The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hosted their annual Women’s Fishing Workshop fishing trip this past weekend at the Grand Isle Fisheries Research Lab, where 14 women perfected their angling skills under the supervision and assistance of experienced LDWF staff and Aquatic Volunteer Instructors. 
 
The primary component of the two-part workshop is a classroom-style instructional course held at Cabela’s in Gonzales. Angling techniques are taught to a group of 30 women, 18 and older, who may lack the opportunity or confidence to learn these skills. The ladies leave the workshop as more knowledgeable, independent anglers. Interested participants are then entered into a drawing for an opportunity to attend a fishing trip based out of the department’s Grand Isle Fisheries Research Lab.  
  
The ladies hit the ground running on Friday evening, learning proper technique to set up their rods and reels followed by casting practice from the dock. On Saturday, LDWF staff and volunteers led both inshore and offshore fishing trips, providing a hands-on opportunity for the participants to utilize the skills previously learned. After escaping early morning storms, the ladies were able to spend a full day on the water fishing for red snapper, speckled trout and redfish. When not on the boat, the ladies practiced fish cleaning, cast netting, trailering and toured the research lab.
 
The next workshop is scheduled for spring 2019. For more information on this program visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishingworkshops.