Introduction to fishing
As long as I can remember, I have been fishing. It started with pan fishing with my dad, but I switched gears to walleye fishing in the summer once I got a little older. There are pictures of me at about 5 years old with a bunch of panfish!
Experiences and challanges
I think the coolest thing in the outdoor industry is finding other like-minded people who respect and appreciate the outdoors just as much as I do. I love when I find other women who would rather wake up early to fish than stay out late at the bar. A negative aspect of being a woman in the fishing industry is the assumption that because I am married, my husband just puts me on fish. But rest assured, I pull my own weight. I know how to back in the boat and like to think I can do it better than some! I was fishing long before my husband, Jimmy, came into the picture. He just amplifies my love for it.
Support systems
There is a company called Ladies Midwest Meetup based in Wisconsin that organizes fishing events for women only. I went on a Lake of the Woods ice fishing trip and met some of my best friends there. It’s great because it didn’t matter what knowledge level you had; everyone was more than happy to help each other and just enjoy the great outdoors!
Representation and visibility
I think there could be better representation of women in the outdoor industry, but it is lightyears ahead of what it was when I was growing up. I love that it’s becoming more balanced every day.
It used to be a culture shock to see a woman in the boat fishing or catching fish, but now it’s more common to see female anglers out on the water.
Advice for aspiring female anglers
Surround yourself with people you look up to as role models. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. Don’t be afraid to get involved either! Networking is huge in any industry.
I think as long as women keep pushing to be part of the industry, we will make it. Social media helps a ton to show kids growing up that it’s okay to be a girl and fish. I also don’t want kids’ fishing events to ever go away; it’s important that kids get outside and away from screens.
follow Dori on Instagram: @dorii_sell
