Photo: Darla Bardelli, a member of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour for 2006, poses next to her boat. (Darla's Web site: www.outdoorsaz.com)

You may have heard of FisherGirl by now as the company was recognized internationally this past summer in Las Vegas, Nev., by ICAST. If you have not, read on.

Milton, Ontario-based FisherGirl Inc. (www.fishergirl.com) won ICASTS’s 2005 New Product Showcase Award -Best in Category Rod & Reel combo for its Mermaid line.

FisherGirl Inc. "soft-launched" its’ exclusive line of women’s fishing rods and equipment in the Canadian market early in 2005 and was officially debuting its line to the world at the ICAST show in Las Vegas in July.

"Being recognized in this way is a tremendous honor," says Terri MacKinnon, founder and CEO of FisherGirl Inc. "This is an awesome time for women … we fish and we like to fish, and now we don’t have to give up our femininity to fish.

"So come on, girls, raise your rods and let’s go fishing!" And, fishing they are — industry experts surmise that while fishing overall appeared to be in a slow decline as the core fisher people, namely men, age and leave the sport, it’s women who are picking up the slack in fishing participation.

Popular Women’s Sport

The 2001 National U.S. Fishing Survey determined that of the 10 most popular women’s sports and recreational activities, fishing shows the strongest growth with 10.8 percent increase in participation. FisherGirl’s products are made with women’s "functional needs" and fashion sensibilities in mind, and it’s FisherGirl’s mission to "help women and girls Catch the Passion for the outdoors, one fishing rod at a time."

It’s all about introducing women to fishing and giving them the tools that will help them have positive and successful experiences.

There is a need for fishing equipment specifically made for women. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are 34.1 million anglers in America, and approximately 26 percent are women. Additionally, of the 28.4 million freshwater anglers in America, 26 percent are women.

More And More Women Anglers

The numbers of women anglers continue to rise as witnessed by the increasing presence of women in tournaments. And, with the unveiling of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour for 2006 by BASS and ESPN, this is likely just the beginning.

FisherGirl strives to tackle the misconception that fishing is predominantly a man’s sport. "Anybody can fish. Fish don’t discriminate as to who catches them, be it male or female, young or old.

"People today are searching for something that is different from the ordinary experience, and FisherGirl offers this through fishing," says FisherGirl founder and avid angler Terri MacKinnon. "We want to share our passion for fishing and the outdoors with other women and introduce them and their families to a healthy lifestyle."

The creation of the first FisherGirl Pink Fishing Rod came initially from MacKinnon’s desire to distinguish her dark-colored fishing rods from her husband’s to curb his friends from "borrowing" her fishing equipment. She painted one of her fishing rods with bright-pink nail polish.

The color made her think of the pink ribbon that signifies Breast Cancer support and of her sister who was at that time struggling with the disease. The result was the creation of FisherGirl.

A Perfect Partnership

The color of the fishing rod and the pink ribbon signifying support for Breast Cancer made for a perfect partnership – Cast for a Cure™. For every sale of a FisherGirl product, 10 percent goes toward the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, to breast-cancer research, and to help with the recovery of its survivors.

Having the right equipment for fishing is a must. A man’s fishing rod doesn’t fit properly in a woman’s hand, it’s too heavy for a couple hours of use, and usually comes in a dark masculine color. FisherGirl created the Pink Fishing Rod and its line of equipment and apparel for women so that women can enjoy fishing in comfort and with success.

FisherGirl products are made for females of all ages, from children to adults, to provide the opportunity to enjoy fishing at any age. Products include the Minnow fishing rod (ages 2 to 6), Tadpole fishing rod (ages 6 to 12), the Foxy fishing rod (ages 13 to 19), the Mermaid fishing rod (ages 19 and up), the Pearl Fly fishing rod, and the Limited Edition Breast Cancer Survival Rod. FisherGirl products are available online at www.fishergirl.com.

About FisherGirl Inc.

FisherGirl Inc. (www.fishergirl.com) is a Canadian-based, privately owned company that develops and markets its own proprietary line of outdoor and lifestyle products for women and girls. FisherGirl’s initial product line up focuses on fishing rods, accessories, and outdoor wear geared to the millions of female anglers throughout North America.

The company is committed to promoting fishing as a healthy lifestyle for women and their families. For additional information, visit www.fishergirl.com or call Darla Bardelli at (623) 516-7878.

About ICAST

The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, or ICAST, is the American Sportfishing Association’s premier event. For nearly 50 years, the world’s largest sportfishing expo has brought together more than 6,000 representatives of the sportfishing community, driving sportfishing companies’ product sales year-round.