Honoring Pudge
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend, Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf. Pudge was an incredible person who touched the lives of so many in the fly fishing community and beyond. Her legacy as a pioneer of women's fly fishing and her dedication to conservation will continue to inspire us all.
Pudge was a pioneer of women's fly fishing who left an indelible mark on the sport. Throughout her life, she faced countless challenges and barriers as a woman in a male-dominated sport. But she never let those obstacles dampen her spirit or diminish her passion for fly fishing. Instead, she blazed a trail for other women to follow, showing them that with hard work and dedication, they too could achieve their dreams and succeed in a sport that was once reserved only for men.
“It was another woman who first put a fly rod in my hand and showed me how to catch sockeye salmon on Alaska’s famous Russian river. Then she referred me on to a guy she knew that taught fly fishing. She got me hooked, and he went from there. Thereafter, I fished with a fly rod every chance I got. Everywhere I fished, it seemed, there’d be women asking me to teach them or to take them fly fishing, Pretty soon I did, and my business, Women’s Flyfishing® was born.” - Pudge
Pudge’s impact on fly fishing was immeasurable. She was a trailblazer, a mentor, a teacher, and a friend to countless women who wanted to learn more about the sport. She helped to create a community of women fly fishers who shared her love of the water and the fish that called it home. And she worked tirelessly to preserve the environment that made fly fishing possible in the first place. In 1993, Pudge founded the Women's Flyfishing School in Alaska. The school provided women with a supportive and inclusive environment in which to learn and grow as fly fishers. Her work with Women's Flyfishing helped to open doors for women in the sport. Many of the women who attended the school went on to become accomplished anglers and guides in their own right. Kleinkauf's efforts also helped to raise awareness of the unique challenges that women face in the sport, and paved the way for other women to make their mark in the fly fishing world.
In addition to creating Women’s Flyfishing, Pudge was also an experienced author in the angling community. Her many books and articles were not only informative, but also empowering. She recognized that many women felt excluded from the traditionally male-dominated sport of fly fishing, and sought to break down those barriers by providing accessible information and encouragement to anyone entering the sport.
Pudge’s contributions to conservation were equally significant. As an advocate for the environment, she worked tirelessly to protect Alaska's wild rivers and fisheries, both through her own efforts and by inspiring others to get involved. She understood that protecting the natural world was not only critical for the survival of the fish but also for the well-being of future generations.
Her legacy continues to inspire women and men alike to pursue their passions and to make a positive impact on the world. Her work has helped to make fly fishing more inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, or background. And her dedication to conservation has reminded us all of the importance of protecting the waters for future generations.
We are all better for having known Pudge Kleinkauf, and we will never forget the incredible impact that she had on our lives and on the sport that we all love. Let us honor her memory by continuing to fish with passion, to protect the environment that sustains us, and to always remember the incredible legacy of this remarkable woman who changed the world of fly fishing forever.
