| FisherGirl Wins American Sportfishing Associations Prestigious New Product Showcase Award
for Mermaid as Best in Category Rod/Reel Combo - July 22, 2005
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FisherGirl Editorial in Toronto Star - March 18, 2005 
Editorial:
Fishing for women
Sport fishing was once considered a male
preserve, a getaway allowing guys to bond over the shared challenge of putting a fish on the end of a line. That's changing.
Female anglers are taking to Ontario's
streams and lakes in large numbers. A survey of recreational fishing has found about 22 per cent of Ontario's 815,000 anglers
are women.
There is certainly room for more, especially
on the often-lucrative tournament circuit, where female anglers remain under-represented.
Terri MacKinnon is working to change that
and put more females, of all ages, on the quest for fish. She heads a new company, called FisherGirl Inc., providing fishing
gear specifically for women and girls, ranging from pink "Minnow" rods for toddlers, to fly fishing rods for adults.
MacKinnon says more women may enter the
sport given an alternative to existing equipment designed for men. In addition, 10 per cent of her sales goes to breast cancer
research.
Recreational fishing is a way for generations
to bond, teaches patience, and can draw youngsters into the great outdoors, away from their video games and TV sets. Women
and girls should be encouraged to share more deeply in that tradition.
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FisherGirl radio interview on CBC Radio One in Thunder Bay - March 2005 
March 2, 2005 - Terri MacKinnon, was interviewed by Gord Ellis of CBC
Radio One in Thunder Bay.
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FisherGirl radio interview on CFRB - February
2005 
Feburary 11, 2005 - Terri MacKinnon president of FisherGirl Inc.
was interviewed by Ted Woloshyn on the Ted Woloshyn Morning Show, CFRB AM 1010.
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FisherGirl at the Toronto Sportsmen Show (March 2005) & Toronto Spring Fishing Show (February
2005)
Some of our favourite pictures from the show.
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3 Little FisherGirls with Foxy Rod |
You go, FisherBoys! |
Jackie Beaver ,Winner of the Breast Cancer Survival Rod & Kit
at the 2005 Toronto Spring Fishing Show |
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A baby FisherGirl with Tadpole rod. |
A new FisherGirl with her Mermaid rod. |
Another new FisherGirl with her Foxy rod. |
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FisherGirl staff ... all smiles & rods! |
Another new FisherGirl with her Mermaid rod. |
Another new FisherGirl with her Foxy rod. |
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FisherGirl
in the Halton News - Feb 1, 2005
Fishing fanatic hoping new line catches on. by: Steve LeBlanc
Terri MacKinnon has hooked on
to her fair share of fish, and is now hoping to reel in a share of the fishing industry's business as well. Her bid to do so officially begins later this month at the Toronto Fishing Show, where she'll launch FisherGirl
-- a line of gear designed specifically for female anglers, something the market's been more or less lacking until now.
"The launch will be fairly small-scale, with among 300 units
of rods," explained the 47-year-old Miltonian. "But there's plans for everything from poles and lures to fishing clothing
and outdoor cosmetics. We're even hoping to have a tournament called Cast for the Cure eventually. Some venture capitalists
have said this could be a $100-million business within three years. "About 23 per cent
of anglers in North America are women and it's an eight-and-a-half billion dollar industry, so there's certainly potential
to make a difference."
To hear the local entrepreneur talk about fishing, one might
think she was born with a rod in her hand. But truth be told, she was only introduced to the sport six years ago by boyfriend-turned-husband
Andre MacKinnon. And at first, the idea didn't exactly catch on. "He
said, 'I'm going to teach you to fish so you can feed your family'. I said no thanks, I just go to the grocery store," she
quipped. But an ice fishing trip to Bon Echo Provincial Park, near Belleville, just a month later
got her -- well, completely hooked. Recalled Ms MacKinnon, "It was so much fun. I thought we'd
be freezing, but it's quite cozy in the hut and you can actually see the fish through the hole, which is pretty entertaining."
While an instant fishing lover -- or fishergirl, as would-be hubby dubbed her -- she found the sport's
equipment and clothing a little on the masculine side. All black or green rods weren't exactly to her liking, while most poles
were just a little too heavy.
Not long afterwards a light bulb went off -- ironically enough,
at a time when she had a lot more on her mind than fishing. With her emotions all over the
map in 2003 -- with her sister's mastectomy, father's battle with prostate cancer and the birth of her granddaughter -- Ms
MacKinnon tuned into an episode of Oprah Winfrey that would spark an idea that was part plan, part purpose and all unique.
"She (Oprah) said if you can find something you're passionate
about and that you can make a difference at you'll never go wrong," explained Ms MacKinnon. "I looked out the window at my
friend out in a paddle boat and thought this (designing women's fishing gear) is what I want to do. I asked my friend, 'If
I could make you a pink fishing rod would so want one?' She said, 'How many can you make me, because I'll need one for everybody
in my family'." Seeking guidance from a host of industry experts -- including U.S.
bass fishing champion Kathy Magers -- Ms MacKinnon quickly established FisherGirl and has been pouring herself into every
phase of production and marketing ever since. "It's absolutely incredible just how much she's taken to this. I mean the first
time we went ice fishing she wore little boots and a mini skirt," joked Mr. MacKinnon. "I can seen great success in this (new
line of gear). There's certainly the market for it."
Getting FisherGirl off the ground has meant an awful lot of work --
much more so than during her years in the travel agency racket. But it's been a definite labour of love, and not just because
she adores fishing. "Ten per cent of all sales are going to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, in honour of my sister,"
said Ms MacKinnon. "I want to do my part in wiping out this horrible disease that's claiming so many young women. I want to
make sure my daughters and granddaughter are around. "I want to give something back. I'm a firm believer in 'paying it forward'.
But this really isn't about me. I'm just the vehicle for all this."
FisherGirl products can be seen at the Toronto Fishing Show from February
17 to 20 at the International Centre, or by visiting FisherGirl.com.
Steve LeBlanc can be reached at sleblanc@haltonsearch.com.
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FisherGirl on location ...
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure 2004
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(Oct/04) Thank you to all of you who made pledges for the Sunday
October 3rd run. It was a great success!
Thanks from all of us!
Team FisherGirl |
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Less than 1 year from conception ...
(Sept/04) We're very proud that within less than 1 year
from the birth of our FisherGirl idea, we are now well on our way to making a difference.
With pre-order sales of our Limited Edition Survival Rod & Kit,
we're pleased to open our e-store for business. Watch for news on our official launch in February, where we'll be unveiling a
number of new product lines made specifically for women. Until then it's one rod at a time.
Thank you from all of us at FisherGirl. Together we can make a difference.
