WELCOME to the Golden West Women Flyfishers, the most exciting fly fishing club in San Francisco!
The centerpiece of our club is our 501 c3, not-for-profit foundation benefitting women in fisheries studies and kids programs.
Not being the all-business-and-no-play types, we take great pride in our frequent social gatherings and spectacular fishing outings. We started out in 1983 when two friends who enjoy fly fishing got together and decided to start a club. In the intervening years, the club has grown both in members and purpose. We currently have a membership of over 115 women.
Our foundation monitors the Jo Clark Youth Fund and a Graduate Student Scholarship program. To date, the scholarship fund has granted nearly $40,000 in scholarships to women in fisheries studies. The Jo Clark Youth Fund, which we recently established, grants scholarships to kids 10-15 years old to attend a week at FishCamp.
In addition to our foundation activities, we are deeply involved in conservation issues. Our activities range from political involvement on a state and federal level to on-the-stream participation to financial support of other organizations. We are especially proud of the fact that our Conservation Chair Cindy Charles was awarded the 2007 NCCFFF Conservation Award...the first woman so honored.
In keeping with our conservation ethic, we strongly believe in, practice and encourage catch and release. The fishing outings are what really glue us together as a club. Our activities include a Beginners Basic instruction day, all-level fly casting lessons, and multi-day trips to fabled waters here in Northern California, Nevada and Southern Oregon. Beyond our home waters, we range the entire American west and, indeed, the world. Each outing (often as many as 15 a year) is arranged and monitored by a "fishmistress" wanting to share her favorite places to fish with her friends. Significant others are welcome to join the outings as room allows.
Toasting the hostess at a fly-tying party
Tying one on..a fly, that is...
With the exception of July and August, we meet in the evening on the second Tuesday of every month at our founder Fanny Krieger's home in San Francisco. A typical meeting starts with a dinner arranged by our hospitality committee and moves on to a guest speaker. The speaker is either a well known personality in the fly fishing world or an advocate for stream and fisheries preservation. The ambiance is casual. Members typically use the meeting time to exchange fishing stories, set up smaller side trips and share fishing tips with each other. A short business meeting ends the evening.
So, whether you are a woman who wants to learn how to fly fish or a practiced flyfisherwoman who'd like to share your passion with others of like mind, I invite you to join us.
Happy Fishing!
Anne Vitale
President, GWWF
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