Fishing in the Central Valley: Celebrating the growing influence of women in outdoor sports
This past Mother’s Day weekend made for a wonderful time to celebrate the growing influence of women in the outdoors.
According to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), ‘Female participation in fishing has been steadily growing over the past decade with 19.4 million females participating in fishing – a nearly 17% increase over the past five years and a 24% increase since 2011. What’s notable is that these increases are higher than general participation rate increases which sit at 11% and 13% respectively.
In 2021 alone, women accounted for 37% of those who fished, the largest share on record.” Their current campaign, ‘Find Your Best Self on the Water,’ is based upon 2022 research by Ipsos which states, “Women who fish have significantly greater grit, confidence, and self-esteem than women who don’t.”
Captain Melynda Dodds and Clara Ricabal are women who reflect that characterization.
Dodds, who has two teenage boys, is the only full-time female charter boat operator in northern California. She owns the New Captain Pete, a 53-foot-long boat based out of Half Moon Bay. Dodds and her deckhand and second captain, Meghan Fox, form the only all-female captain and crew in northern California.
In addition, Dodds operates California Guide Service specialized in turkey hunting along with sea ducks in San Francisco Bay. She’s either on the water or in the field, but her boys are an integral part of her team, frequently accompanying her.
Ricabal, who is also a nurse, has four adult children ranging from 18-25 years old.
She recently relocated to Clear Lake to be able to fish her favorite lake as much as her schedule allows. A tournament director, guide for Catching California Guide Service, seminar speaker, pro-staff for St. Croix Rods and Jackson Kayaks, and outdoor writer for Western Outdoor News, Ricabal is one of the few women participating in major bass tournaments throughout California and the western United States.
She was the first woman to represent California on the B.A.S.S Nation State Team and was one of eight women chosen in the US to represent the Recreational Fishing Foundation in their Women Making Waves campaign. Ricabal also is fluent in Spanish and is deeply interested in growing our outdoor sports for future generations, especially for women and underrepresented youth.
Even as the number of female role models increases, young ladies need encouragement to persist in a male-dominated sport. High school bass fishing clubs are a catalyst for female participation, and Fresno Unified’s Roosevelt High School Bass Fishing Club has several female members.
Corrie Nooteboom, Roosevelt High class of 2013 was the first Bass Fishing Club president, she said the club had a huge impact on her life.
“The Bass Fishing Club (BFC) brought me out of my comfort zone and propelled me into success. I started senior year of high school withdrawn and socially deficient because of bullying in junior year. As one of the few girls in the club, I gained confidence winning individual and team awards. I wrote about the impact of the club on my college applications and at the end of senior year, I was accepted to UCLA,” she said. “I am thrilled that the Bass Fishing Club continues today, with eternal gratitude to advisor Mr. Michael Spencer, who fiercely mentors and gently guides his students towards success.”
An excellent opportunity to introduce youth to fishing is the seventh Annual Information Fisherman’s Expo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 25 at Modesto Toyota, 4513 McHenry Ave. Vendors will supply ‘tons of free product giveaways’ along with a fishing pond for children, casting contests, and fishing seminars. There is no entry free for this popular event.
Dave Hurley is a longtime educator, fishing writer and member of the California Outdoors Hall of Fame.
