At Casting for Recovery, we believe in honoring the women who have made it possible for others to thrive—those who stepped into spaces once thought to belong to someone else and said, “I belong here, too.”

When we talk about women who paved the way in fly fishing, no name shines brighter than Joan Wulff. Known worldwide as the “First Lady of Fly Fishing,” Joan didn’t just break barriers; she built an entirely new path for women (and men) to follow, and she did it with grace, skill, and a relentless commitment to the craft.

Who is Joan Wulff?

Joan Wulff grew up in New Jersey and started fly fishing at the age of 10. In an era when fly fishing was overwhelmingly male-dominated, Joan didn’t just keep up—she led. By her teenage years, she was already making waves in casting competitions, and in 1943, at just 16 years old, Joan won her first national casting title.

It wasn’t long before she was competing (and beating) the best casters in the world, regardless of gender. Joan’s resume is packed with groundbreaking firsts, including becoming the first woman to compete in national casting championships and winning 17 national titles over the course of her career.

But Joan Wulff’s legacy isn’t just about competition. It’s about education, empowerment, and a lifelong passion for helping others experience the joy of fly fishing.

The Wulff School of Fly Fishing

In 1979, Joan and her husband, Lee Wulff, opened the Wulff School of Fly Fishing in the Catskills of New York. There, Joan began teaching the art of casting to anglers of all levels from all over the world. She wasn’t just instructing students on how to cast farther or more accurately—she was giving them the tools to feel confident, competent, and connected on the water.

For decades, Joan has been the gold standard in fly casting instruction, developing techniques and teaching methods that remain the foundation of fly fishing education today. Her book, “Joan Wulff’s Fly-Casting Techniques,” is still considered one of the most comprehensive guides on the subject.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Joan Wulff didn’t set out to become a symbol for women in fly fishing. She just loved the sport—and that love propelled her to keep casting, competing, and teaching at the highest levels, whether or not anyone thought she belonged. In doing so, she opened the door for thousands of women to pick up a rod and feel like they belonged, too.

At Casting for Recovery, we see Joan’s legacy every day in the women who show up to our retreats, many of whom have never cast a fly rod before. They may come with fears or doubts—about their bodies after breast cancer, about trying something new, about whether they’re strong enough. But like Joan, they cast anyway. And in that first cast, something shifts. Confidence builds. Joy follows. And the water carries them forward.

Honoring Joan’s Spirit at CfR

Joan Wulff taught us that fly fishing is not just about technique; it’s about freedom. It’s about finding your rhythm, trusting yourself, and knowing that you deserve to take up space in the river and in the world.

We honor Joan Wulff’s incredible contributions to the sport we love and the path she forged for women everywhere.