Articles By Terri

March 26, 2007

Womenfishing.com Expanding
posted March 26, 2007

Milton, Ontario based www.Womenfishing.com had over 100,000 visitors since January.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service there are 34.1 million anglers in America and approximately 26 percent are women. Additionally, of the 28.4 million freshwater anglers in America, 26 percent are women. The numbers of women anglers continue to rise as witnessed by the increasing presence of women in tournaments.

"Anybody can fish. Fish don't discriminate as to who catches them, be it male or female, young or old. People today are searching for something that is different from the ordinary, they are looking for new experiences and this is found through fishing," says www.womenfishing.com founder and avid angler, Terri MacKinnon.

"We want to share our passion for fishing and the outdoors with other women and introduce them and their families to a healthy lifestyle." Says Ms. MacKinnon.

Terri MacKinnon started 5 years ago with a vision and founded Fishergirl acknowledging that there was a need for women to be recognized. She then went on to participate in the Women's Bassmasters Tour and realized that there was a bigger piece of the puzzle still missing. www.womenfishing.com became a reality. 'I realized that it was difficult to find out what was really out there for women. I started to put information together and realized it needed to be shared, then it just took on a life of its own.' says Terri Mackinnon founder.

The site is dedicated to fishing and the outdoors. We are not species oriented. Our goal is to be the portal to where, what and who is out there. We are a place to share our experiences and laugh about them. Our mission is to educate and inspire others to take a chance and try something new, to think not just outside of the box, but to actually go outside of the box. To explore, to discover to enjoy!

Women are out there, study's show that they are fishing. Industry experts surmise that while fishing overall appeared to be in a slow decline as the core fisher people, namely men, aged and leave the sport. It's now the women who are picking up the slack in fishing participation. The 2001 National U.S. Fishing Survey determined that of the 10 most popular women's sports & recreational activities, fishing shows the strongest growth with 10.8% increase in participation. We can only anticipate that these numbers will continually to be increasing as we see the interest and sport expanding by organization like the B.A.S.S/ESPN Women's Tour finally taking notice.

www.womensfishing.com is also not about being North American, country's from all over the world have women that love to fish. England and Australia already show remarkable interest from women that are out participating.

Womensfishing.com is Global, and its growth will be targeted to women that love the outdoors everywhere. The online site is growing and expanding rapidly, with Radio and video streams to be added shortly. Applications for advertising and sponsorship are now being taken. Mackinnon adds 'It is extremely important that we be selective, we have chosen a different approach to our advertising. Its about what's good for women that will be considered.' Women are the budgeters and decision makers for most purchases, we want them to know that we recommend and stand behind the company's that we feature.'

KIDS AND PARENTS REAP REWARDS OF FISHING TOGETHER

By Terri MacKinnon, avid angler and founder, FisherGirl Inc.

Teaching kids fishing skills used to be the responsibility of fathers. Recently this tradition has changed as more women fall in love with the benefits of family fishing. Many women are re-living their fun childhood memories of fishing, while at the same time sharing the experience and building relationships with their children.

Stress relief is one of the key benefits of fishing - it is food for the soul because you connect with nature and take a break from a rushed, technology-oriented life.

Recent University of Guelph studies reveal that children who spend time in natural enng counterparts. The outdoor setting also awakens their senses – the sound of water lapping against the shore, the smell of dew-covered pine or the sight of small wild animals. Away from daily distractions, kids become a captive audience. This is the perfect time to begin discussions about school issues or friends, or family problems. It’s also a great time to share with them, your own childhood fishing memories. As fishing necessitates a quiet environment, often even the most active of children are spell bound into silent stillness for several hours.

Moms who teach their kids to fish not only get a break from daily routines, but also gain a sense of accomplishment. They become strong role models for their kids, especially girls who learn that females can do activities, such as fishing, that are traditionally men’s hobbies.

Apart from learning fishing techniques, kids master the art of silence and patience as fish will not bite if there is much noise. Kids with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) benefit greatly from fishing – as they usually have problems keeping still, fishing allows them to move around the pond or lake without reprimand. The repetitive action of casting and retrieving captivates and makes the experience enjoyable.
The best places to teach a child to fish are stocked fishing ponds because they make catching fish much easier. There are numerous stocked trout ponds in and around Edmonton such as the Hermitage Park pond.

At times a fish is never caught, so kids need to know that the goal is to get outdoors and enjoy doing something different from their ordinary lives.

Here are some fishing tips:

• Kids under the age of 16 can fish without a license. Adults need to purchase a temporary fishing license at tackle shops or at a local Ministry of Natural Resources office.
• Children’s fishing rods are necessary as they are lighter than adult fishing rods and have hand grips for smaller hands.
• Plastic lures catch fish easily and reduce the “ick” and “ouch” factors of using live bait.
• Bring along hats, sunscreen, bug repellent, snacks and beverages, and extra clothing for layering.
Ultimately, fishing creates great memories for the whole family. The experience of catching their first fish stays with kids for their lifetime. So don’t forget to bring a camera along to record this moment!

About FisherGirl Inc.
FisherGirl Inc. (FisherGirl) is a Canadian-based, privately owned company that develops and markets its own proprietary line of outdoor and lifestyle products for women and girls. FisherGirl’s initial product line up focuses on fishing rods, accessories and outdoor wear geared to the millions of female anglers throughout North America. The company is committed to promoting fishing as a healthy lifestyle for women and their families. For additional information, visit www.fishergirl.com.

Moms Escape - Gone Fishin' for Mother's Day

"Super Moms" enjoy body, mind and soul benefits of fishing

TORONTO, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- This Mother's Day women who play the role of "Super Mom" 365 days out of the year deserve a day off. Men have long used fishing, either alone or with the guys, as a means of escape and therapy, putting aside every day issues. So why shouldn't moms also enjoy the healthy benefits of fishing, especially on their special day, since fish don't discriminate as to who catches them?

"Fishing is the antidote to the 21st century's rushed lifestyle and a cure for the pressures of work, hectic home life and fast-paced living," says FisherGirl Inc. ( http://www.fishergirl.com/ ) founder and avid angler, Terri MacKinnon. "Fishing is fun and productive at any competency level, and you don't need expensive equipment or a boat."

Over the past few years, there has been an increased interest from women in fishing. According to the 2000 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, of the 2.7 million active adult anglers in Canada, 25 per cent are women. The numbers of women anglers continue to rise as witnessed by the increasing presence of women in tournaments as well as outdoor nature retreats.

Catching the passion for fishing on Mother's Day is easy, as it offers many benefits.

"Fishing is food for the soul because you are in a soothing environment and connecting with nature," says MacKinnon. "While it can be a quiet solitary activity, it can also be a shared experience with other women. Fishing groups for women are growing, as they offer companionship and a support group, especially for single moms or widows. It also helps develop patience and fine motor skills - women tend to pick up fishing techniques quickly, as they naturally possess patience and fine motor skills - two of the qualities important in fishing."

Learning how to fish like the pros is easier than one may think. Terri MacKinnon shares some of her tips for female beginners:

- Do your research on fishing before you head out - read how-to books, search the Internet for tips and ask tackle shop salespeople how to tie simple lure knots. - Locate small stocked fishing ponds in your area - they make catching your first fish much easier and fun! Gradually move into fishing along lake shores and creeks. - Casting is much easier to learn than fly fishing. - Wear comfortable clothing for easy mobility. Layer your clothing if you go fishing in the early morning as over a couple hours it may get warmer. - Vests with a number of pockets are excellent for storing scissors, lures, snacks and bug repellent. - Bring a hat, sunscreen, food and beverages and hand towelletes with you, as fishing can last for a couple hours. - When catching and releasing fish, soft rubber gloves should be worn so as to not damage the mucous coating on the fish's skin. Make sure the gloves are wet when handling fish. - Plastic lures are easier to fish with and remove the "ick" and "ouch" factor of handling live bait. - Make sure your fishing rod is made for your body's functional needs - it has to be lighter than a man's fishing rod and with a smaller handle for a better hand grip so that you don't tire so quickly.

FisherGirl created the Pink Fishing Rod and its line of fishing equipment, apparel and accessories so that women can enjoy fishing in comfort and with success. These products are made for females of all ages, from children to adults, to provide the opportunity to enjoy fishing at any age. Products include, the Minnow fishing rod (ages 2 to 6), Tadpole fishing rod (ages 6 to 12), the Foxy fishing rod (ages 13 to 19), the Mermaid fishing rod (ages 19 and up), the Pearl Fly fishing rod and the Limited Edition Breast Cancer Survival Rod.

For every sale of a FisherGirl product, 10 per cent goes towards supporting the Breast Cancer Society of Canada ( http://www.bcsc.ca/ ). FisherGirl products are available online as well as select retailers across Canada. For more information visit http://www.fishergirl.com/ .

About FisherGirl Inc.

FisherGirl Inc. (FisherGirl) is a Canadian-based, privately owned company that develops and markets its own proprietary line of outdoor and lifestyle products for women and girls. FisherGirl's initial product line up focuses on fishing rods, accessories and outdoor wear geared to the millions of female anglers throughout North America. The company is committed to promoting fishing as a healthy lifestyle for women and their families.

Copyright 2005 PRNewswire
Issued: 05/02/2005 04:20 PM GMT