From record-breaking salmon catches to championing the fight for clean waters … the women who have made their mark in angling

To commemorate International Women’s Day on Saturday, 8th March, the Angling Trust celebrates women past and present who have made their mark on the world of angling.

Georgina Ballantine’s name is etched in angling history. Her capture of a River Tay salmon weighing 64lb (29kg), measuring 54 inches in length with a girth of 28.5 inches, has stood as the largest rod-caught salmon recorded in British waters for over 100 years.

But it was not only her passion for angling that defined her life. In a male-dominated world, Georgina became the embodiment of perseverance in all that she encountered.

Born on November 25, 1889, in Caputh, Scotland, she was the daughter of Christina White and James Ballantine, a registrar and esteemed ghillie. From an early age, Georgina was introduced to the rhythms of the River Tay, cultivating a deep-seated love for fishing.

Her professional journey was as commendable as her angling pursuits. Between 1914 and 1919, Georgina served as a nurse in Perth, London and the battlefields of Bapaume, France, during World War I. Her dedication earned her decorations from the Red Cross, reflecting her commitment to service and resilience. Post-war, she returned to Caputh, assuming the role of registrar, a position previously held by her father and once again took up her love for fishing.

At dusk on October 7, 1922, fishing alongside her father on the Glendelvine beat of the River Tay, Georgina hooked a formidable salmon. The ensuing battle lasted over two hours, with the monster fish eventually landed in darkness with only the light from a nearby cottage illuminating the water.

Georgina Ballantine with her record salmon weighing 64lb

Georgina’s monumental achievement was a triumph for women anglers, yet she still faced the gender biases prevalent in early 20th-century Britain. A watercolour painting of her prized salmon by A.J. Rennie was displayed in the dining room of the Flyfishers’ Club in London, but as a gentlemen-only venue at that time, Georgina was not allowed to visit.

The significance of Georgina’s catch extends beyond its size. It symbolises a period when women were challenging traditional roles and making their mark in various domains, and her legacy continues to inspire.

In her later years, Georgina faced health challenges, including arthritis that led to the amputation of both legs. Following her death in her hometown at the age of 80, the Reverend Bell remarked:

“For many years to come there will be those who turn to their children and say ‘I knew Miss Ballantine who caught the record salmon. She was a truly wonderful person’.”

Although not documented, one can only imagine the impact that the story of the Great Tay Salmon had on other female anglers at that time. Women like Clementina “Tiny” Morison who made her mark on angling history just two years after Georgina’s record catch.

While fishing the River Deveron in Scotland, Clementina landed a 61lb Atlantic salmon on a “Brown Wing Killer” fly. The catch remains the heaviest UK fly-caught salmon to date.

Clementina ‘Tiny’ Morison with her record fly-caught salmon of 61lb

Fast forward 100 years to the present day, and women are once again experiencing the pleasures that fishing provides, just like Georgina and Clementina did.

“There’s definitely been a surge in the number of females on the bank fishing in the last few years, particularly in carp fishing,” says Bev Clifford, Angling Trust Board Member  and Ambassador, and former Ladies Carp Team England Manager.

“I think we started seeing it slowly increasing eight or nine years ago, and since then it’s gathered pace. Social media has been a massive help, as has the angling media promoting more women on the bank.

“A lot of the big tackle companies are now taking on female anglers and promoting them on their social channels, too. It all helps to show that angling is inclusive for women and that as a sport we want to highlight that women can be just as good at catching fish as the men.”

Bev Clifford says more big tackle companies are now taking on women anglers

Those sentiments are echoed by fellow Angling Trust Ambassador Amie Battams, a passionate fly-fishing angler and social media influencer.

Amie was one of several high-profile female anglers who wrote to the 140-year-old Flyfishers’ Club last spring protesting against its discriminatory stance on female members and expressing her sadness that it had “not evolved to include women”. The club voted last October to permit female members.

Since taking up fishing during the 2020 Covid lockdown, Amie’s humorous fishing videos at home and abroad have brought her thousands of followers on YouTube and other social media platforms.

“Once I started fishing, I was hooked,” said Amie. “I’ve always had a love of nature, but I never used to know anyone who went fishing. The great thing about fishing is anyone can do it. There’s so much available out there, whether you live in the countryside or city, and urban fishing is fantastic.”

Aime Battams with Angling Trust’s Head of Policy Martin Salter

In the five years since landing her first rainbow trout, Amie has become a powerful advocate for inclusivity in the sport and has frequently highlighted the challenges faced by women anglers. She has also added her voice to the campaign to halt pollution of our rivers and seas and is a passionate supporter of our Anglers Against Pollution campaign calling on the government to halt the decline in rivers.

Angling Trust Ambassador Marina Gibson is a prominent fly angler, casting instructor, guide and conservationist dedicated to promoting inclusivity within the angling community. She has played a pivotal role in promoting fishing among women and younger generations and advocating for its mental health benefits.

Marina’s passion for fishing was nurtured from a young age. She began fishing at the age of five, influenced by her family’s enthusiasm for the sport. But while both her parents introduced her to fishing, it was her mother, Joanna, who became her guiding star from the age of 11, forging a mother-daughter partnership that set Marina on her angling path.

“For me, it wasn’t a big deal that my mom was into fishing in what is perceived as a male dominated sport and back then even more so,” says Marina. “It was great to be in and amongst it. Watching my mom fish just normalised it for me. When I was younger, I wanted to be with my mom. I used to follow her down the river, watch her fish, try to copy her and that’s really how I learned. I wanted to emulate her. Still now, when we go out together and fish, they’re definitely our happiest times.”

Marina Gibson says fishing trips with her mother are still the happiest times

Marina transitioned from a corporate career to pursue her passion for fishing full-time. She became a certified Fly Fishers International casting instructor and established herself as a fishing guide. In 2019, she founded the Northern Fishing School at Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire, aiming to make fishing accessible to all. The school now teaches over 400 people annually the art of fly fishing.

Marina also co-founded the Cancer and Pisces Trust charity, which seeks to improve the lives of cancer sufferers through the therapeutic pastime of angling, fostering connections with nature and community.

Here at the Angling Trust, Hannah Rudd, our Marine Policy and Research Manager, is committed to protecting the waters we fish, supporting angling and advocating for more women anglers.

Hannah Rudd believes a thriving marine environment is essential for coastal communities

Hannah was introduced to the sea by her father and their fishing trips together kick-started a lifelong passion for the ocean which led to her pursuing a career in marine science and policy.

“For people like me, the fight for sustainable seas and rebuilding fish populations never stops,” says Hannah. “I love fish, I love fishing, I love eating fish and I want people in the future to have those opportunities too. I’m proud to work for the Angling Trust and with sea anglers around the country who share that vision.

“In my 28 years on this planet we have lost a staggering amount of marine biodiversity. Listening to anglers like my dad speak about the number and size of fish he could catch when he was my age, and seeing the photos to prove it, breaks my heart. Our baselines are shifting, and we should never lose sight of what our seas can be if we give them a chance.

“Our oceans are in crisis. And we need to act urgently and ambitiously before it is too late. Thriving coastal communities depend on a thriving marine environment. Without thriving fish populations and a healthy marine environment our already deprived coastal communities will continue to decline. We’ve got to come together and take bold steps.”

Likewise, Dr Emily Smith, our Environment Manager, has been actively involved in initiatives to combat littering and protect aquatic environments, including biosecurity and invasive species campaigns. Under Emily’s management, our Anglers Against Litter campaign, sponsored by Shimano and supported by The Insurance Emporium, has inspired hundreds of angling clubs across the country to organise litter picks to protect the environment.

Dr Emily Smith is playing a leading role in protecting aquatic environments for anglers to enjoy

Emily also heads up our Fisheries Support Service in partnership with the Environment Agency to provide essential advice and resources to angling clubs and fisheries, plays an active role in freshwater policy and our Love Fishing Love Nature campaign, and is leading an exciting innovative expansion of the Water Quality Monitoring Network into estuaries.

“Anglers have always shared a deep bond with water and the fish that inhabit our rivers, lakes and seas, making them natural guardians of the environment,” says Emily.

“At the Angling Trust, my work is dedicated to fostering best practices within the angling community, and equipping anglers with the knowledge and tools to actively protect, promote, and develop our waters for future generations.”

As we celebrate these remarkable women in angling, we also honour the countless other females – past, present, and future – who cast their lines with passion, skill and determination. Their contributions continue to shape the sport, inspire new generations, protect our environment and prove that the water holds no boundaries for those who love to fish.