By Sue Cocking

scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com

Plenty of women would love to fish with their husbands and boyfriends, but feel intimidated because their partners don’t take time to explain what’s going on and then rebuke them for making minor mistakes.

Betty Bauman found herself in that position nearly 20 years ago, but decided to do something about it.  In 1997, the Fort Lauderdale marketing executive created what she calls the “no yelling” school of fishing, and it has turned more than 8,000 women and girls into avid saltwater anglers.

“When they are done with us, they’re more confident, going to a tackle shop and saying, ‘I’d like to buy this lure to catch a mackerel,'” Bauman said.  “If a lady can do a bit more and is part of the team, tying on her own hooks, she gets more respect.”

The 2015 edition of “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” returns to Islamorada the weekend of Nov. 13-15, headquartered at the BPOE Elks Lodge.  Participants will enjoy a welcoming social on the evening of the 13th, followed by a full day of instruction and hands-on demonstrations on the 14th, and an optional inshore or offshore fishing adventure on the 15th.

Women will learn from both male and female instructors how to tie fishing knots; de-hook or gaff a struggling fish; rig a bally hoo for trolling; cast-net a live well full of bait; back a trailer onto a boat ramp; and numerous other skills.  They’ll be challenged to put their newfound knowledge to work on the water the following day.

“We get a lot of people who have never fished before,” Bauman said.  “They need somebody to open the door and give them a helping hand.”

New this year is the option for women to bring along a male guest or family member.

“Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” has won several national awards for its outreach and instructional accomplishments.  Sponsors include the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

To sign up for the program, visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com or call 954-475-9068.

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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/.  For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing, and powerboat racing.  She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women’s world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.