WIRFAB working to upskill women in fishing

The Bass Coast arm of Women in Recreation Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) is encouraging women in Phillip Island and San Remo to become involved in recreational fishing.

It is holding two upcoming free events in July to demystify the male-dominated pastime and break down fundamental barriers preventing women becoming involved.

Barriers preventing women from becoming involved in fishing, explains leader of the Bass Coast WIRFAB Amanda Keilar, can be as simple as the daunting experience of entering a tackle-shop for the first time, or the not-so-simple task of reversing a boat trailer into the water.

The first event is a trailer-backing educational day at the Rhyll Boat Ramp on Sunday July 21 from 9.15am until 4pm.

The second event is a DIY lure-making and knot-tying workshop at Jim's Bait and Tackle, San Remo, on July 23 at 6pm.

Amanda Keilar, who along with her team from Bass Coast WIRFAB has spearheaded the campaign to save the Newhaven Jetty, highlighted the importance of women being able to become involved in the recreational sport in a safe and inclusive environment.

"There's nothing more nerve wracking than if you're trying to back a trailer with a boat into the water and there's a big crowd watching," Amanda said.

However, at the Rhyll Boat Ramp trailer-backing session expert instructors will be on hand to guide complete beginners and give extra tips-and-tricks to those who are more experienced.

The 'Ladies Fishing Talks' event at Jim's Bait and Tackle on July 23 will include a special lure making demo from Kerry Hellsten.

Amanda also said the session will be an opportunity for women to ask any question about fishing gear and equipment without judgement.

"If you haven't been in to a tackle shop before, it can be quite daunting," Amanda said.

"I know if I go into a big Melbourne bait-and-tackle store with my partner, they'll think we're just in there for the guy.

"They'll go up to my partner first and say, 'how can I help you?'

"It's important that women can enter a bait-and-tackle shop and have it not feel like a big deal.

"There's nothing worse than if you're a beginner, and you feel like you don't know what you're looking at when you enter a tackle shop.

"The idea with these ladies' nights is to help us catch up, and give more women more confidence going forward."

The number of women taking up recreational fishing has seen a rapid increase in the past five years, largely thanks to the inception of WIRFAB.

WIRFAB, originally named the Women in Recreational Fishing Network, was established on International Women's Day in 2018, and has now grown to include over 4000 members across Victoria.

Earlier this year, WIRFAB was recognised on the global stage at the 10th World Recreational Fishing Conference, winning an award for excellence in promoting inclusive participation in recreational fishing. 

The Rhyll event on the weekend is held in conjunction with the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) and Better Boating Victoria (BBV).

VFA events manager, Belinda Yim, said "we're really looking forward to this weekend's boating clinic at Rhyll, which gives women who are new to boating or just want to brush up on their skills the chance to do so with the support of experts".

"Sessions are free and there are still places available, but booking are essential by heading to our website."

To register for the sessions, head to: www.wirfab.com.au/events