Moving the sport forward, more women, more fish, more fun.

Fishing has always been a sport associated with men, however I think now the women are stepping up and getting involved in a big way. Like for example Mariko Izumi, with her own show on WFN of course she comes from a famous fishing family. But hey fishing is about family and friends, so it's no surprise to see her have success fishing. Mariko's influence on women anglers here in Canada is bigger than I think a lot of people realize. She has made fishing cool for women to do. Something I heard from the very girls we had attend our fishing program at last year's Junior Forest Warden National Camp out. She is a shining example of a woman opening the doors of fishing to other women anglers. If you want to catch Mariko's show demand and get the WFN. Something we want to see more of, more women getting involved in the amazing sport of fishing. I am lucky to have my wife Laura who loves the sport of fishing as much as I do. Laura Love #7 Team Jackfish Lures with the Kick'n Bass at the Athabasca Outdoor Show May 2012. Laura Love #7 Team Jackfish Lures, with her 2012 MLWT championship winning fish. As captain of our Field Team here at Jackfish Lures, I am so very proud of each team member we have. And proud of the fact that we have made it easy for female anglers to participate on our team with the men. It's worked out so very well and another fact our women members are good, No they are great anglers, and compete with the best of us every year. Since day one and 17 MLWT openers 9 of them won by our amazing women team members. In fact the last three have been dominated by the lady's, Sherry Lynne two years ago and Laura Love last year and now this year again. Sherry L #13 Team Jackfish Lures is a two time MLWT champion she won in 2005 & 2010. For 17 seasons I have been fishing with the Jackfish Lures Field Team, and every season we open up with our MLWT fishing tournament. Team members from all over Canada and the U.S.A compete in this tournament. Now I have to say that this tournament is one that can change on a dime because big fish wins. If no big fish is qualified then the angler with the most fish wins, and I have found every way to lose this tournament over the years. I am sitting here working on this post laughing because once again I lost. But I am so proud of this years winner and again won with a big fish that knocked mine out of the water. Just when you think you have a chance, it's over and over this year in classic fashion. Belinda R #20 Team Jackfish Lures with her 2003 MLWT come back winning pike. Every season we make an effort to share this great sport with others, and at events like the Junior Forest Wardens, I see the girls look up to Laura. She seems to inspire a confidence of hey I can do that too in the kids. The way Laura and Sherry step up and help others learn and enjoy the outdoors is amazing. This is a quality every single women member of Team Jackfish Lures has, they have a real effect on other women anglers around them. And I as a man, am so very proud of them and inspired to see these wonderful lady's open up the doors of fishing to other women. So this summer take a minute if you get a chance, and share our sport of fishing with someone. You never know you might just make a new fishing friend for life. You might open a door to a sport that can change the life of someone in a most positive way. As WFN Ambassadors, as fishermen and women, lets move the sport forward. Let's get more women involved and we will see more and more generations of families coming to care for nature and the sport we love so dear.