I was recently asked about the new boating regulation changes and how the changes would affect the average weekend warrior operating on the waterways around U.S and Canada. Although I really didn’t feel I knew the full answer to what the new rules were, I set out to find some of the answers.

It seemed that it was not going to be a quick and easy answer to my quest. There were regulations changing everywhere. In the U.S. it would depend on the state that you were in to follow the change that had already taken place or was going to take place. Canada had also set its own standard to be followed and by September 2009 full licensing will be required.

I found the following information on the website of www.boaterexam.com and it was extremely helpful. I also found that the site itself was also very user friendly. I would highly recommend that you investigate your own country or state regulations through Boater Exam.

Boating Licenses ARE available for the following areas and I would suggest that you take the opportunity to purchase yours online. You will have immediate access to having your license and making sure that you are meeting the requirements for your area.

To find out more about your Canadian Licenses:
http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/

U.S States information and licensing can be found at: http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/

For the following states: Alabama Alaska California Colorado Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Indiana Kansas Kentucky Mississippi Montana Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota
Tennessee Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming

Remember to stay safe! Happy boating!

Almost 10 years ago I met a man that would change my life forever. Our very first date he went on and on about fishing and possibly one day even fish professionally on the Bassmaster's "Circuit". I really didn't understand how he could want something so badly, or be so passionate about something as silly as fishing, but this would soon change.


He took me out ice fishing, which was actually quite comical, since I hated snow, never fished and didn't properly dress for the event. However, once he realized he made sure that he provided a snow suit and proper snowmobile gear and we headed out to the ice hut.


I actually ended up catching my very first fish, a jumbo Perch 14 ½" long and 11 ¾ inch girth. This gave me bragging rights for the day... and I was hooked.


We entered a fishing derby and again I out fished my boyfriend and his fishing buddy. I think it was beginners luck, but it made the man that I eventually marry decide that he wanted me as his new fishing partner, and not his long time fishing friend.


I would have to say that I finally found my true passion in my life. Although it was absent for the first 40 years, I know it will be with me for the next 40. I love to Fish, I Love to be outside, and I am passionate that fishing can change your life.


Fishing has opened up a whole new world not only for me but for my children and now grandchildren.

I want to take my passion and make others realize what they are also missing.


In January 2003 my sister was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 43, she proceeded to have a mastectomy and followed it with intensive Chemotherapy, it was an extremely difficult time for her and our family.


Along with a lot of other stresses in my life it caught up to me by August 2003. I was in desperate need of a retreat, which I called my nervous breakdown. While at my retreat to the cottage, I was standing doing the dishes and the television was on in the background. Oprah was actually on and for 5 minutes I stood and listened to what she had to say. Those 5 minutes changed my life forever.


She said, "I get it, if you take something that you are passionate about and you find a way to make a difference with it, then you couldn't possibly not be successful'.


I left the cottage, went out to the hammock and questioned myself as to "What was my Passion?" What was it that I really wanted to do? What if today was my last day on earth, then how would I want to spend it? At then it came to me "If it was my last day on earth, I would want to be out fishing in the pedal boat that my friend was fishing from, reflect on my life and then come in and spend the last hours with my family.


I then realized that I was truly passionate about Fishing if I wanted to make sure I was doing it on my last living day, but that wouldn't be enough to make a difference.


A couple weeks earlier, I had painted my fishing rod with my pink nail polish. It was sitting up beside the cottage. As I looked at my pink rod, I reflected about everything that my sister had just gone through and I wondered if somehow I could connect the two. Maybe I could contribute money from the sales of a Pink fishing Rod. That would surely make a difference.


I started to investigate products made for women in the Sporting goods industry and realized that it was extremely limited. I also researched about the market and was totally shocked that over 17 Million licensed anglers were females. And here I thought that I was alone.


Quickly I put together a business plan and founded my new venture a company called FisherGirl in Sept.03. It only seemed fitting since my now husband had been calling me his little fishergirl for years. I tried to find manufacturers and then decided to headed over to China instead. Working with the engineers we designed rods with lighter and smaller handles in "Girl" colors.

In Feb. 2005 we finally brought our products out to the marketplace, and offered a variety of fishing rods and equipment for the female angler of any age. We also had a special Pink rod raising funds for Breast Cancer, so I really was making a difference.


At our very first tradeshow the Wal-Mart sporting goods buyer approached us and he was interested in our products. We met with him the following week and started a test store May 8, 2005 in our hometown. July saw another milestone when we attended the ICAST show in Las Vegas and Won the best Rod and Reel Combo for New Products. The business was taking off very nicely.


In Sept. 2007 I decided to sell majority share of FisherGirl. It was an extremely difficult time in my life and I was pulled between wanting to pursue my true passion (Fishing), and the struggle of running a corporation that required a lot of attention and funding. I believed that it was in the best interest of FisherGirl to have strong management, and people that understood the potential of FisherGirl and the vision that I saw to make a difference.


This allowed me the time it takes to pursue my passion tournament fishing. My husband was now laughing as he stood in front of the stage taking photos of me standing on stage at the Women's Bassmasters "Circuit". My husband reminded me. "It didn't seem that long ago, that I had the dream to do what you are doing". As I said, "The only one you have to blame is yourself". If he hadn't been such a great teacher, he might have had the time to actually fish the circuit himself.


Not only did I get to go out and fish on the WBT Bassmasters tour, U.S. Angler Choice series and others. I also was able to put together the First International Women's Fishing Team, consisting of 10 female anglers that took the stage many times and ended up with the Angler of the year award.


Women are becoming involved in fishing, it's a reality, whether it is by themselves or with their families for recreation they are going out and finding waterways to fish on. Who would have thought that women would actually have the opportunity to go out and fish professionally? Females are increasing their membership numbers yearly. Its time the sporting goods industry realize the potential marketplace and start producing products gear for them.


I am working on a number of projects, and the one that is closest to my heart is Womenfishing.com. I look forward to sharing my experiences.

Terri