ABOUT – driftlesswomenonthefly

About Us

SO MUCH ABOUT FISHING

"What is not to love about a group of women who are kind, funny, intelligent, intentional, curious, and welcoming. All of that, and fly-fishing: 'the most fun you can have standing up!' (Gingrich)."

"Being a part of a growing community of angling women, offers me the ability to teach and learn from people from all over the country."

"DWF provides a forum for sharing the love of fly fishing, communing with nature, and creating lifelong friendships. And much fun is had along the way!"

"My fly fishing journey began as a solo endeavor, but through DWF I have found an entire community who I now call my friends!"

"DWF has given us the opportunity to meet so many great women from the driftless area, to support one another in friendship and fly fishing."

THE SPARK

In the Summer of 2022, Susan and I met for breakfast. We got to talking about the fact that our friendship may have started because of fly fishing–but our bond was now about so much more than that. Wouldn’t it be amazing, I mused, if we could build an even larger community of women who support each other both on and off the water? A community that was inclusive rather than exclusive, supportive rather than competitive, and as much about friendship as fishing.

We agreed that it would. And that was the spark that led to Driftless Women on the Fly.

Geri Meyer

Vice President & Co-Founder

THE VISION

What’s around the next bend? That’s the quintessential question all anglers ask themselves. Will there be a deep pool holding giant trout? Or will there be slippery river rock, and I might fall and destroy my phone? (I’ve done that.) What I know for certain, is that in life or fishing, I don’t want to do it alone.

My vision is that Driftless Women on the Fly will be a community where you can meet your new best friend, maybe learn something new, and share your joy. A community that embraces friendship and trust, all within the scaffolding of fun and fishing.

Susan Jester

President & Co-Founder

THE MISSION

Our mission is to create an inclusive, inspiring, and welcoming global community of women anglers. We believe that every woman should have the opportunity to experience the joys and challenges of fly fishing regardless of their background or financial situation. Through education, mentorship, and community-building we aim to empower women to become confident, skilled anglers, while promoting conservation and natural resource sustainability