Women’s Symposium
Returning at the 2024 Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival ( February 24-25 in Mesquite): Sponsored by Take Me Fishing, an exciting new program designed by and for women to ensure that women from all walks of life excel in the quiet sport of fly fishing.
“Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly Fishing Symposium,” the first event of its kind in Texas, will offer a wide variety of beginner to intermediate fly-fishing programming created specifically for women and taught by experts from all over the country. “We’ve provided numerous introductory casting and ‘Fly Fishing 101’-style classes over the years,” says Festival Director Beau Beasley, “and those classes have been enormously successful. ‘Beyond the Cast’ is different. What we have here is a program by and for women, with a focus on topics that women have told us they’re looking for and haven’t found elsewhere.”
Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communication for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, says that RBFF is “thrilled to be the festival’s sponsor and support this unique women’s initiative at the fly-fishing festival in Texas. RBFF’s Take Me Fishing brand has an exclusive focus on women with its national campaign Women Making Waves, supporting initiatives that make women feel comfortable and confident in the sport.”
Ultimately, “Beyond the Cast” program developers, sponsors, and instructors hope to build a connected community of confident, independent women anglers. Some elements of the program include:
- how to interact safely and appropriately with wildlife
- how to choose the right waders and wade safely
- how to plan a safe day on the river,
- must have flies
- all about fly packs & slings
- understanding rods and rigging
- ask an expert anything with author -Pat Dorsey
- female business owner panel discussion & working lunch
“Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly Fishing Symposium” will not only feature regional and national expert instructors and guides, but will interact with industry leaders at a special lunching on Saturday at the festival. The weekend kick's at a special welcome party hosted by the City of Mesquite. Check back for more details!
Beyond the Cast FAQs
Q. Can I attend Beyond the Cast even if I’m a beginner?
A. Although the symposium has been designed primarily to meet the needs of women anglers with more than a basic knowledge of fly fishing, any woman wishing to learn more about fly fishing can attend.
Q. Do I need to bring any gear?
A. No equipment of any kind is required.
Q. Does symposium participation include a weekend pass to the festival?
A. Yes, it does!
Q. Can I buy Beyond the Cast tickets at the door?
A. Symposium tickets are limited, and when they’re gone…they’re gone for good. If Beyond the Cast tickets remain when we open the doors, then yes–they may be reserved at the door.
For more information about “Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly Fishing Symposium at the 2023 Texas Fly & Brew, contact Festival Director Beau Beasley at fishutopia@comcast.net or check out the 2023 events that will feature “Beyond the Cast”: www.txflyfishingfestival.org.
