In Episode 35 of the Level Line Podcast, Tenkara Angler panelist Amanda Hoffner takes the hosting chair for an all-women conversation featuring four incredible anglers from across the country: Auna Kaufmann (Wyoming), Caitlin Costa (Connecticut), and Haley Beaupre & Victoria Hussey (North Carolina).
Together, they cover everything from rod selection and fly tying to women-only tenkara events, conservation policy, mental health in the outdoors, and what makes the tenkara community feel different from the rest of the fly fishing world. A change of pace and genuinely entertaining, this one is worth the full watch & listen. We hope you enjoy this latest episode!
Episode Show Notes & Links:
00:12 – Welcome & Introductions
– Victoria: North Carolina – Victoria’s Bluesky
– Auna: Wyoming – Auna’s Instagram | Artemis Sportswomen
– Haley: North Carolina – Haley’s Instagram
– Caitlin: Connecticut – Caitlin’s Instagram
03:53 – Victoria’s Gear Setup & Why Rod Weight Matters for Women
06:45 – The Fulcrum Problem: Short Arms, Long Rods & Casting Fatigue
08:21 – Auna’s Rod Selections for Wyoming’s large and small waters
12:26 – Haley: Gear Talk & Minimalist Approach
17:57 – Caitlin: Discovering Tenkara Through Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
19:17 – What Caitlin Loves About Tenkara: Packability, Simplicity & the ADHD Factor
20:30 – Connecticut’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Program
21:14 – Feeling Safe, Competent & Welcomed in the Tenkara Community
22:02 – Being a Woman Alone in the Woods
23:25 – Victoria & Haley Planning a Women’s Tenkara Campout in Western NC
26:29 – Auna Announces Women’s Tenkara Event in Wyoming – August 2026
29:40 – Tenkara’s Low Barrier to Entry & High Ceiling for Mastery
30:50 – Caitlin: Nature, Mental Health & Rewriting the Outdoor Narrative
32:32 – Victoria: The Tenkara Community’s Unique, Nerdy, Nurturing Vibe
34:19 – Haley: Why Tenkara Spaces Feel More Inclusive Than Western Fly Fishing Communities
37:20 – Auna: Getting Into Tenkara Without Knowing Anyone Who Fishes It
39:48 – Auna’s Path: Wildlife Ecology, Wyoming Wildlife Federation & Conservation Lobbying
42:56 – Amanda’s Upcoming Women’s Event in New Mexico & Closing Thoughts
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