For more information on the original proposal, read the Maggie Merriman story. But now, after women have fought for equal pay, equal opportunity and equal treatment, some would have us take a step backward in a sport where equality already exists. I don't think so. Tackle limitations make all fly fishers compete on an equal basis.
World records are there for the taking, by men and women.
All it takes to be successful is practice and plenty of hard training. Recent history supports the contention that women can compete in this sport as equals. Marsha Bierman, one of the top anglers in conventional big-game fishing, can fight fish as well, and possibly better, than most men. I have held three fly rod world records. All were previously held by men.