Ft. Lauderdale, FL, June 12 ─ The finest of fishing will be shared with women at the award-winning Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!® Keys weekend University, November 9-11 at BPOE Elks in Tavernier and Islamorada, FL. This women-only getaway in Islamorada (aka the Sport Fishing Capital of the World) in the Florida Keys includes fishing, rigging, conservation and more.
Charlotte Usher of Sebring, Florida, with a nice dolphin (mahi-mahi) she caught at the 2011 LLGF Fishing University. Photo courtesy of Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!
Over the past 17 years, more than 7,000 University graduates have praised the program and returned to learn more. Some have attended as a family to learn fishing skills or to learn how to use their boats for fishing. Others come to experience the adventure of Florida fishing and build their confidence while pursuing the sport.
The age for participants has been lowered to include teenage girls age 16 and up when accompanied by an adult woman. For this event, held in conjunction with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), women will travel from several states for an exciting weekend of educational and hands-on fishing activities, habitat conservation and to meet other female anglers. The University provides an opportunity for the ladies to use their newly acquired techniques to fish inshore or offshore on their choice of a group boat, flats boat or sportfishing boat. New for 2012 are Bonus Fishing Days for participants on Friday, Nov. 9 and Monday, Nov. 12.
The Award-winning “No-Yelling School of Fishing” Curriculum
Known as the “No-Yelling School of Fishing,” this award-winning university for women will kick off Friday, November 9, with a meet-and-greet social from 6:30 to 9 p.m. featuring networking and fundraisers for registrants and guests. Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. with classroom presentations on offshore, bottom, inshore and fly fishing, followed by lunch and hands-on fishing skills until 4:30 p.m.
Named speakers are Heather Sneed of the FWC and Captains Jim Anson, Lee Lavery, Skip Bradeen, Bob Jones, Rick Rodriguez and more. Skills such as releasing, conservation, knot tying, bait rigging, spin and net casting, gaffing grapefruits, trailer backing, boat handling, stand-up fish-fighting techniques and more will be available for hands-on practice. Events conclude with a silent auction, followed by a networking party with food and fun with artist Pasta Pantaleo at his Signature Gallery, Mile Marker (MM) 81.5 oceanside in a historic Red Cross home in Islamorada, FL. On Sunday, November 11, ladies embark on a Fishing Adventure (optional and additional) followed by a fish fillet demonstration out of Whale Harbor, Islamorada, FL. Women can opt to take a male guest on certain charters.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will educate University participants on the importance of marine conservation by showing the habits that can be developed so each person can make a difference, no matter where they fish. Women will learn safe hook removal, release techniques and more.
“Our Keys University offers a unique vacation getaway where women can learn, network and enjoy the fabulous Florida Keys and its remarkable fishing,” said LLGF Founder Betty Bauman. “The new venue at the Elks enables the series to contribute to the Keys community and enjoy a facility that is on the water with beautiful sunset views on the bayside.”
Featured on national network television and more, the University series is held in conjunction with the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, with major partners such as Mercury Outboards, Ranger Boats, Silver Airways, Fishhound.com, Minn Kota, Humminbird and Magic Tilt Trailers. Other partners are listed on the website at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
University registration is $128 for the first 20 participants to register and $158 thereafter. Registration includes instruction, use of equipment, hands-on training, networking reception and fundraisers, lunch, goody bags and more. Fishing adventure fees for Sunday and Bonus Fishing Days on Friday and Monday are additional. The fundraisers help support the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.
BPOE Elks is at MM 92 Bayside in Tavernier. The host hotel is Breezy Palms Resort in Islamorada. Fishing is out of Whale Harbor, Islamorada. Phone: (954) 475-9068; info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
About Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!®
Held in conjunction and with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!®” (LLGF) is a national organization dedicated to attracting more women to sport fishing and to promoting conservation and responsible angling. LLGF promotes networking among women anglers and emphasizes mentorship between novice and experienced members. Founded in 1997 by Betty Bauman, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, LLGF has over 7,000 graduates and is the largest organization in the world whose objective is to introduce women to fishing.
Both Bauman and the University series, often dubbed “The No-Yelling School of Fishing,” are renowned nationally in the sportfishing and marine industries. The organization has earned rave reviews from national media, including Inside Edition, CBS’s The Early Show, NBC’s Nightly News, Good Morning America, Outdoor Life Network, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and more.
Happy graduates of the 2011 Florida Keys LLGF Fishing University in Islamorada, FL. Photo courtesy of Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!
Calendar information: “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!® Florida Keys University, Nov. 9-11, 2012
“Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!”® saltwater fishing university for women, Nov. 9-11 at BPOE Elks, MM 92 Bayside, Tavernier, FL. Early registration is $128 for the first 20 participants, $158 thereafter. Registration includes networking reception and fundraisers, classes at beginner/advanced levels, lunch, hands-on skill stations, goody bag and more. Fishing adventure fees for Sunday and Bonus Fishing Days on Friday and Monday are additional, out of Whale Harbor, Islamorada. Host Hotel is Breezy Palms Resort, Islamorada. Contact: phone (954) 475-9068; email info@ladiesletsgofishing.com; or visit the website at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
