Washington Outdoor Women’s Retreat – Day 1

September 23, 2015 / Jen / 14 Comments

Driving up to camp, I had no idea what to expect. They gave us a list of what to pack and a rough outline of the weekend, but nothing about what would happen once we were actually there. I was greeted by women on the WOW team and directed to park in a field with all the other cars.

As I began gathering my stuff, I noticed a couple girls walking toward camp with only a backpack that had their sleeping bag attached at the bottom. Now I don’t think that I’m someone who needs a lot of stuff for a weekend, but the list they gave us included a lot of items I wouldn’t normally bring. I had about three bags for clothes, sleeping stuff, and my day pack with hunting boots in there.

As I was closing my trunk, another girl walked by with several bags and said, “Oh thank god someone else actually brought a lot of stuff with them!” We walked over to the main barn to pick up our welcome packets. It was both our first times at the retreat, so it was nice having someone else to be somewhat clueless with.

We picked up our packets and were told to go find a cabin with an open bed. After talking to the girl more, we realized we went to the same college and both loved Bob Seger which meant we became fast friends, or as we affectionately called each other—buddy.

It was interesting, even though I’m in my late-20s at a camp with women of all ages, it felt like being a kid again going back to camp. The same thoughts went through your head… will people like me, where will I sleep, I hope there are cool people in my cabin, who will I eat with in the dining hall?

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WOW Weekend Success!

September 20, 2015 / Jen / 2 Comments

Clockwise: Washington Outdoor Women, my two arrows in the yellow, my shot at the bear target, skinning a duck to get the breast meat.

Before I make several big, long posts about the amazing weekend I had at the Washington Outdoor Women fall retreat, I just wanted to quickly post about how great of a time I had.

I highly encourage every woman to look for something similar in their state. I know when I googled it before, several of these groups came up in different states.

Not only did I learn some great skills during the three workshops, I met wonderful women with shared interests in hunting and fishing. It was refreshing to be able to talk about it with a group of women who all understand the same love of the outdoors.

I’m not sure exactly what my expectations were for this weekend, but I do know this far exceeded any expectations I had. It was a weekend I didn’t want to end and won’t soon forget. I’m already planning the workshops I’ll sign up for next year.

I’ll be making my first long post full of pictures on Wednesday. I’m excited to share some of what I learned on here.

P.S. I fell in love with shooting a bow, I can’t wait to get my own bow and head out for archery season next year!

Gearing Up for WOW’s fall workshop!

September 16, 2015 / Jen / 4 Comments

I’m starting to pack and get ready to head out this Friday for the Washington Outdoor Women’s 17th annual fall workshop! I can’t wait. The workshops I’m taking are: Duck Hunting 101, Archery, and Big Game Hunting Basics. I’m really excited for all of those and know I’m really going to benefit from this. I wish I could’ve gotten into a fly fishing class but there’s always next year!

I’m glad I’ll be taking the duck hunting workshop since I’ll hopefully be out doing that soon with my family.

Outside of going to learn these skills, I’m really looking forward to meeting other women with similar interests. It’s harder than I thought finding women who share a love of the outdoors. Hopefully I can come back from this on Sunday with a couple hunting and fishing female friends.

Expect many posts about everything I’ve learned when I get back!

Surf Fishing on the Oregon Coast

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015 / Jen / 5 Comments

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!

I spent my weekend on the Oregon coast and got to experience surf fishing for the first time. Quite the change from fishing on a quiet lake!

I was given the homework to learn how to tie an improved clinch knot before the trip. The night before we headed out, I helped get the poles ready and tied a couple of knots. I was definitely slower at making my knots than my friend, but the lines held up in the ocean current so it worked!

You need to get a ways out there in the waves to get the line far enough, a bit too far in the ocean for my liking. So I stood back on the beach and took pictures/hoped waves wouldn’t knock him over!

Toward the end, he had me try to cast the line out once. It was a ten foot pole and not the easiest to cast out as you’re trying to keep your balance with waves hitting your legs. You definitely had to stand in a power stance to keep your balance.

Reeling the line back in with the current was also a little difficult. A lot of line went out so it took awhile to reel it all back in. It was definitely fun and I’d love to try it again!

He had one bite on the line. He said it felt big, quickly brought the rod down then left with the bait. It could’ve been anything swimming out in that ocean, part of what scares me about surf fishing. I wouldn’t want to reel in a shark!