Pioneers, Record-Setters, and Conservationists: Women in Sportfishing
For as long as lines have been cast into water, women have been there—fishing for sustenance, sport, and discovery. More than five centuries ago, English noblewoman, Dame Juliana Berners penned the first known guide to angling, shaping the earliest philosophies of the sport. Over the centuries, others followed: explorers, scientists, record-setters, and conservationists who redefined what was possible on the water.
Many fought against the tides of tradition, proving that skill, strategy, and unwavering determination mattered more than strength. Others worked behind the scenes, conducting research, tagging studies and mapping migrations, working to understand the delicate balance between angler and ocean. These women founded institutions, pioneered techniques, and set records that still stand today, revolutionizing a sport that had often overlooked their role in it.
The women of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame are more than anglers. They are stewards, innovators, and matriarchs of a sport that reaches every corner of the world. Their legacy is woven into the fabric of sportfishing, stretching from the first fly patterns to the latest breakthroughs in satellite tagging. Discover more about them in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction videos below:
Terri Andrews
IGFA Trustee Emeritus and Fishing Hall of Famer, Terri Andrews, a renowned angler and conservationist, is best known for managing the world-famous Tropic Star Lodge in Panama, which her family purchased in 1976. She began working there in 1981 and took over operations in 1998, modernizing the lodge and making it a premier destination for fishing enthusiasts. Terri has set 10 IGFA world records, including a 24-pound dolphinfish on 4-pound line. As a strong advocate for conservation, she introduced circle hooks at the lodge, significantly improving post-release survival, and worked with Panamanian governments to establish protections for billfish. Terry's contributions to both conservation and angling have earned her numerous accolades, including the IGFA Conservation Award, and she remains a key figure in preserving fisheries for future generations.
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Roberta G. Arostegui
Roberta G. Arostegui, born in 1951 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is an accomplished angler with 236 IGFA World Records across 54 species in 10 countries. After moving to South Florida, she was mentored by her husband, IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer, Dr. Martin Arostegui, and together they travel the world, where their children set numerous IGFA records. Roberta herself began pursuing records late in life when in her 40s, becoming the first woman to achieve 200 IGFA World Records. She has also won multiple prestigious awards, including the Kay Rybovich Award and the IWFA Master Angler Award. Beyond her angling achievements, Roberta has been a dedicated member of the International Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA), serving in various leadership roles. She is celebrated for her contributions to fishing, conservation, and the education of future generations, including her own children, who have followed careers in environmental science and marine biology.
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Pamela Basco
Pamela Basco is one of the world’s most accomplished female light tackle anglers, known for her 14 IGFA World Records across various offshore species. Growing up fishing in Texas, she expanded her horizons by targeting world record fish in top destinations worldwide. Notably, Pam set the IGFA Women’s 20-pound Line Class World Record for yellowfin tuna in 1992 and the Women’s 6-pound Line Class World Record for Pacific blue marlin in 2006. She also completed an IGFA Billfish Royal Slam with a memorable black marlin catch on the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to her angling achievements, Pam has been an active member of conservation and angling organizations, including the IGFA and IWFA, and has served on multiple fisheries advisory committees. Her commitment to both angling and conservation has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Kay Young Memorial Award and induction into the IWFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
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Dame Juliana Berners
Dame Juliana Berners, a 15th-century English nun, is often credited as the author of A Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle (1496), considered the earliest known work on sport fishing in the English language. This treatise offers practical advice on fishing techniques, including the construction of rods and lines, as well as the use of natural baits and artificial flies. Notably, it also emphasizes the virtues of environmental conservation and proper angling etiquette, concepts that were ahead of their time.
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Dr. Barbara Block
Dr. Barbara Block is a leading marine scientist known for her groundbreaking research on pelagic fish, including tunas, billfish, and sharks. Her work in acoustic tracking and satellite tagging has revolutionized the study of these species’ behavior and migration patterns. Block has published over 225 scientific papers and co-produced several award-winning documentaries. She led the Tagging of Pacific Pelagics research program, uncovering the White Shark Café, and co-founded the Great Marlin Race in partnership with the IGFA. A professor at Stanford University, she has received numerous prestigious awards, including a MacArthur “genius” grant and the Pew Marine Conservation Award, for her significant contributions to marine conservation. Block is celebrated for her innovative approaches to studying pelagic fish and her collaboration with recreational anglers.
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Kay Brodney
Kay Brodney was a pioneering fly-fishing enthusiast and one of the most adventurous women in the sport during the 20th century. Born in Wisconsin in 1920, she discovered her passion for fly-fishing in 1948 and quickly became a skilled caster. Despite facing gender discrimination, she went on to win the National Association of Accuracy Casting Ladies Dry Fly competition in 1956 and gained recognition for her steelhead fishing in Northern California. Kay was also one of the first to catch a dorado on a fly and set a remarkable record by landing a 137.6-pound tarpon in the Florida Keys. A graduate of the University of Washington and Rutgers University, she worked as a librarian at the Library of Congress while pursuing her love of fishing in remote destinations, particularly in South America. Kay’s contributions to the sport and her adventurous spirit earned her a place in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
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Deborah Dunaway
Deborah Dunaway is renowned as one of the most accomplished female anglers in history, holding an unprecedented 23 IGFA billfish records—more than any other angler. She is the only person to have held records for all nine species of billfish, achieving a Billfish Royal Slam in 1993, which is considered one of the greatest fishing feats ever. Deborah and her husband, Jerry, were pioneers in the sport fishing world, running the first true mothership operation with their boats Madam & the Hooker, traveling the globe to discover new fisheries. Over their career, Deborah and Jerry amassed 49 IGFA world records, ten of which still stand today. Deborah’s groundbreaking achievements in billfish fishing continue to inspire anglers around the world.
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Sara Farrington
Sara Farrington was a trailblazer in big game angling, known for her remarkable achievements as both a writer and a skilled angler. She set 11 IGFA World Records, becoming the first woman to catch a tuna on rod and reel, land two marlin in one day, and successfully reel in two broadbill swordfish in a single day—one weighing 396 pounds and the other 659 pounds. In addition to her fishing feats, Farrington contributed to top publications like Harper's and Vogue, and appeared in 11 films about big game angling. Her 1951 book, Women Can Fish, stands as her most enduring legacy, offering an insightful look into women's role in the sport during that time.
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Francesca LaMonte
Francesca LaMonte was a pioneering scientist, author, and editor whose contributions to fishing and marine research were invaluable. As Associate Curator of Fishes at the American Museum of Natural History, she co-authored several influential books on freshwater and saltwater species, including Field Book of Fresh Water Fishes of North America and Marine Game Fishes of the World. LaMonte also played a key role in creating exhibits for the museum and held numerous professional affiliations. A founding member of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) in 1939, she served as the first secretary for 39 years and was instrumental in the development of the organization's early publications. Her work in marine science and conservation has had a lasting impact on the preservation of fish habitats and species worldwide.
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Helen Lerner
Helen Lerner, a world-class angler, is best known for her groundbreaking contributions to marine science alongside her husband, Michael Lerner, including the founding of the International Game Fish Association. Together, they organized and financed major scientific expeditions to gather vital data on giant saltwater game fish, providing scientists with unprecedented specimens. Helen was a skilled angler, achieving numerous IGFA World Records and notable firsts, including the first woman to catch a bluefin tuna in Europe and a broadbill swordfish in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Despite often battling seasickness, her achievements earned her a gold medal from France's Académie des Sports for her role in catching the first giant tuna off Brittany.
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Mary Orvis Marbury
Mary Orvis Marbury played a pivotal role in the development of American fly fishing through her influential book Favorite Flies and Their Histories. Born in Manchester, Vermont, the daughter of Charles Orvis, she took over the fly-tying operation of his company at age twenty. Recognizing the need for standardization of fly names and types, she compiled a comprehensive guide with 290 regional patterns and detailed illustrations, which became a national reference for anglers. Her book, first published in 1892, was a best-seller and helped solidify the Orvis Company's success. Despite a personal life marked by hardship, Mary’s contributions to angling remain legendary.
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Eugenie Marron
Eugenie Marron, a talented artist and pianist, became a pioneering figure in big-game fishing alongside her husband, Lou. After an unexpected start to her angling career in the 1930s, she made history by catching the first tuna landed by a woman off New Jersey, US. Throughout their careers, the Marrons traveled the world, setting numerous records and contributing to marine research. Genie set four IGFA World Records in 1954, including the largest broadbill swordfish ever caught by a woman, a record that still stands today. A philanthropist and published author, Genie’s remarkable achievements in sport fishing and her lasting contributions to the field are celebrated in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
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Helen Robinson
Helen Robinson, a trailblazer in sport fishing, made history alongside her husband, Dr. Webster "Doc" Robinson, by landing the first sailfish ever caught on a fly. Their innovative team technique, which is now widely used, involved one angler teasing the fish with live bait while the other presented the fly. Although their serious angling careers began later in life, Helen achieved remarkable success, including setting multiple IGFA World Records. In 1969, she became the first angler to hold world records in all six IGFA line classes. After Doc's passing, Helen continued his legacy, producing the documentary Marlin to the Fly and being featured in the BBC special The Old Lady and the Sea.
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Kay Rybovich
Kay Rybovich played a pivotal role in opening the doors for women in the male-dominated world of competitive fishing. After moving to Palm Beach in 1924, she became passionate about billfish conservation, following her husband John's dedication to the cause. In 1955, frustrated by being excluded from tournaments, Kay and friends founded the International Women's Fishing Association (IWFA), which quickly grew to over 100 members. The IWFA made history by becoming the first female team to compete in the Hemingway Marlin Tournament in Cuba, and they went on to win it in 1957. The organization promoted conservation and catch-and-release practices, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. Kay's contributions were recognized with the creation of the Kay Rybovich Award in 2004, and she is celebrated for her legacy of conservation and inspiring women anglers.
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Helen Sevier
Helen Sevier, born in 1941 in Enterprise, Mississippi, began her career in marketing before joining the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) in 1970. Over her 30-year tenure, she played a pivotal role in growing the organization from fewer than 10,000 members to over 600,000. A strong advocate for conservation, Helen championed the shift to catch-and-release tournaments and helped develop the bass boat livewell. She purchased B.A.S.S. in 1986 and served as its president and CEO until 2001. Helen also focused on youth angler education and conservation, reaching over a million children through local clubs. Known for overcoming challenges and prioritizing people, Helen's legacy is marked by her contributions to both the fishing community and sustainable practices, earning her induction into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
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Joan Vernon
Joan Vernon, a passionate angler and conservationist, began fishing at a young age and developed a love for the sea. She gained recognition in the sport, winning numerous titles, including the Women's World Invitational Tarpon Tournament and the Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament's Fly Championship. Joan's conservation efforts began early, advocating for snook and redfish protection, and later founding The Presidential Challenge of Central America, which promoted sustainable billfish tournaments. She played a key role in popularizing circle hooks to reduce billfish mortality and co-founded multiple conservation initiatives. Joan's numerous accolades include the American Sportfishing Association's Lifetime Achievement Award and NOAA's Environmental Hero Award, and she continues her work to promote conservation and preserve fisheries worldwide.
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Joan Salvato Wulff
Joan Salvato Wulff, a pioneering fly caster, began her journey at age 10 when she borrowed her father’s fly rod. Encouraged by her father, she quickly excelled in casting, winning 17 national titles between 1943 and 1960. Despite societal expectations for women, Joan pursued a career in fly casting, becoming the first woman to win the Fisherman's Distance Event in 1951 and earning a salaried contract with Garcia Corporation in 1959. She later became a renowned teacher and advocate for women in the sport, co-founding the Joan and Lee Wulff Fishing School and writing groundbreaking instructional books. A passionate conservationist, Joan continues to inspire anglers worldwide with her mastery, dedication, and grace.
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