Women, Whiskers and a Welcome Change

By Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor

Ask anyone who’s spent time on the water with a dedicated female angler, and they’ll tell you: fishing with women isn’t just fun. It can completely change the experience. That’s exactly what contributor Terry Madewell will explore in his article this month, and it’s a theme we see echoed again and again in the catfish community.

This special July issue of CatfishNOW is all about celebrating women who enjoy chasing whiskerfish as much as the guys do. The passion, grit and perspective they bring to the sport aren’t just refreshing. They’re redefining the landscape of modern catfishing.

Take Katie Allen, for example. She’s a dental assistant from Knoxville, Tennessee, who stumbled into the catfishing world not through family tradition or long-time ambition, but through a chance meeting with a catfishing YouTuber. From that first tug on the line to wrangling a 52-pound blue cat, Katie has embraced every challenge with enthusiasm. She’s living proof that anyone with the will to learn—and the patience to listen to a good teacher—can find themselves hooked for life.

Katie’s story, captured beautifully by Richard Simms, reminds us that the catfishing journey isn’t always about where you start, but where the tug on the line takes you. From skipping bait across the surface for skipjacks to studying lake maps and teaching her daughter the ropes, Katie is climbing the learning curve one cast at a time and enjoying every step.

Then there’s Jaylynn Parker who landed a 101.11-pound blue catfish at just 15 years old. Her story, told by Anietra Hamper, is one that shook the catfishing world, and not just because of the fish’s sheer size. Jaylynn used jug lines during a flood-swollen spring, and while the catch was certified and celebrated, it also sparked debate within the angling community. But through it all, this Ohio teenager held her head high.

Jaylynn’s journey didn’t end with a record; it sparked a mission. She’s used her platform to inspire younger anglers, especially girls, and launched her own social media presence to share her outdoor adventures. She’s a reminder that fishing teaches lessons far beyond the water’s edge—about resilience, confidence and using your voice even when others question your methods.

As editor, I’ve spent decades chronicling the joys of catfishing and the people who live for it. But rarely have I been more inspired than when reading the stories in this issue. They reflect not only personal growth and passion, but the broader truth that fishing, especially catfishing, is no longer a boys’ club. It belongs to everyone.

We’re seeing more women showing up at the boat ramps, walking riverbanks with rods in hand and launching their own bait businesses or social media channels. And that’s not just good for the sport; it’s necessary for its future. When fishing is more inclusive, it becomes richer, more vibrant and more fun.

So, whether you’re a father taking your daughter out for the first time, a couple discovering a shared love for chasing blues and flatheads or a solo angler casting for peace of mind, this issue is for you. Here’s to the women who are out there setting hooks, setting records and setting new standards, one fish at a time.

Tight lines! I’ll see you downstream.

Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor