my friends or family did either.
I started learning the basics about lures and techniques, and scoped out some spots where I could fish from the bank. I was hooked. Fishing quickly became something that I wanted to do any chance I got. Although I was nervous at times I fished by myself on many occasions. I impressed myself by learning how to rig bait, remove fish from a hook, and just catch fish in general. Taking a leap of faith into this sport has given me so many positive things; one of those being confidence. I remember trying to convince my girl friends to come out fishing with me and being so excited when they’d say yes. I wanted them to feel the same kind of happiness, peace, relaxation, exhilaration, and sense of accomplishment that I had felt. My passion for fishing grew even deeper when I met my now husband, whose love for fishing and the outdoors was nothing short of inspiring. I’ve learned so many things from him over the years, and I’m very fortunate to have met someone who enjoys spending every free moment in the outdoors like I do. Being a female angler has come with some challenges over the years. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone’s jaw hit the floor when someone who didn’t know me found out I was serious about fishing. I’ve had people tell me they don’t believe that I catch fish, or say that I don’t look like someone who fishes.
I used to be bothered by these comments but not anymore.
My advice for anyone else who experiences the negativity is to let that be your motivation. There’s just something awesome about accomplishing things that others think you aren’t capable of doing. Anyone who is interested in trying fishing out should, well, just give it a shot. I promise it will be worth it! Don’t be afraid to take the plunge, and just start with the basics - a hook, a worm, and a spot on shore where fishing is permitted. But also bring pliers or forceps - that’s a tool that I think everyone should have whether they’re new to fishing or experienced. Fancy equipment and gadgets are definitely not a requirement to enjoy fishing and they’re also not a requirement to be successful. If you have a friend or relative that enjoys fishing, ask them to take you out and show you the ropes. If no one you know is into fishing, don’t be afraid to start the journey of learning through trial and error. I am by no means a professional angler and I am forever learning new things. I love that about fishing as well - there’s always something new to learn. New techniques, new baits, new places. Don’t be afraid to ask people for help and there are many great resources online as well, one of those being New Wave Fishing Academy.
I love fishing and the outdoors more than I can even put into words. Fishing is one of my favourite and most effective ways to cope with stress. It’s something I do when I’m happy and when I’m sad. It’s an excellent way to clear the mind and to slow down in a world where everything is so fast paced. It can be thrilling and get your adrenaline pumping. The excitement is hard to put into words. It's a great way to make memories that will last a lifetime. Simply put, it’s just good for the soul. In all honesty, fishing can change your life. It certainly changed mine!"
We would like to thank Chrissy for sharing her story with us all. Chasing after your passions is usually not the most secure or stable path but as you can see it can be the most rewarding despite its hurdles. You can connect with her on instagram @chrissyspursuit.
If you know somebody who is a great ambassador for Women In Angling (Or the outdoors) that deserves to be recognized and would be willing to create a post please reach out to us on any of our social media platforms so we can get in touch with them.
If you or someone you know is looking to get into fishing or you just want to become a more successful angler be sure to check out our "Zero To Hero Fishing Masterclass" for courses on everything fishing! The masterclass is built to help you learn how to find and catch fish like the pro's by providing all the information you need and a clear development path! Don't miss out check it out now at www.newwavefishingacademy.com/zero-to-hero
Have you ever wondered why lures don't come with instructions and wanted to know how to fish them? Look no further than our "How To Fish" series where you will learn what each bait is, how to use it, when and where it excels over other baits, our preferred setup to use it on, and the common mistakes anglers make when using it. www.newwavefishingacademy.com/how-to-fish