Cape Breton guide breaking barriers for women learning to fish

Gioia Stanley has always loved fishing. She and her dad were out on the water starting when she was young.

A few years ago, the Baddeck, N.S., woman decided to try her hand at fly-fishing.

Then the messages started. 

"Women were approaching me to [teach] them how to get into the sport," said Stanley.

"It can be intimidating. I think being a woman helps break down that barrier of someone who's new and not sure how to enter an industry such as fishing, where it can be typically very male-dominated."

That led Stanley to become one of Nova Scotia's few female fishing guides. Over the past two years, most of her clients have been women. Last weekend, she launched her first all-women fly-fishing retreat on the iconic Margaree River in Cape Breton. 

"What has helped me is representation," said Nancy Duguay, a participant in the retreat from Elmsdale, N.S.

Like many of the women at the retreat, Duguay is an avid fisher but felt intimidated by the fly-fishing.

The sport requires more know-how when it comes to casting. It also relies on community knowledge. Some rivers and salmon pools have specific etiquette regarding how close to other fishers you should be and how to wait your turn in a pool.

"What I try to do with all the clients is to show them what gear they would need if they wanted to fish on their own, where they can go fishing on their own," said Stanley.

Duguay said following women in the sport on social media and going to these types of retreats is a big help when it comes to breaking down some of these barriers.

"If I reach out to ask a question, they actually respond and don't give you just like a brush off."

For some of the women at the retreat, it was the camaraderie that has been missing for them. Caitlyn Dempsey wanted to learn how to fly-fish and meet people while doing it.

"I'm from Halifax, so I have a lot of friends in the city. None of them are even remotely into anything to do with the outdoors," laughed Dempsey.

"I figured this is the chance to get up here and meet some women … so when I get home, I have some fishing buddies and get some practice.

Stanley said that was the ultimate goal of her retreat.

"It's nice to see how fast everyone caught on too so I think the passion is there and that helps them learn."

For those still nervous about trying their hand at casting a fly rod, Stanley's advice is to talk to as many people as you can.

"The more that you ask questions to people you meet on the river, the better off you are, I found that getting over that hump is what helped me let go of any expectations and what people think," said Stanley.

"Everyone is here to have fun and to enjoy the same river."