By Matthew Sment

Now in it’s 14th year of empowering woman anglers through outdoor education, the Women’s On the Water Skills Intermediate Clinic (WOWSKI) grew to new heights in 2023. This standout program pairs enthusiastic woman anglers with volunteer guides on streams in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless region. The clinic offers students three on the water sessions where they can tune up their skills, decide which they want to build, and then work with the guides to strengthen them. (Be sure to see all the great photos below.)

WOWSKI has earned its reputation as a premiere learning opportunity. Students travel from across the country to participate, and its not difficult to see why. The program is led by a powerhouse of inspiring, talented, and knowledgeable women who are firmly committed to its mission. The volunteer guides provide a deep well of experience to learn from. And to top that off, It all takes place on some of the country’s best trout water!

After some refreshers on skills like rigging, casting, and mending, the students are assigned a guide and head for the water. In this friendly, low-pressure setting, the students receive feedback and encouragement as they build confidence. The guides do all they can to support the student’s preferred learning experience and position them for success. At the end of the day, the students meet to discuss their experiences. WOWSKI is a safe, fun environment for women to learn to fly fish!

These clinics spotlight the value of programs that provide direct mentorship to under-served anglers in our community. They inspire, engage, and empower all involved. This year’s event continued its established tradition of excellence by delivering another outstanding learning opportunity for woman anglers. Congratulations to the WOWSKI 2023 Students and Staff for an excellent Clinic!