Julia Mitchell had a kernel of an idea for a few years as she had some "lightly used" fly fishing clothes that didn't fit her any more and thought they would be perfect for another angler. Julia was working in a leadership role with United Women on the Fly which has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion on the water and then started a leadership role with a local fly fishing group where she met Temma Roby. After sharing her ideology of breaking down any barriers for women to enjoy fly fishing and providing used or donated gear and clothes Temma was on board with the mission. The two played to their strengths to get the nonprofit up and running. On August 5th, 2022 Rising to the Fly was born!
Please note we are currently only operating in the US and Canada but hope to one day expand across the globe.
We are an international organization that helps women across the US and Canada. The map represents the states we've shipped out gear and garb to so that more women can get out on the water.
Julia has been fly fishing since 1999 when she took a weekend intro class. She is co-founder of Rising to the Fly as well as a member of the California Fly Fisher magazine editorial board and a member of the Program Committee for iFishiBelong.
Julia’s Favorite Fly Fishing Moment: The first time I landed a fish completely on my own. I set up my own rod, tied all my own knots, chose the fly, chose the part of the river I wanted to fish and landed the fish all by myself. It certainly wasn't the biggest fish but I had a huge sense of accomplishment .
Julia’s favorite river to fish: The Trinity in Northern California is my favorite river. I have a cabin across the street from the river and it’s my happy place. Plus, catching a steelhead is magical.
Julia’s favorite fly: A streamer is a ton a fun but dry fly fishing is nirvana.
Temma has been fly fishing for over two years. She is co-founder of Rising to the Fly, is on the iFishiBelong team and the Board of Directors for Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club.
Temma’s Favorite Fly Fishing Moment: It’s two moments. The first was when I was solo walking and wading Putah Creek by myself in early 2022 and landed my first trout and my second was actually when I lost a fish. I have worked hard to become an independent angler on rivers and I was fishing the Rogue, walking and wading in January of 2023 and hooked into a steelhead on a dead drift. The fish was STRONG. My tippet was not…I got the fish all the way to the net (which was too small) and he broke off everything I had rigged. Rather than beating myself up about what I did wrong, I think it was the first time I thought, damn, that was really cool.
Temma’s favorite river to fish: Well, this could change when I go to Montana this summer but right now it’s either the Dunsmuir/McCloud area or my home water, Putah Creek.
Temma’s favorite fly: Any sort of copper john.
Meet Emily! Emily is our first official Rising to the Fly volunteer and our Sponsor and Volunteer Coordinator.
Emily was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA and worked her way to Northern California over 16 years ago to attend California State University, Chico. Since graduating from college, she has been passionately involved in the Agricultural sector, specifically in California’s Processing Tomato Industry.
Emily started fly fishing over 10 years ago with her husband (Nick) and father in law (David). Unfortunately, her father-in-law became ill and she made a promise to him that her husband would never fish alone. He would always have a partner on the river and a spirit in the sky.
Emily fly fishes with passion and respect this sport deserves. She has developed an immense amount of confidence by surrounding herself with people who share similar sentiments like the co-founders at Rising to the Fly. Emily said, “starting out can be intimidating and in some cases economically challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve never felt like I couldn’t do anything because I’m a woman and I want to empower that same attitude onto others”.
We are so excited to have Emily on our team!
Meet our newest volunteer, Gwynne! Gwynne will be helping out with our education and guidance for Rising to the Fly.
Gwynne’s desire to fish stems back to when she was a little girl. She stood on a dock at Lake Almanor fishing shirtless with her 3 brothers, because she could. Growing up in Northern California, her parents instilled a love of adventure and nature and growing up with 3 brothers gave her thick skin and determination to show she could do “whatever” in spite of being a girl.
Fly fishing hooked and reeled her in, about 5 years ago. She sought out all opportunities to say “yes”, to as many fly fishing experiences as she could manage. She would attribute having an open heart, a learning mindset and a “be brave be awkward” attitude to spawning many adventures and friendships.
Gear she no longer needed was passed on to her eldest daughter, and she taught her to cast. Watching her daughter’s determination and seeing her daughter’s joy at netting her first fish on the fly inspired her to continue to support those who are fly curious (interested in fly fishing).
Gwynne affirms, “I am thrilled to be a part of Rising to the Fly! The only thing better than fly fishing is sharing information, collaborating and supporting other women on how to navigate where and how to begin.”
Brian Miller brings many years of nonprofit experience as well as his passion for fly fishing to the Rising to the Fly Advisory Committee. Brian is Program Lead with the Project Healing Waters (PHW) program affiliated with the VA Medical Center in Martinez, CA and the Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club (DVFF) in Walnut Creek, CA. A DVFF member since 2010, Brian initially supported PHW in 2015 as a donor and sponsor for multiple fundraising events. Previously as Assistant Program Lead, Brian was the Outings Leader for the PHW Martinez program. In 2023, Brian partnered with DVFF leadership to launch the highly successful “Friends on the Water” program which pairs DVFF members and PHW participants to fish together on multiple waters throughout Northern California. Brian has also been the Communications Leader for PHW Martinez. In this role, he partners with PHW participants and volunteers to capture, edit, and submit the stories and photographs from many outings and events.
Brian currently resides with his wife Dian in Martinez, enjoying retirement with their 4 adult children and 9 grandchildren.
Sue Daignault brings a wealth of knowledge about fly fishing and is a fellow member of the United Women on the Fly organization. A Massachusetts native, Sue spent her childhood summers surfcasting for striped bass with her parents and three siblings along the beaches of Rhode Island and Cape Cod. Sue graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1983, with a degree in marine engineering. For 30 years, she served in the U.S. Coast Guard, including postings from Alaska to Louisiana. She moved to Maine in 1989, travels to the tropics each winter to pursue bonefish, tarpon and permit whenever possible, though Maine’s own trout and stripers hold a special place in her heart. Now a Registered Maine Guide and Certified Casting Instructor (Fly Fishers International), she works as an occupational safety consultant, fly fishing instructor and guide. She resides in Harpswell, Maine with her spouse, spending many of her days fishing the fresh and salt waters of Maine. In her fun and fascinating new book, A Full Net, Sue shares with readers how she became “fish-brained,” and a woman increasingly driven to pursue everything from bonefish and tarpon to bass and, of course, stripers—wherever and whenever she could.
Kaith Palmaria brings to the Advisory Committee a wealth of qualifications and a thirst for the magnificence and passion of fly fishing. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club and holds a position as the Social Media Manager & Marketing Coordinator for Out Fly Fishing Fly Shop. Additionally, her qualifications for Fly Fishing Canada's 2024 Women's Team underscore her expertise and commitment to advancing the sport. Prior to finding fly fishing, Kaith Palmaria's professional background is as a Registered Nurse working in psychiatry.
Kaith began fly fishing in 2020, unearthed it's community and unparalleled source of inspiration and fulfillment. She is deeply involved in fostering an inclusive environment for female anglers. With unwavering dedication, she commits her time and effort to not only pursue her own love for fly fishing but also to cultivate a community where women can feel confident, safe, and empowered to explore and adventure in this exhilarating sport.
Sarah Trenschel brings a passion for fly casting and fly fishing education to the Rising to the Fly Advisory Committee. Sarah is a Fly Fishers International (FFI) certified casting instructor and believes strongly that building a community of skilled women anglers is important, and makes time on the water more productive and importantly, more FUN. Sarah has always loved the outdoors and started fly fishing almost ten years ago. While helping teach a Stanford University fly fishing class, she observed very few women taking the class and wanted to help encourage more women to fly fish and enjoy the sport and time on the water and in nature. From that point on, Sarah has devoted most of her free time to learning and teaching fly casting. Today her focus is around teaching teachers and expanding our community of fly casting instructors and coaches to reach more anglers. She has learned through her own journey that being knowledgeable and being a good caster makes fly fishing more fun and rewarding. Fly fishing can be an overwhelming sport and Sarah is excited to join the Advisory Committee to help break down knowledge barriers and share information and insight to build confidence and competence. Sarah works in Human Resources with a focus on training, coaching, and program development. She teaches both single hand and Spey casting at Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club in San Francisco. She lives in Winters, California with her partner and fellow casting instructor, Russ Carpenter, and they spend most of their free time together teaching fly casting and gardening.
To break down barriers to make fly fishing accessible and inclusive to all women. Rising to the Fly is a tax-exempt organization
under the 501(c)(3) section of the IRS.
Making sure all women have access to fly fishing and the outdoors to improve mental and physical wellness.
Rising to the Fly
A tax-exempt organization under the 501(c)(3) section of the IRS. Tax ID: 88-3592929
Copyright © 2024 Rising to the Fly - All Rights Reserved.
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