Leigh Johnson

Vicky May: Angler and Advocate

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In this interview, Vicky May shares her journey from a childhood spent hunting and fishing to discovering the rewards of fly fishing and giving back through Fish & Game governance. She reflects on confidence, self-reliance, and why more women should have a voice, not only on the water but around the decision-making table. (Feature photo: Vicky May with Corina Jordan.) Vicky, how did you get into flyfishing? My background is Hunting and Fishing from the days when I was a very young child from opossum trapping to deer stalking with my father. I have endless treasured memories of adventures around duck shooting, camping out and fishing with different family members. I always recall the adrenaline pumping and the excitement catching my first fish without help. Must have been about 11yrs old. Watching and waiting, sitting back in the tussocks for what I felt back then was like endless hours. Feeling the anticipation, trying to be patient, and praying the trout rising around my bait would be its hopefully final destination. I could visualize in my head ( no polarized glasses then) that the very clever trout was eying up my bait. When hooked the sheer excitement of the tugging, leaping, … Read more

“Get out and have fun!” – with Kylie Sargeant

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Kylie with first big brown trout caught in New Zealand! Caught on a 6 weight rod.

In this edition of our Wading Through Time series, we catch up with Kylie Sargeant, a dedicated angler and certified casting instructor whose journey began by chance during family holidays in Australia. Now a Fish and Game Councillor and passionate advocate for the sport, Kylie shares her insights on the meditative nature of fly fishing, the importance of environmental stewardship, and her commitment to helping women find confidence on the water. How did you get into fly fishing, Kylie?  By chance actually. I started fishing as something to do on school holidays with my kids back in Australia. We first dropped a handline off a footbridge at the beach and they were successful and caught fish, so they wanted to do more. Then we got them little spin rods and it was just something we did on holidays. On the annual Christmas pilgrimage to go and see family, we would stop at places and they would go for a fish.  One trip we camped next to a Scottish fly fisherman and he had the kids sitting around his camp table showing them how to tie flies, and he showed them how to cast. I also had a go and really liked it, … Read more

WoTF NZ Annual Report 2025 – 2026

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Introduction Women on the Fly NZ (WoTF NZ) continues to grow as a national grassroots initiative supporting women in fly fishing through community, partnerships, mentoring, storytelling, and advocacy. What began in 2021 as a way to encourage more women into the Kapiti Fly Fishing Club has grown into a nationwide network connecting women anglers across Aotearoa. This year has seen continued growth in community engagement, partnerships with clubs and Fish & Game regions, and increasing recognition of WoTF NZ as a constructive and respected voice for women who fly fish. We are also seeing encouraging growth in female membership across a number of fly fishing clubs around the country. Regional Growth and Community Partnerships One particularly successful example of this growth has been the partnership model developing in Nelson, where collaboration between local women anglers, clubs, and Fish & Game has created strong momentum and increased participation opportunities for women entering the sport. The success of this regional approach demonstrates the value of clubs, volunteers, and regional organisations working together to create welcoming pathways into fly fishing for women. We are also seeing encouraging momentum in Canterbury through the Reel Women group, which continues to provide opportunities for women to … Read more

Cherry Twaddle: Still Exploring New Places

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In this interview with Cherry Twaddle, we hear how a chance casting lesson sparked a lifelong passion for fly fishing, leading to treasured friendships, memorable adventures and years of encouraging other women onto the water. More than three decades later, Cherry is still learning, sharing her knowledge and looking forward to exploring new places. So, how did I get into fly fishing?  In 1990 the Taupō District Council ran a Recreational Women’s Day on one of the parks in our district. There were a number of activities to have a go at but the one that I was keen to try was how to cast a fly rod. No one in my immediate family was into fly fishing. My mother loved spinning and I used to go out trolling on Lake Taupō in my grandfather’s boat.  I enjoyed the session with the fly rod and was keen to get my own gear and go fly fishing. I am 46 years old, my kids have left home… I am ready for adventure!  Who have been your mentors over the years? The first thing I did was buy a book called “Fly Fishing for Beginners “ by Keith Draper. It became my … Read more

Opening the Door to Fly Fishing for Women in Dunedin

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For many women, the idea of fly fishing has always been there — sitting quietly on a “one day” list. Not because of a lack of interest, but because of a lack of access. That’s exactly what Women on the Fly NZ is working to change — and on March 29 in Dunedin, that mission came to life through a powerful collaboration. Partnering with the Otago Anglers Association, Women on the Fly co-hosted an Introduction to Fly Fishing workshop designed to create a clear, supported pathway into the sport. 23 women. One shared starting point. The event brought together 23 women, the majority being absolute beginners or novices to fly fishing. What they shared wasn’t experience — it was curiosity. Many arrived with the same thought: “I’ve always wanted to try this… I just didn’t know how.” By creating a space specifically for women, the day removed a number of barriers — including where to begin, access to equipment, and finding others to fish with. By the end of the workshop, that uncertainty had shifted into confidence, connection, and momentum. A collaboration with purpose This event reflects a key goal of Women on the Fly NZ — working alongside local … Read more

Learning the Little Things with Tony Entwistle

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Jill Holdgate and Tony Entwistle

Women on the Fly NZ encourages women to build confidence on the water through shared learning, mentoring, and time spent fishing together. Occasionally an opportunity comes along for someone to spend time with an experienced guide and accelerate that learning even further. Jill Holdgate recently spent three days fishing and learning with Nelson guide Tony Entwistle of Fly Fishing with Tony. The conditions were far from ideal, but as Jill discovered, challenging days on the water often produce the biggest learning moments. Jill’s Story Spending three days with Tony Entwistle in January 2026 was the highlight of my summer. The fishing was challenging and trout were scarce, but there was something new to learn every minute. Fairly new to getting out on the water, I arrived ready to learn. Tony soon put me at ease, and the learning began almost immediately as we drove around the Nelson region searching for fishable water. Our first stop was St Arnaud, where we paused to visit the eels in the crystal-clear water. Tony told me how his guiding career began there while teaching at an outdoor school. It was a place that helped launch the path that eventually led to Fly Fishing with … Read more

From One Evening to Real Change: Growing Women’s Fly Fishing in Nelson

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Over the past two years, something has been steadily building in Nelson. More women are getting involved in fly fishing. They are attending club days, joining the Nelson Trout Fishing Club, and organising time on the water together. What was once a small presence is now becoming a regular and visible part of the local fishing community. This growth has not happened by accident. That progress can be traced back to April 2024, when Women on the Fly NZ travelled to Nelson to deliver an evening event at the Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game rooms, led by Leigh Johnson, National Coordinator, with Corina Jordan, CEO of Fish & Game NZ, also presenting. With the support of the Nelson Trout Fishing Club and Nelson/Marlborough Fish & Game, 26 women attended from across the Top of the South. There was a strong turnout. More importantly, it became a starting point for a shared commitment that has led to tangible growth in women’s participation. Turning Interest into Action Since that first event, Nelson/Marlborough Fish & Game and the Nelson Trout Fishing Club have continued the momentum. During the 2024/25 season, two practical Women on the Fly events were hosted. The first, at Saxton … Read more

It’s Never Too Late to Begin – Marion’s Fly Fishing Story

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Marion with trophy brown trout

In this interview with Marion Hall, we talk about how she found her way into fly fishing at nearly 50, the people who helped her along the way, and the experiences that kept her coming back. It’s a story of saying yes, giving things a go, and discovering just how far that can take you. Tell us about how you got into fly fishing: I was nearly 50 years old when I started. I really wished I had started many years before. However I didn’t know I was going to become a fly fisher. I had always liked salt water fishing, but fly fishing had never entered my head.  I spent most of my working career in Wellington. I met a chap who was a member of the Wellington Fly Fishers Club and that was where I received most of my tuition. Three or four members of that Club played a huge role in keeping me interested.  I had played competitive squash, tennis,  and softball so I think that may have helped me pick up the casting quite quickly. I remember on one of the club on-stream days, Strato had set me up under a bridge on an abutment and … Read more

Turangi Turned It On – Highlights from the 2025 Women on the Fly Workshop

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The 2025 Women on the Fly NZ workshop in Turangi (7–9 November) brought together 40 participants and 28 mentors and volunteers for a weekend full of energy, learning, and connection. Now in its fourth year, this workshop has become a key anchor in the growth of Women on the Fly NZ and was once again quickly oversubscribed. It’s a clear sign of the demand, momentum, and community spirit that continue to drive this kaupapa forward. Friday evening welcome The weekend began with a relaxed Friday night meet-and-greet at TALTAC. Our Build-a-Burger dinner helped everyone settle in, make connections, and ease into the weekend ahead. Throughout the weekend, participants were well looked after by the hardworking team of TALTAC volunteers who ran the kitchen with warmth and generosity. Their nourishing, home-style meals played a big part in creating the supportive atmosphere we’re known for. Workshop sessions and support Saturday was a full day of hands-on learning. About half the participants were beginners or novices, and they rotated through four core workshops: The Developing Angler stream offered six electives: This two-stream model ensures every angler, regardless of experience, gets the right level of challenge and support. To make the workshop as accessible … Read more

Family Licence Upgrade Welcomed

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From the 2025/26 season, both adults on a Fish & Game family licence will have equal rights — a change that directly benefits women, who are most often the second adult on the licence. That means each adult now has their own licence, can fish independently, and can vote or stand in Fish & Game elections. From 2026/27, both will also receive Fish & Game communications. The push for change Since 2022, Women on the Fly has raised the family licence issue repeatedly with Fish & Game. The University of Otago’s Women Anglers in Aotearoa survey in 2022–23 also highlighted the problem. Women said they wanted the same rights as the “primary” holder on a family licence. It was a simple request, and one that made sense. What’s changed Fish & Game has now listened and acted. Both adults are recognised equally. The key changes are: Looking ahead While 13% of individual licence holders are women, this rises to around 30% when considering women listed as the secondary adult on a family licence. If women angled at the same rate as men, we could see up to 60,000 more enjoying our rivers and lakes. This change is positive for women, … Read more