Quebec seeks to reel in more female anglers with new website

In what it is perhaps indicative of the male-dominated nature of the sport, the Canadian Oxford Dictionary lists no feminine equivalent to fisherman. 

But Saumon Québec, the provincial salmon fishing association, is trying to change that perception by encouraging more women to take up the rod. 

A new website, RoseSaumon.com, aims to demystify fishing for women. Saumon Québec says it wants to see more women casting lures and reeling in new experiences.

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"More and more women are fishing to live a unique experience that other sports can't match," said Florent Garnerot, the director general of Saumon Québec. "They want adventure in the great outdoors, which will make them feel connected to nature." 

The organization highlights that salmon fishing is an economical outdoor activity since licences are less than $50 and equipment can be rented.

Newbie angler Nathalie Beaulieu went fishing in Rimouski for the first time last year. She said fishing hadn't interested her in the past but its benefits soon won her over.

"I was surprised to find myself in contact with nature — it was meditative but I felt focused. My focus was about more than catching a fish. It was to live an experience, an emotion," Beaulieu told Radio-Canada.

Women on RoseSaumon.com have begun sharing their stories of fishing.

One woman named Magali is quoted as saying salmon fishing is a perfect way to decompress.

"The scenery is so relaxing and pleasant that we don't even really have a choice but to be calm," Magali said.