It’s no longer a mans world!

Someone once asked me why the hell do I spend so much time in the macho bullshit world of fishing? The person that asked me this question is now my ex-wife. It is so sad to say that she didn’t comprehend my life long love of fishing. I guess she saw it as day off with the boys in an exclusive macho club. In fact the reason I love fishing so much is not about killing big fish but the spellbinding attraction of Mother Nature.

Anglika with a fine quality meal!

Merete with one of the many farmed rainbow that escape each year in Western Norway.

Grethe with one of the many fish she caught while in the land of Oz

One of the staff members showing the boys how it is done!

While I’m out on my adventures I have the fortune of encountering all of natures glory. For example my resent trip to Australia gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the strangest animals that walk the earth. It was fishing that was my ticket to this show. With out fishing I don’t know if I would ever had that opportunity. It could be said that other hobbies can offer the same experiences and yes that is true. Experience has taught me that wild life depends on water. It is while standing beside a lake or on the rocks of the coast that nature comes to me.

These are but a few reasons why I love to fish. Why not take your wife, daughter, girlfriend or even your mistress (if you must). Here are a few words from women that fish for a variety of dissimilar reasons maybe we men will learn something for a change.

Anglika Haugland

Anglik told me that she finds excitement in the chances of catching big fish. As you can see by the photograph she is no dummy when it comes to salmon fishing. What I can tell you her fish was taken on her forth every attempt. I think they call it lady luck. She also went on to explain that her love of eating fish. this means cooking freshly caught fish is one of the many rewards Anglika receives. Anglika is one of the many women that has a partner that is a fisherman. So it is natural that she has found her way into the world of fishing.


MERETE MILES

Merete grew up in a fishing family both her brothers and her father sparked her interest in fishing. As with many young girls shopping parties and boys took a higher priority. This all changed when she met her husband. Paul is a mad keen fishermen and Merete now is a regular companion to Paul’s adventures. She latter told me the she both enjoys the act of catching big fish and the natural aspects of our landscape here in Norway.

GRETHE ANSOK

Grethe has the honour of living with a fishing journalist (me). She is an absolute beginner and in the last two years she has travelled the globe in my mad footsteps. She has often told me that the fishing itself is but a small aspect. As with me it’s the details that you will find while out in the field. Glowing sunsets, fields of wild flowers dancing in the wind, Salmon leaping waterfall to find their birth places and of course actually having the chance to spend a seldom rare moment with me. The other thing she loves with the sport is the technical side. The constant need to improve both casting technique and knowledge of the species that live in the seas.

Lena Austgulen

My father was a ”natures man” and I had the opportunity to tag along with him as a child. The greatest reward is the chance to eat a fish that has come direct from a lake to the fire. This aspect combined with the chance of seeing moose or one of the many wild birds is an important factor. Lena told me that she is not so fussed about what she uses to catch her fish but the excitement is in the hook up. She interested in many forms of fishing both in the salt water and the many fresh water lakes here in Norway. Basically she believes there is nothing better than fresh fish on the barbeque! Bon appetite!!!!


All of these ladies have different reasons why they fish. I was not so surprised to hear these women enjoy fishing and I’m certain if we took the time to ask our female partners or friends if they wished to join us on our next trip. You never know they may actually enjoy it!!!

SKOT