The following is a tale of what can happen when you put your faith in your rod tip and follow it as surely as the line you cast through it. It’s an adventure that takes us beyond simply fishing—it’s a journey of resilience, learning, and growth. It’s not just about casting a line but rather setting our sights on new horizons. From a novice fly fisher in 2011 to preparing to represent Australia at the World Fly Championships in Idaho next year, here’s my story—as the damsel flies.
In The Beginning, There Was Swearing
My story began at Lake Alexander in Darwin. I remember it was a blue-sky day when my initial excitement turned to a deflating acceptance that I wasn’t immediately good at everything I touched. You know what it’s like when you write something in the air with a lit sparkler, then close your eyes to see that it’s temporarily held on your retina for you to enjoy behind your eyelids for a short while? That’s how the blue sky appears in my mind’s eye… with a variety of cast fly lines, freeze-framed for my assessment. I’ve never appreciated an uninterrupted skyline more than that day when I felt there were two options before me: break that freakin’ rod over my knee and leave; or put it down, retreat to the shade of a tree, and sit-watch-assess what was working for my fellow beginners and what was not. Thankfully, I chose door two and those are the scribbling lines still etched in my brain.
I learned a lot during that twenty minutes on the sidelines. It was probably the first real life lesson from fly: when it’s not working, slow it down and take stock. Focus on the technique. Go back to basics.
My first successful catch came soon after at a ‘come and try’ event at the Darwin Waterfront. A modest gobbleguts—barely the length of my index finger, but a fish, nonetheless. I doubt such a fish would rate in the annals of most anglers’ memories, but this ugly little fellow remains one of my most significant catches.
By 2013, my casting skills had improved, although I still caught more trees behind me than fish in front. Given my husband’s prominence in the fishing world, I couldn’t hide. There was always a story to be shot in that era — and if fly was the topic, I was handed my tackle, pointed in the direction of water and told what I was targeting, inadvertently setting a stage I wasn’t quite ready to own. Whilst I could cast adequately enough, I had no knowledge about the gear in my hand. It had always been selected for me according to the story and I began to feel anxious about being asked for advice by folks who’d watched our footage.
Glenn Eggleton (pictured at Dunmore Trout Waters, NSW, in 2024) has remained a friend and mentor to Jo ever since they met in 2018 at the beginning of Jo’s ill-fated Fly Gear Gap Year.
My Fly Gear Gap Year— A Unfortunate Twist of Fate
To get a genuine grasp of fly fishing, I declared 2018 would be a “Fly Gear Gap Year” where I would only fish using fly. However, just two weeks in, a misstep at Highland Waters in Tasmania resulted in a torn ACL — an abrupt spanner dropped from a great height that demanded surgery and a gruelling recovery regime. But not before facilitating a meeting that would plant a kernel of aspiration in my being.
The day before that fateful twist (see what I did there?), I met Glenn Eggleton, an avid competitive fly fisher who was in the throes of trying to inspire enough women to compete in fly tournaments so that Australia could develop all-women teams for international competitions. Glenn encouraged me to join, but I was a long way short of being able to help… I hadn’t even discovered any line beyond my floater!
“Keep it in mind,” he said.
Jo’s casting had come a long way, but her knowledge of fly fishing was still very limited in 2018.
Above: Jo prospects on the Tyenna River, Tasmania in the first days of 2018.
My Floggy — as I lovingly referred to my Fly Gear Gap Year — was hampered by the rehabilitation of my left knee, but it was still an incredible learning curve. I worked hard with my physio and invested in a titanium brace that allowed me to participate in boat-based and flat sand fly fishing. I interviewed various high-profile people to enrich my learning, and focused on the thing that frustrated me the most: casting in the wind!
If you’d like to check out my musings, learnings, blogs, or interviews from that year, click here. They’re all still available on our website.
Joining the fly fishing tournament circuit has expanded Jo’s circle of adventurous friends, with Rebecca Bailey (above) becoming a favourite river buddy.
An Unexpected Turn
Two years ago (almost to the day), Steve was invited tocompete in his first fly tournament. Being a naturally competitive spirit, Iwas intrigued… and I had that faint Eggleton echo in my head: “Keep it in mind”.And so, both Steve and I entered our first fly fishing comp—a loch-style eventon Lake Eucumbene. While hubby hasn’t pursued it further, I was instantly hookedby the strategic and competitive elements of the sport. It’s the mostchallenged I’ve ever felt in any sporting arena… especially when it comes tothe scoring!
Totally confused by that aspect, I signed up as a wildcard to fish the next national championships and learnt more in those five days than I anticipated — although the Fips Mouche scoring system still befuddled me!
For those interested in how I fared in that tournament, I came last…. And rightly so!
I also did something else… I set a goal to make the Australian Ladies Fly Fishing Team. One day.
From left: Casey Pfeiffer, Jane Forster and Jules Stevens on the ladies podium after the conclusion of the 2023 Australian Championships in Tasmania.
Fast forward to a month ago, nearly two years from that defining moment… I was astonished to receive an invitation to join the Australian Ladies Fly Fishing Team—a year ahead of my own expectations and despite being ranked #7. The opportunity arose unexpectedly when two top qualifiers had to withdraw, and I eagerly accepted, ready to rise to the challenge.
My Road to the World Championships
If I was my coach at this point, I’d be taking stock of what I have to work with: a 55 year old woman with a dicky knee and negligible fitness, a huge appetite to learn, an anxiety about fast flowing water, and an insatiable penchant for fly fishing. It’s a start… but I have a lot to do before we hit our first beats at Idaho Falls.
Jo invites you to follow her triumphs and harrumphs as she whips her 55 year old self into shape to represent Australia.
With ten months to go, I’ve begun intensive preparations. My stepdaughter Amy, a personal trainer, is helping me enhance my physical fitness (including intensive core development to help manage my anxieties about fast-flowing waters). The upcoming tournament season offers ample opportunity to refine my skills and tackle various fishing conditions… in fact, we’ll be heading up to the high country for some trout action very soon 😉
I want to take you with me!
This journey is about more than personal achievement; it’s about inspiring others to explore the joys and challenges of fly fishing. I’d love you to follow my preparations and experiences leading to the world championships on my blog [Fishotopia] (https://www.fishotopia.com.au/fit-to-fly). Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a curious onlooker, there’s an adrenalin rush in every cast and a story around every river bend.
Until next time… FISH ON!
For three decades Jo has worked with businesses and personalities, helping them to promote themselves in one form or another, whether through graphic design, advertising, promotions or marketing.
She has owned a fishing rod for just as long, but it’s only been in this new century that it hasn’t been allowed to gather dust.
Jo is a passionate advocate for the sport of fishing and its promotion as a healthy lifestyle for women.
To find out more about Jo visit her website HERE
Or you can visit her Fishtopia Web site HERE or on the banner below.
Jo is also the founder and National President of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League (WRFL) Inc. The work they do is very important in balancing the participation ratios of fishing in Australia, thus making the collective voices of Aussie anglers more harmonious and powerful, as well as shoring up the economy of the sector. For more information visit their Website at womensrecfishingleague.org
