At Casting for Recovery, we believe in honoring the women who have made it possible for others to thrive—those who stepped into spaces once thought to belong to someone else and said, “I belong here, too.”
When we talk about women who paved the way in fly fishing, no name shines brighter than Joan Wulff. Known worldwide as the “First Lady of Fly Fishing,” Joan didn’t just break barriers; she built an entirely new path for women (and men) to follow, and she did it with grace, skill, and a relentless commitment to the craft.
Who is Joan Wulff?
Joan Wulff grew up in New Jersey and started fly fishing at the age of 10. In an era when fly fishing was overwhelmingly male-dominated, Joan didn’t just keep up—she led. By her teenage years, she was already making waves in casting competitions, and in 1943, at just 16 years old, Joan won her first national casting title.
It wasn’t long before she was competing (and beating) the best casters in the world, regardless of gender. Joan’s resume is packed with groundbreaking firsts, including becoming the first woman to compete in national casting championships and winning 17 national titles over the course of her career.
But Joan Wulff’s legacy isn’t just about competition. It’s about education, empowerment, and a lifelong passion for helping others experience the joy of fly fishing.
The Wulff School of Fly Fishing
In 1979, Joan and her husband, Lee Wulff, opened the Wulff School of Fly Fishing in the Catskills of New York. There, Joan began teaching the art of casting to anglers of all levels from all over the world. She wasn’t just instructing students on how to cast farther or more accurately—she was giving them the tools to feel confident, competent, and connected on the water.
Continue reading about Joan Wulff, the First Lady of Fly Fishing, at the Casting for Recovery website.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
