Wading Women
Empower yourself by connecting deeper with Nature.
Wading Women invites you to explore with mindfulness whether you are fly fishing, hiking, swimming, paddling…whatever you do, open your mind and heart to connect deeper…with Nature, with yourself. For those wanting coaching or mentoring in fly fishing, we have some great options!
Fly Fishing ‘Classroom’ Instruction: For those new to fly fishing, this 3 to 4 hour class introduces the basics you will need to start your fly fishing adventures. This can be held anywhere…at your group’s gathering, at a picnic table, at a birthday party…the options are endless!! This class can be customized for you and your group.
Below are topics that can be included:
Gear: rod, reel, fly line, leader, tippet, flies, waders, boots, packs
Knots: learn the 3 most important knots—loop-to-loop, triple surgeons, clinch
Entomology: learn the basic insects you’ll encounter here in the Smokies–nymph and winged stages
Fishing Strategies: dry, nymph, streamer
Safety: wading safety and general personal awareness and safety
Casting Basics: basic casts used on creeks and rivers in the Smokies
Reading Water: learn where fish are feeding, holding and how to fish wild trout
Cost: Suggested donation amount between $75 to $125 each. Email for more info…this is a FUN, FUN class where you will learn so much to begin your journey into the beauty of fly fishing…or boost your journey if you have already started your fly fishing path….this is a great refresher for beginners. This is also available to school groups and non-profit organizations at no cost or for those volunteering with non-profits.
On-Water Coaching & Mentoring: Put into practice what you already know. Be mentored, not pampered. You will have guidance from a seasoned fly fisher, but will learn to be independent in your fly fishing. You won’t fish alone….we’ll both fish, taking turns and watching each other. NOTE: This is different than hiring a guide to do everything for you!! Sometimes it’s fun to have a guide do everything for you, but if you’re wanting to be supported while learning to be self-sufficient on the water, this is a great option! (If you want to hire a guide for that experience, I can refer you to some awesome folks!) You will tie on flies, land fish and be independent while mentored.
If you don’t know how to tie the knots or the basics, please schedule the classroom portion of fly fishing training (see above) or search YouTube for videos that will get you started. You can learn a LOT on your own if you do the right searches and practice what you watch.
On-water coaching is during wet wading season (warmer season) unless you have access to waders.
Cost: Suggested donation amount between $125 to $175 for half day. Add $50 to $75 for extra person.
Gear rental: Boots–$10; fly rod & reel & flies–$20. Wading Staff–no charge.
What to Bring: Bring a re-fillable water bottle, snacks, lunch. If you have gear, you can bring that. If not, we can help you with that (see above). A hat and polarized sunglasses are helpful as is rain gear. I suggest a small day pack to hold your water and snacks. Wear pants that are quick-dry and light-weight for wet wading…NO COTTON PANTS!! I recommend long pants due to walking through briars or poison ivy. Wear colors that blend in with Nature…subdued tones. A fishing license is required! You can purchase this online before coming. Visit North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission online or look for the app Go Outdoors North Carolina and download it and do everything from there.
Acknowledgement of Risk Form: Insurance requires all participants to read and sign this form. Please download, print, sign, and bring with you. Click below to access the form. If you don’t have access to a printer, please let me know and I’ll bring a copy for you to sign.
Booking & Payment: A 50% deposit is required at time of booking. Once your date is confirmed, the deposit must be received within 3 business days. Deposits are refundable until 14 days before the experience date. After that, deposits can carry over to another date but are non-refundable. Payment can be made using PayPal (Click here).
Meet Your Coach & Mentor: Simone Lipscomb has been an outdoorswoman her entire life. Through careers of state park naturalist, scuba instructor, nature and underwater photographer, and adventure guide, she’s been leading people in outdoor activities for over forty years.
Her life’s work is to help people deepen their connection with Nature through outdoor experiences, photography, and writing. Her books are written to help kids and adults connect deeper with the outdoors and help heal the Earth and each other.
She combines her skills of fly angler, yoga instructor, counselor, naturalist, photographer, and compassionate lover of life, to create an experience that expands mindfulness and personal empowerment and increases FUN!
Her undergraduate degree is in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management from Auburn University. Her graduate degree is in Counseling from Auburn University at Montgomery. Simone is a graduate of Soul School Yoga of New Orleans.
Below is a free guide on women’s fly fishing…for those just starting out or wanting to explore on their own. Read it here or download it to your device.