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Fishing News Headlines
5/10/2026
Mothers' Help Bring Fishing to New Generation of Anglers - ASA's Future Fisherman Foundation offers the tools
(Alexandria, VA) - A message to mothers and daughters out there - fishing
isn't just for the guys anymore. In increasing numbers, mothers are
realizing that fishing is great fun not only for themselves, but for the
family as well. In celebration of Mother's Day, the Future Fisherman
Foundation would like to recognize those moms that are raising the new
generation of anglers.
Statistics show that only about a third of all anglers are women. However,
the perception that fishing is a male-dominated sport appears to be
changing. Roughly 13 million women now fish, a five percent increase from
1998 to 1999 according to the National Sporting Goods Association.
"Fishing is the least discriminating sport in the world," says Kathy Magers,
a 20-year professional angler. "No one is prevented from doing it. Most of
all, we can still be 'ladies' and enjoy this sport."
While Magers credits her grandfather for teaching her the fishing basics, it
was Magers' mother that fostered her interest and kept her committed to the
sport. "Fishing was always the time that mom and I spent alone together,
uninterrupted by the daily demands of life - no ringing phone, barking dogs,
or meals to cook," explained Magers.
What has kept Magers involved with fishing is at the core of what has made
fishing among the most popular outdoor sports for decades. The benefits of
fishing are found not just in the thrill of the catch (and more often than
not, the release), but also in the time spent together on the water with
friends and family.
As the demands of daily life increase, many families find it difficult to
keep in touch. The problem is exacerbated by an increasing number of
working parents or single-parent households. For the exhausted,
over-burdened family, the easiest recreational "activities" are often going
to the movies or plopping down in front of the TV. Unfortunately, these
sources are not often the most appropriate influences for young people.
Heather Hoyer sees fishing as a way to help bring families together while
teaching valuable life lessons to her kids. Hoyer is a 7th grade science
teacher at Paris Gibson Middle School in Great Falls, Montana and a mother
of two young girls. "Fishing gives us a base, a shared experience. Talking
about the importance of respecting nature and each other just comes
naturally when we're out there by the water."
Hoyer believes so strongly in the power of fishing that she sponsors a
fishing club in her school that utilizes the Hooked on Fishing - Not of
Drugs curriculum. The award-winning curriculum is developed and
administered by the non-profit Future Fisherman Foundation, the recruitment
and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association. The program
provides all the basics of how and where to go fishing. In addition, while
they're having fun and developing a lifelong activity, kids going through
the program learn self-confidence and the importance of treating the
environment, other people, and themselves with respect.
Hoyer's father, a teacher and Hooked on Fishing instructor in the small town
of Trego, Montana, alerted her to the program two years ago. "Fishing has
just always been a part of my family and teaching philosophy. It just
seemed logical to utilize the Hooked on Fishing curriculum with my
students."
This year, Hoyer signed up twenty-four students for the fishing club, seven
of which are girls. "All seven girls are new to the club this year. I
think we're really getting to the younger girls and catching them before
they get conditioned to think fishing is somehow icky."
Hoyer has never thought fishing was anything but fun. Maybe that's because
her grandmother taught her that fishing was for everyone, especially little
girls. With the help of the Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs program, Hoyer
is making sure that today's kids have the opportunity and the encouragement
to become the next generation of anglers.
Hoyer practices what she preaches. This mother's day, Heather, her two
little girls, and her mother-in law will stroll down to the trout creek
running through their property to have a some fun, share some stories and
maybe catch a few fish.
The Future Fisherman Foundation is the recruitment and education arm of the
American Sportfishing Association (ASA). For more information on the Future
Fisherman Foundation or the Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs program, visit
us on the web at www.asafishing.org , e-mail us
at [email protected] , or call (703)
519-9691.
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