So the wife wants to fish...

[StormTrout]

Actually I'm pretty excited that my wife wants to fish with me. She's come out with me a few times before but she's always had to use "hand me down" gear. She's shown a renewed interest and this time around I want to give her as perfect an experience as possible. I let her pick out her own gear (with my gentle guidance) and one of the last pieces of the puzzle is her vest.

She likes the fishpond women's vests or maybe even a waist/chest pack. I've never used anything but a tac vest so I have no idea about these. Any advice or insight from lady fishers or guys that fish with women would be much appreciated. We'll be doing typical river fishing and probably not a lot of hiking to begin with. I'm really looking forward to planning getaways that I might not have before. Anything else I should take into consideration?

 

[Trout Fever]

yea quiet time for your self.... its gone......


as for the vest what ever she fells comfortable in couple pocket in the front and couple in the back your good to go once she gets the hang of things she'll figure out what she wants

 

[Burtbords149]

You can go wrong with a quality vest, there are tons on the market....personally I'm a chest pack guy and I enjoy going out there with only two fly boxes. I'm not sure how chest packs work out with the female upper body "shape" though. If that's not an issue then I would get one...and stress that you don't need a ton of flies to catch fish...I carry one box with nymphs and streamers and one with dries...and change out flies from a big box in my car when needed...you don't want her to lug around a big cumbersome vest, especially in the warmer months.

Allen fly fishing makes a good, chestpack/backpack combo that can be worn as just the chestpack (most of the time) or combined with the backpack for long hikes or when rain is possible, etc....

Whatever you do just have fun and enjoy the new found freedom of fishing whenever you want and not catching as much crap for it...good luck.

 

[StormTrout]

Good to know about the chest packs. I wish she could try some of the stuff out, but for where we are it's mostly mail order :/
My wife comes from a fishing family and always lets me out whenever I "need" to go fishing.

Funny thing, I once broke off an engagement with a girl in Ohio because she didn't let me come back to NY to go fishing. Whenever I tell people about it they always ask about my wife now and I tell them, "Well, you know. She's heard the story"

 

[Burtbords149]

lucky you man that's awesome....have fun with it and hope that she starts outfishing you soon...that'll be the real sign that you're a good teacher. good luck.

 

[Eagle Claw]

A friend of mine decided his wife needed to learn to fly fish, big mistake. All he heard all day was its too cold, too hot, what time are we going to eat, the mosquitos are all over me, I have to go to the bathroom, my feet are cold and the best of all, I have a fly stuck in my finger and need to get to a doctor.

 

[Trouser Trout]

Actually I'm pretty excited that my wife wants to fish with me. She's come out with me a few times before but she's always had to use "hand me down" gear. She's shown a renewed interest and this time around I want to give her as perfect an experience as possible. I let her pick out her own gear (with my gentle guidance) and one of the last pieces of the puzzle is her vest.

She likes the fishpond women's vests or maybe even a waist/chest pack. I've never used anything but a tac vest so I have no idea about these. Any advice or insight from lady fishers or guys that fish with women would be much appreciated. We'll be doing typical river fishing and probably not a lot of hiking to begin with. I'm really looking forward to planning getaways that I might not have before. Anything else I should take into consideration?

You've got it pretty much covered, I think the only thing you missed is, how many hours after you get back home will it be that she allows you to have your testicles back, or at this point are they gone for good?

 

[G Lech]

Good Luck! the g/f wants to start this year. At first I tried to down talk it but when I came home and saw her watching the outdoor channel I knew I was effed. We shall see how this works out. If you see a short blonde telling a guy with a winston or scott hat on to go away don't think anything of it. keep walking its just me showing her how to cast. LOL In all seriousness I'm looking forward to the time we will be spending together.

 

[JeffK]

I don't know your wife, but one of my basic suggestions is to wait for nice weather and restrict your fishing to times when the fish will be rising or active. It may seem silly to us crusty old fishermen, but most people don't real like to stand in cold water from sunup to dark in any kind of weather to manage a fish or two. Go when they are biting, go in nice weather and the times in between have lunch, go shopping, take a walk etc. Same with kids. Same with guys who aren't very outdoorsy. Take it easy, because it is likely your wife while enjoying fishing, doesn't have the same tolerance for it you do.

In general I think gear has little bearing on getting women fly fishing - as long as the tackle is decent and doesn't become a hassle to deal with. The one exception is clothing. Make absolutely sure she is wearing the appropriate clothing to stay warm and dry!!!! (or cool and not sunburned depending on the time and place) Being comfortable is a huge part of enjoying fly fishing - much more than the rod or the fly storage system IMHO.

 

[StormTrout]

hahah =P I think of it as a way to insure my gear gets taken care of properly should anything unexpected ever happen to me.

 

[AKSkim]

Actually I'm pretty excited that my wife wants to fish with me.

The man was asking about equipment for his wife, not if he should get her involved in fishing with him.

Joan Wulff fly fishers is a group you may wish for you and your wife to contact.

NEFF's own KELLY B is the Vice President of that organization, you might consider sending her a PM.

Knowing Kelly, she will go way out of her way to provide you any assistance you and your wife may need to get started.

 

[StormTrout]

Good advice, I've always put her on fish and kept it easy. I try not to treat her like a child but she was never really sold on fly fishing. I think now the timing and feel of it is right and I just want her to get the best experience possible. Maybe having her make an emotional investment in her stuff will give her the same warm and fuzzies that I get with mine and be the deciding factor on whether this time sticks or not. I'm glad I didn't surprise her with an outfit like I was going to because most of the stuff I picked out, she thought was boring :/ She did her homework and I have to admit her picks are pretty cool but maybe not what I would have gotten.

Her reel:

 

[G Lech]

hahah =p i think of it as a way to insure my gear gets taken care of properly should anything unexpected ever happen to me.

good insurance policy!! Lol

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

good advice, i've always put her on fish and kept it easy. I try not to treat her like a child but she was never really sold on fly fishing. I think now the timing and feel of it is right and i just want her to get the best experience possible. Maybe having her make an emotional investment in her stuff will give her the same warm and fuzzies that i get with mine and be the deciding factor on whether this time sticks or not. I'm glad i didn't surprise her with an outfit like i was going to because most of the stuff i picked out, she thought was boring :/ she did her homework and i have to admit her picks are pretty cool but maybe not what i would have gotten.

Her reel:
View attachment 5136

it pains me to say this but....
Women know best

 

[StormTrout]

hahah yeah, looking at that pic it just occurred to me maybe she wants the fishpond vest cuz it matches? BUT SHE WOULDN'T ADMIT TO THAT hahahaah I didn't even notice and was just wondering about the comfort factor. I'll just tell her when she gets home that if that's what she really wants she should get it.

 

[G Lech]

hahah yeah, looking at that pic it just occurred to me maybe she wants the fishpond vest cuz it matches? But she wouldn't admit to that hahahaah i didn't even notice and was just wondering about the comfort factor. I'll just tell her when she gets home that if that's what she really wants she should get it.
View attachment 5137

b.s matching with them is key not to mention it makes them look cute