I'm a pint sized passionate female angler. This afternoon I was made to feel uneasy in one of the only places I feel comfortable fishing alone. I always tell someone where I'm going, just in case. This particular place is a side road just outside of town that almost no one fishes. Probably because of the trek to get down to the creek. I've only ever seen one older gentleman fly fishing there and we had a pleasant interaction.

So I'm sitting in my car getting organized when a pickup slowly pulls up alongside me then parks infront of me. This is rather unusual I thought, so I decided to stay in my car and see what unfolds.

He's just sitting in his truck smoking, he has glanced at me a few times. He then proceeds to get out and walk around back of his truck bed. Just standing there smoking. So at this point I decide I'm not going to fish my beloved slice of paradise. I waited a few minutes then started my car, pulled a u-turn to head in the opposite direction. I did not act hastily but I did watch him in my rearview mirror.

He headed back to the driver seat, started his vehicle and proceeded to follow me. Thankfully I know my region well, I drove in the direction where I knew there was a residental area. Pulled into a driveway and hoped he would keep on trucking. He did.

Now this leaves me rather upset and unsure how to feel about going back there alone. It's not easy being female in a predominantly Male driven sport. I've been laughed at, gawked at, hit on and treated like an idiot while fishing my local tributaries. At times it really puts me off of something I love to do.

If you have made it this far thank you for reading. If you have any tips or advice short of finding someone to fish with me, I would love to hear it. I enjoy spending time alone in nature as it's therapeutic to me.

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by strang3trails