Mindful Fishing - Christine Lapeer
- New Wave Fishing Academy
- 39 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Women That Fish
The fishing industry needs more women that fish! Women who fish now are exceptional role models for the next generation women of fishing - and we want to celebrate that! Meet today's fishing ladies as part of the Women In Angling blog series.
Christine Lapeer
This weeks Women In Angling feature female angler is Christine Lapeer! Christine is not only a fishing enthusiast but is the founder of Mindful Fishing which is an innovative and positive impacting initiative for first responders. Find out more from Christine herself:
"My name is Christine, and I’m originally from Kingston, where I had the privilege of growing up on the shores of Lake Ontario. Today, I’m fortunate to live on the serene Charleston Lake, just north of Brockville, Ontario.
Mindful Fishing
As a retired psychiatric nurse, I spent many years working within the Federal Penitentiary
system, where I held various roles, including crisis negotiator and Team Leader of the acute
mental health unit. I also worked closely with the Mobile Crisis Response Team, collaborating
with the police, as well as in several other mental health settings. Unfortunately, the demands and trauma of my career led to my developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Determined to heal, I explored many treatment options, including medications, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and psychotherapy. It was during in this journey that I discovered the power of fishing. It was the first time my brain was silenced. I quickly realized how therapeutic fishing could be, not only for me but for others, particularly First Responders. After all, these are the individuals who, day in and day out, care for others during some of the most difficult and stressful moments. If those who serve us are healthy and supported, it benefits the entire community. This realization inspired me to create "Mindful Fishing" a program designed to use fishing as a form of therapy, with an emphasis on mindfulness and being present in the moment.
Fishing has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I fished with my father, but as my career and family life took precedence, I lost touch with it. I often wonder how different my journey might have been had I maintained this connection to nature throughout my stressful career. Perhaps I wouldn’t have suffered the consequences of trauma. That said, I’m incredibly grateful to now live on a beautiful, expansive lake, in close proximity to the stunning Rideau Canal system and the St. Lawrence River. It’s the perfect setting to offer First Responders the opportunity to fish year-round, whether by boat, from the shoreline, or even on the ice. I focus primarily on species that are easier to catch, such as panfish, pike, and bass. The goal is to give participants that immediate sense of connection to the water — the tug on the line — and allow them to experience the healing power of fishing in a relaxed, fun environment.
Over the last six years, developing Mindful Fishing has been incredibly rewarding, though not without its challenges. In addition to group events, I offer one-on-one sessions, taking individuals out on the water for a more personal experience. Unfortunately, as a woman in this field, I’ve encountered situations that forced me to change the way I operate. I’ve had men attempt to cross professional boundaries while alone on a boat, and I’ve received inappropriate comments that undermined my credibility as an angler. This experience has taught me the importance of being selective about who I take out, prioritizing safety planning, and performing background checks before meeting new participants. I would advise any woman in a similar position to take time to get to know the individual before heading out, and always ensure someone else knows your plans. A little extra planning can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.
Despite these challenges, I’m incredibly proud of what Mindful Fishing has become. In addition to my ongoing work with First Responders, I host events like the annual bass derby on Charleston Lake each September. In this fun tournament, volunteer anglers pair up with First Responders for a day on the water. We wrap up the event with a BBQ, creating a casual setting where participants can bond and strengthen the relationship between anglers and First Responders. Additionally, I hold an annual Ice Fishing event on a private lake owned by Queen’s University. This event provides an opportunity for First Responders to try ice fishing, with the help of local volunteers. This year, we had 50 participants, and it continues to be a highlight for everyone involved.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about what the future holds for Mindful Fishing. This May, I’ve been invited to speak at the Ontario Biodiversity Symposium, hosted by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. The theme of the event, “Healthy Landscapes, Healthy People: Bridging Biodiversity and Human Health,” aligns perfectly with my vision for the program. I’m also collaborating with a director from the Canadian Film Board to create a documentary titled Silent Waters, which aims to showcase the therapeutic benefits of fishing and promote its recognition as a valid form of therapy within the medical community. The film will be filmed over the course of all four seasons and is set to be released next year.
I can’t emphasize enough how beneficial fishing is for our minds, bodies, and overall well-being. It’s a therapeutic activity that can be enjoyed by anyone — of any age, ability, or budget. And it’s adaptable to so many different needs. My ultimate dream is to grow the number of people who fish, so we can create healthier individuals who are also invested in conserving our precious
natural resources.
If you have any questions or suggestions for how to get more people involved in fishing, don’t
hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at mindfulfishing@gmail.com, or find me on Instagram @mindfulfishing and Facebook under my name, Christine Lapeer."
We would like to thank Christine for taking the time to share her story as well as all the positive impact she has made through her work with Mindful Fishing. Be sure to connect with her and follow along on her journey. We are excited to see all that she is able to accomplish in the future.
Women Who Love Fishing
Thank you fishing ladies! All the women of fishing who has participated in the "Women in Angling" blog series as well as everyone who reads, likes, or shares the profiles is contributing to making the sport more inclusive.
If you know women who love fishing, is a great ambassador for Women In Angling, or simply the outdoors lifestyle, that deserves to be recognized please reach out to us on any of our social media platforms so we can get in touch with them.
Women And Fishing Resources
Additional "women and fishing" resources and links for female fishing enthusiasts to connect:
Fishing For Women
New Wave Fishing Academy is an educational platform for the recreational fishing industry that allows everyone to learn how to catch fish; virtually. Not catching fish on outings is a sure way to keep new anglers from coming back to the sport BUT most who go fishing have no idea where to start or how to find success without HOURS of trial and error on the water that nobody has. Before you ever get to the water you can learn how to turn fishing trips into catching trips with our online fishing educational resources.
Click the link to Learn How To Fish!
To experience a day of fishing on the water with us be sure to check out our YouTube channel at the link below.
Women In Angling History
When New Wave Fishing Academy was started it was based around the mission of helping everyone become more successful anglers and especially those who do not have the family, friends, or easily accessible opportunities to push them into the sport! From critics online challenging their skills as anglers, to talking down or belittling their accomplishments, there are a lot of unnecessary hurdles for women and young girls to get into fishing. These hurdles are not set up by those that represent the majority of the members in the industry but unfortunately they are often the loudest voice.
To combat this we started the "Women In Angling" blog series in 2022 to celebrate the women who love fishing, highlight female ambassadors and role models for the sport of fishing, and share their stories for those that just need a little push or someone to look towards to get into this sport we all love!
To read all of the amazing Women In Angling profiles click the link below:
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