Because of the sheer numbers of members of Sisters on the Fly, now near 4,500, in addition to the dozen or so national trips, regional Sister groups plan dozens of three and four-day camping and caravan events across the United States.
While camping is the major focus for the majority of the women, fly fishing remains a huge interest for the Sisters major events.
Every year organizer Maurrie Sussman (Sister #1) and her son, outfitter Austin Lowder of Montana Fly Fishing Outfitters, coordinate a Fly Fishing “101” School in Absarokee, Mont. During the four-day event, members learn the fundamentals of fly fishing or hone their basic knowledge of what some say takes a lifetime to master.
“Fly fishing is such a beautiful sport,” said Sussman, “and if you put that in the middle of nowhere on a Montana river, it is such a positive and peaceful experience.”
Sussman and her real-life sister, Becky Clarke (Sister #2), learned to fish and camp from their “amazing mother” Mazie Morrison (Sister #0) of Oregon, 93. She still “loves to fly fish” and has joined her daughters on many of their adventures.
For women who know how to ride and handle a horse, Cowgirl College every June “is all about what it takes to be a genuine cowgirl.” The week-long event takes place at The Willow Creek Ranch at the Hole-In-The-Wall, a 57,000-acre cattle and horse ranch in Wyoming. Activities include roping, branding, herding, laughing and eating.
If you don’t have solid experience in the saddle, but still love horses, consider the Cowgirl Boot Camp in August. “This is a place where you are reminded of the all the things you might have forgotten about a horse.” Each day the Sisters tour the ranch and return to camp to do arena work with the cattle. “Oh my gosh, it is so fun,” said Sussman.
In the final post of this part-4 series, Irene Rawlings author of “Sisters on the Fly: Caravans, Campfires, and Tales from the Road” (2010), Andrews McMeel Publishing, shares some of her thoughts about traveling with the Sisters.
If you missed part 1, ‘Having more fun than anyone’ (Click here)
If you missed part 2, ‘No Men, No Pets, No Kids and Be Nice’ (Click here)
Photos, Top: Fly Fishing 101 offers women the fundamentals of casting and reeling in prize fish in Montana’s fabled rivers. (Courtesy of Sisters on the Fly).
Bottom: Wagon wheels, whiskey barrel and a galloping horse decorate 1967 Yukon Delta, “Runaway Daisy,” owned by Karen LeGlue (Sister #459). (David Foxhoven)
