On a mission for fishing
MEET ASHLEY RAE – SHE LOVES TO FISH
IT ’ S THAT TIME of year when people put away the sun shirts and pull out the hoodies and layered clothing , but it ’ s not yet time to winterizethe boat , because it ’ s still great to be out on the water with a rod in hand . And as I change seasons this year , I ’ m pumped because I ’ ve joined the roster of writers for Fish , Hunt & Ride Magazine !
Unlike many of them , I ’ m a relative newcomer to
ASHLEY RAE
this city ( my third year here ) and am still impressed by the incredible fishing opportunities in and around it . I think I ’ m here to stay .
I was born and raised in Napanee , and introduced to fishing at a lodge on Kashwakamak Lake north of that Lake Ontario city when I was five . Fishing wasn ’ t a hobby for my parents , but Arnold , a close family friend and owner of the Twin Oaks Lodge , devoted time each year to taking my younger brother and I fishing when we visited the lodge . It was highlight of summer .
Over the years through high school and college into adult life , fishing remained my favourite activity . On the water was where I was happiest and weekends weren ’ t enough . The nine-to-five routine as a medical office administrator wasn ’ t where my heart was , though it offered stability . So I vowed “ never again ,” quit and I began the slow transition into a fishing industry career .
One of my best decisions was creating the SheLovesToFish . comblog in 2009 to document my adventures . I had won World Fishing Network contest prize – to be taken off to a dream fishing vacation in Tobago . The contest was open to residents of Canada and the United States and fortunately I had enough support locally and internationally to take the lead in votes . I used the blog to share my Tobago experiences with those who voted for me and have continued to document my fishing adventures ever since , connectingme to wonderful people from around the world who share mypassion for the sport .
Throughout the years I haven ’ t let up chasing my dream , and amazing opportunities popped up as a result . I began writing a fishing column in a Kingston newspaper , put on seminars at trade shows , and have hosted episodes on World Fishing Network television . I ’ ve traveled to other parts of the country and world to experience fishing somewhere new and to document those experiences .
And along the way , I met someone to share my life with who is as passionate about fishing as I am . Which is how I ended up in Ottawa . I moved in with Eric and worked at a local fishing retailer for a year until moving on to Angler ’ s Atlas . Based out of British Columbia , this company offers free bathymetric maps , a social platform , and an app for anglers to share photos , fishing reports , map markers , boat launches and more .
The journey has been challenging , butwhen you step off the nine-to-five treadmill , nothing comes easily . I think back , remembering a regular paycheque and the ability to leave work at work . But I crave the variety and even the chaos in my fishing career , and I ’ m enjoying the ride .
My biggest muskie to date was caught in Ottawa and there have been many other memorable catches in and around the region . Thank you to Ottawa for a new fishing base , and to Fish Hunt &
Ride readers for getting to know me a little bit . I look forward to sharing year-round , multi-species adventures in upcoming editions . You can connect with me on social media and SheLovesToFish . com to share your fishing stories !
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