Heather Hodson - Northwest Fly Girl

Heather Hodson - Northwest Fly Girl My mission is to encourage anglers to give fly fishing a try. I do this through eduction, socialization and showing that fly fishing is fun!

FisheWear and Casting for Recovery collaborate. Check out the special edition products products where 20% of gross sale...
10/28/2021

FisheWear and Casting for Recovery collaborate. Check out the special edition products products where 20% of gross sales will go back to Casting for Recovery in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month this October.

http://fishewear.com/discount/northwestflygirl

07/12/2021

Its and I honestly never thought I'd have a story to tell or video to share! It all started at outside of Placencia Belize. I already had 1 landed tarpon under my belt and I was feeling pretty good about showing this tarpon who is boss and bring it in as quickly as possible.

I had a large(ish) Tarpon on the end of my line, probably 70-80lbs. With all of my strength, I’m trying to pull the fish up from the bottom. Guess I need to start working out more! 💪 I’m almost to my leader and then, out of no where, I look to my right and see a HUGE Hammerhead shark appear from the depth of the sea. OK, I use a few choice words (sorry for that)! 🦈

Lincoln Westby saids “Hammerhead over 16 feet”. We watch the shark swim around the bow of the boat and then underneath us. I was shocked but also in awe. There were several several Jacks swimming with the shark. Again, a few choice words, and then I felt the tarpon make one last run for its life, jump and get off my line. All the bowing in the world wouldn’t have changed this outcome.

The story doesn’t end here…. What seemed like 30 seconds, but probably only half or 1 second, we see the shark frantically swimming around in circles chasing my tarpon. Miraculously, the tarpon, is able to swim away as the shark again swims past our boat chasing the tarpon. In my mind, the tarpon got away, but I also know the reality of the ocean.

As I reflect back on this experience, I laugh because I was envisioning myself jumping into the ocean to release this fish. Forgetting that the ocean is home to many things that want to eat me. I also think about landing the fish and what could have happened if I was hanging over the boat, keeping the fish wet, to get a photo of this fish? The universe was telling me that this tarpon was not mine.

It was so fun to have the story to tell at the dinner table with all of the guides that evening. There was a debate on what could possibly have happened if we we landed the fish? We’ll just never know what could have happened, but I’m hopeful that the tarpon got away to see another day.

LIVE LIFE - this is a permanent reminder to myself to live everyday to the fullest. In the background of this photo ar...
07/09/2021

LIVE LIFE - this is a permanent reminder to myself to live everyday to the fullest. In the background of this photo are heart stents and a second chance for many. I'm on a long stretch of my Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse identify and today I was quickly reminded of why I originally got this tattoo after I returned back to Spokane after traveling as a Critical Care RN in Texas in 2009.

It might sound cliché, but I'm hear to personally tell you, there's no time like the present! If you're not happy, start working towards something different.

Join me tonight, 7/5/21 from 5pm - 6:15pm PST, as I moderate the July Monthly EDUCATION Virtual Meeting. This meeting ...
07/05/2021

Join me tonight, 7/5/21 from 5pm - 6:15pm PST, as I moderate the July Monthly EDUCATION Virtual Meeting. This meeting is FREE and everyone is welcomed!

This month we have 4 amazing co-hosts from around the world to discuss their Salmon Fishing Tips.

from Alaska will talk about Silver Salmon Fishing. from Nova Scotia will talk about Atlantic Salmon Fishing. from British Columbia will talk about spey fishing for Salmon and Salmon Harvesting Tips. from Ontario will discuss swinging flies for King Salmon with a single hand fly rod.

Zoom Meeting ID - 939 3623 5561
Zoom Meeting Password - 766413

Direct Link in Bio Link

Reunited and Smiling!
07/05/2021

Reunited and Smiling!

Choose to create history, not to be created by it. In March 2021, for International Women's Day, I took the Chose to Ch...
07/02/2021

Choose to create history, not to be created by it. In March 2021, for International Women's Day, I took the Chose to Challenge, committing to helping forge an inclusive world.

July 2021 I'm taking part in the .fish.wet . As someone who had taken the KFW pledge and as a media partner of .fish.wet; I'm personally going to take the challenge of not taking a fish photo in the month of July.

North America is enduring extreme drought and water temperatures much higher than normal. I'm choosing to give the fish a break during one of the hottest months of the year by keeping them wet and releasing them quickly.

As water temperatures rise, fish become more impacted by catch-and-release, which increases the amount of time it takes them to recover and the chance that they will not survive.

Find out more about the science at https://www.keepfishwet.org/no-fish-dry-july.

I'll kick off the non-fishy photos of my home for the last week in Alaska. We all do a lot of things for the adventure of catching fish and I chose to be in mosquito heaven for the chance of catching a King Salmon on my Spey rod. I didn't catch any kings but I got to spend a week with the two most important men in my life. My husband and my dad. Nothing compares to these memories.

PS - This photo was taken at 10pm.

Season 2 of the podcast Erica is connecting with on folks in the fly fishing community that are taking actionable steps...
06/30/2021

Season 2 of the podcast Erica is connecting with on folks in the fly fishing community that are taking actionable steps towards making the industry a more inclusive and equitable space.

This week talks to and the co-creators of 5050 on the Water. These conversations and actions are needed and I encourage everyone to listen! We all can make a difference and be a part of the change! ❤️

Podcast Link in our and BIO.

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In 2017, The Orvis Company launched 50/50 on the Water, an initiative to introduce more women to the sport and to promote those already making a mark in the fly fishing world.

I, as an Indigenous, woman know the gender binary is not inclusive - while focusing on women is important, how are we going to move forward to include gender fluidity, non binary, envy, and trans* communities?

I recognize progress in it’s own right - getting women on the water is an important effort especially if it can be a gateway towards conservation however it’s not enough. How are we expanding our education beyond the gender binary and it’s colonial concepts?

I am thrilled to have my friends, Chrissy Atkins and Jackie Kutzer, co creators of the Orvis 5050 on the water initiative and hear about their individual learnings of launching something this big in the industry and reflections of their learnings on gender concepts.

Never take for granted the moments you have to spend with family! I've been beyond blessed and privileged to spend time...
06/29/2021

Never take for granted the moments you have to spend with family! I've been beyond blessed and privileged to spend time with my dad over the last couple of months. Every cancelled Covid trip seemed to happen at once and I'm thankful we're both healthy enough to continue these adventures. ❤️

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I ❤️ Swinging Flies!!📸 = .ryan
06/28/2021

I ❤️ Swinging Flies!!

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Education is one the United Women on the Fly focuses for 2021. In addition to your Online Course, we're also offering L...
06/28/2021

Education is one the United Women on the Fly focuses for 2021. In addition to your Online Course, we're also offering Live Q&A Sessions the last Monday of each month to those who have taken or registered for these classes. Join us this evening from 4-6pm PST. This is a time to bring questions you have about anything Fly Fishing. Our goal is to create an environment to ask any questions.

Check your inbox with the ZOOM information. We're trying to accommodate several time zones so come and go as you can. Bring your Fly Fishing questions or just hang out and listen to questions that others have.

If you haven't registered for one of our classes go to link in bio. United Women on the Fly recognizes the many barriers of fly fishing. If you are unable to afford a class and want to learn, please email us at [email protected].

Register for a class at https://uwotf.com/product-category/fly-fishing-classes/.

This Q&A session will be led by Heather Hodson - Northwest Fly Girl.

06/20/2021

INDEPENDENCE can be defined in so many ways. I remember my first fish I caught on the fly that I dod all by myself. Casted, drifted, hooked, fought and landed a beautiful Westslope Cutthroat.

I thought about my journey becoming independent and confident on the water during this past week's cutthroat trip with my mentor and friend .

One way I try to continue giving back is sharing knowledge and helping anglers find their confidence on the water.

I'm offering a 2 Week Fly Casting Clinic the evenings of 7/1 and 7/8/21 in Spokane WA. Classes are gender inclusive and open to anyone. Max 4 students. No equipment or experience necessary.

Invest in yourself to become a better fly caster, therefore becoming a better angler.

The class will be taught in drills. This will allow the caster to breakdown each drill and bring practice ideas home. Each drill is directly related to a fishing situation.

All money raised goes back to the direct cost of running/hosting . We acknowledge the many barriers in the sport of fly fishing. Payment options and a scholarship is available. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Register at https://uwotf.com/product-category/fly-fishing-classes/ [LINK IN BIO].

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00000 Stann Creek
Spokane, WA
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Heather Hodson

Heather Hodson @northwestflygril– Founder of United Women on the Fly. Heather is an expert at making anglers (especially women) feel comfortable and becoming a part of the fly fishing community. Sometimes referred to as the “Middle Women,” Heather volunteers her energy and time to connect women, help start a Women’s Program or enable anglers to become more confident on the water. Heather currently holds the position of Western US Women’s/Diversity Ambassador for Trout Unlimited. Her passion for conservation, getting women involved in fly fishing and enthusiasm to think outside the box is infectious.

To connect with Heather or book her for your next presentation email her at [email protected].

Follow Heather on Social Media - Facebook • Instagram • YouTube • Blog