Sacred Spaces

Words by Bridget Moran

Women in fly fishing

“Women in fishing deserve their sacred spaces”

Women are held in different regards when it comes to fishing. In some places, I’m condescendingly questioned and tested, as if I couldn’t possibly know what I’m doing. I walk into a fly shop with my boyfriend, Colin, and ‘Chad’ behind the counter pushes past me to cater to Colin (poor guy couldn’t care less about fishing). In other places, a singular woman gets invited as a last minute addition to a trip (or a film…) so that organizers can check the “diversity box.”

Neither of these approaches sit well with me.

Women in fishing deserve their sacred spaces—environments where they can shamelessly flaunt their identities, insecurities, dance moves, beer belches, and record-setting catches; places where they don’t have to compete (if they don’t want to); and most importantly, spaces where they don’t, for a second, question their own safety. As it stands, the male-dominated culture of fishing can’t always be that place for women.

I also want female anglers to be the norm. We’re not something to be shown off, nor are we to be tossed in for the sake of ‘diversity.’ Not all of us want to be separated from the general population of anglers. Sometimes I just want to go on that salmon trip with the guys I trust and not have to do an interview about how this trip is different for me because I’m a woman. 

These two things—having sacred spaces and seamless inclusivity—aren’t mutually exclusive. We can have both, and until the dominant culture can ensure our safety, we’ll need those sacred spaces. But I also believe that we can celebrate women’s inherent uniqueness as anglers without holding them at an arm’s length from the broader conversation. The fishing community is figuring this out, slowly but surely and certainly thanks to thousands of women willing to push the envelope every day. 

So, what can our well-intentioned gentlemen do to help move the needle for women anglers? Foremost, dedicate yourself to continued learning and don’t get wrapped around the axle if/when you make a mistake. Ask women you’re close to (not random ones on the street or at the coffee shop. They’re busy. Please do not bother them—especially the ones with headphones on) what it is they want or need to make them feel empowered on the water, and then do those things. Think critically about what you and your buddies do or do not do that would make someone feel unsafe or unwelcome. Key into things that make women uncomfortable and call those things out. Women have to do a lot of heavy lifting in terms of general survival, so any effort men can make in terms of checking unsafe rhetoric/behavior would be much appreciated.

What’s cool is that there will probably be women who disagree with me. Women aren’t monolithic. Our needs and preferences differ. Honor that. While the approach may vary, the goal is always the same: help us feel safe, welcome, and rad.

*Writer’s note: when I say ‘women,’ I mean trans women just as much as I mean women assigned so at birth. I mean Black women, Indigenous women, Asian women, Latina/e women, recognizing that race, sex, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and many more elements of people’s identities intersect in different ways to create different experiences.

-Bridget Moran

Bridget Moran getting rad on the river

Bridget Moran

Bridget grew up squid fishing in the Puget Sound with her dad on cold, wet school nights. After nearly three decades in Western Washington, she remains an avid angler and coldwater conservationist. Bridget works for American Rivers, focusing on hydropower reform and federal river protection campaigns in the Puget Sound and Columbia River basins. She is also the president of North Sound Trout Unlimited and has published the occasional piece of writing in Dun Magazine, The Flyfish Journal, and Moldy Chum. When her head’s not buried in conservation projects, Bridget lets loose in rivers with rods and in the mountains on bikes and skis. 


A note from DRYFT

On this International Women’s Day, let’s commit to working towards a world where everyone has equal opportunities to explore and enjoy the great outdoors. Let’s continue to challenge ourselves and others to break down barriers and create more inclusive outdoor spaces. Together, we can make a difference and create an inclusive future for all.

Outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting have historically been dominated by men, making it difficult for women and other underrepresented groups to feel welcome or have access to the resources they need to participate.

As a company that makes women’s specific fishing gear, we’re continually taking feedback and making improvements, and continuing to learn and grow towards the goal of making the outdoors a truly open and inclusive space for all to enjoy. The work is ongoing, but together we can make progress. Thank you for being here and showing up to help by supporting all women in the industry, in the workplace, out on the water, and everyday. 

Thank you.

-Nick, Sam and the DRYFT Team.

“I did a ton of research before choosing these waders. I’m 5’5”, plus size, and the search for inclusive sizing was daunting. I’m sick of sportswear companies that think only straight-size people enjoy the outdoors. So glad I came across Dryft! … Feels good to support a business that cares about the environment, nails customer service, and is in touch with real outdoor adventurers and their needs! 10/10 would recommend!”  

-Heather  
Verified Purchaser  1/25/23

Korkers™ Wading Boots are now available

It’s official.

We’ve been using and recommending Korkers wading boots for years, and now have Korkers wading boots available to purchase direct from us.

Why choose Korkers™ Wading Boots?

Korkers™ boots are far and away our all time favorite boots (we REALLY like the River Ops™ and Devil’s Canyon™ model), and we can’t recommend them more highly than by offering them for sale alongside our own brand of DRYFT™ waders.

They’re lightweight, durable, functional, fit our waders well and all come with interchangeable soles. Being able to swap between rubber, felt, studs, and more to match the conditions and allowable materials (felt is banned in some areas) is clutch.

Korkers River Ops Wading Boots
The River Ops wading boot upgraded with Triple Threat Carbide Spike Soles

When you’re in need of new boots, we highly recommend checking out the Korkers River Ops, Devil’s Canyon and Women’s Darkhorse.


Upcycling used waders into new reusable products

We’re pleased to announce new reusable products, in partnership with Recycled Waders. We’re taking unsellable returns and upcycling them into new and reusable bags and totes. By partnering with Recycled Waders we’re teaming up to bring circular life to old waders, keeping materials out of the landfill, and putting them back in consumers hands as long term reusable products.

Upcycled waders tote bag built from recycled fishing waders
Upcycled tote bags built from recycled fishing waders

The Process of Upcycling Fly Fishing Waders

The upcycling process for waders

When faced with the dilemma of what to do with the unsellable returns we’re receiving, we decided on teaming up with Recycled Waders to turn them into sweet new upcycled and reusable products. Each unsellable wader that comes back still has lots of usable materials, between the fabrics themselves, zippers, and buckles. Each piece is assessed for usability, processed and cleaned before being repurposed into a new item.

How the waders are collected, cleaned, and repurposed

The materials we’re using to make these reusable upcycled products come from returns that are in unsellable condition, warranty (defective) products, and excess materials from production. They are often used, dirty and damaged. The first step is to put them through a thorough cleaning process. Each wader that is deemed unsellable and fit for upcycling is cut into usable portions, and then laundered in commercial laundry machines.

Materials used in upcycling waders

The tops of standard waders make great tote bags. By utilizing them in their mostly original form they can turned into functional tote bags for carrying gear to the car, or groceries to the house. The leftover material from the legs work great to create smaller items like the accessories pouch. An emphasis is put on reusing as many materials as possible, but each upcycled product does need some raw materials required, such as thread, webbing, finishes and some zippers.

Making bags, wallets, and other accessories from old waders

Recycled Waders has been at this game for a long time. We leaned on their expertise to come up with an intro line of two items – a tote bag and a small accessories pouch. The tote bag is great for holding waders, boots, and clothing, and also makes a perfect grocery getter. The accessories pouch fits a bunch of fly reels, tackle, or works great as a toiletries kit for travelling.

Benefits of Upcycling Fly Fishing Waders

Environmental and economic benefits of upcycling

We are choosing to do this as a way to keep materials out of the landfill, and put them back into serviceable use as new products. Creating new materials incurs environmental and economic cost, so keeping those materials in use for as long as possible helps reduce the carbon footprint of that material. Additionally, a reusable bag in theory can help eliminate the use of single use plastic or paper bags.

By minimizing waste, reducing the use of non-renewable resources, and promoting the use of reusable products, the circular economy can help mitigate the negative environmental impact of consumption. This can help us all save costs as well by reducing the amount of waste generated and by minimizing the dependence on virgin materials. We hope you enjoyed this information, and for further product information please visit the links below.

Planting Trees along the river

Our main conservation partner, One Tree Planted, helps us plant trees where they are most needed along salmon bearing streams in the Pacific Northwest. All year long we plant one tree for every wader sold, and are doubling that this year during our Annual Fall Sale. Trees provide the fish in the river with the shade, cool water, and structure they need to survive. We hope you’ll join us in donating to conservation this year.

Small Business Saturday

The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is known as Small Business Saturday, and is a way to focus support for small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country who have decided to go it alone without corporate backing.

DRYFT™ is a small independently owned and operated business, run by long time friends and co-founders Nick and Sam. 

Alongside family members we run daily operations and oversee all aspects of the business together. We can’t thank you enough for your business and support this year and would like to take the opportunity to let you know that we truly appreciate you and hope you enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. 

Happy fishing to you,

 -Sam & Nick   

New SEEKR Convertible Waders

Tap into your inner Farmer John in the new SEEKR Convertible Waders

Based on the popular OG S14 waders the new mid-weight SEEKR waders convert from chest high to waist highs in a snap. The new SEEKR Convertible Waders are fully constructed of our mid-weight four-layer breathable and 100% waterproof DWR coated fabric in ‘denim’ print. Made for your next quick and light fishing mission.