It was during their travels in Montana that Karen and Peter purchased two handmade wooden drift boats. Both were shipped back to Australia and used extensively in the couple’s guiding business, drifting Tasmania’s rivers. The couple also owned and ran Driftwater Lodge near Deloraine for eight years, an experience Karen recalls as “very rewarding.”

“Fly fishing takes you to the most beautiful places.”

“We hosted many people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world [at Driftwater], and were able to show them a little of what the Tasmanian fishery has to offer: wild brown trout in a truly wild environment,” she says. “After sharing experiences on the river, dining together and building relationships, our guests would leave as friends.” The couple recently sold Driftwater, and now Karen is focusing on her guiding business and resuming her competition fishing schedule. She also adds that while fly fishing is seeing more female Australian anglers join its ranks, female guides are still a rarity. “Overall, I do see a growth in women fly fishing – from my early days on the river when I would never see another female angler – to today where we see much greater participation.”

While the numbers are steadily growing, there’s no question that being a guide is a life decision that’s best made with eyes wide open. It’s not an easy career, even for those at the top of their game. “Guiding is a very rewarding profession,” notes Karen. “It’s also hard work and long hours; it can be challenging and exhausting, but you’re working in the best office you could imagine. It’s easy to love what you do.” For women interested in a career as a guide, she advises being well-prepared to teach and instruct, and notes that becoming a certified casting instructor is a valuable step for teaching casting. But for Karen, there’s no better office than the rivers of Tasmania.