Instead of plopping in the front seat, curled up with a book, contemplate getting on the river. Ladies please . . . .

A stereotypical sight in the '90s was that of a flyfishing husband plying a little riffle near some low-slung bridge, his bride reading the latest hot-seller on the other side of foggy, tinted glass. In the past few years, though, there's been a tremendous shift in fly- angling demographics.

Women don't rule. Far from it. But they are moving up the ruler. Covers on today's flyfishing mags tell a growing story: you'll be hard pressed to find a stud holding a shimmering steelhead. It's the babes that have taken over those glossy cover-ops.

Face it, a toned woman in the right, bright cutthroat colors looks far more attractive than a hunk and his salmonoid.

Looks aside, most guides and flyshops will tell you it's for real. More and more women are getting into the water with visions of feisty rainbows. And they're doing exceptionally well because they're patient and observant.

Men are rarely both.

And the Crowsnest, with its many female-friendly factors, is an increasingly popular women's playground. Lured by moderate flows, easy wading accessibility, and proximity to pavement, these Crowsnest flyfishers range from beginner to expert in abilities from reading water to deciphering bugs.

It's the Crow that makes it so. One would be hard pressed to find an easier river to read. The Crowsnest is Pure Classic in all aspects from pool to riffle ratios to the sheer number of bugs, wild trout and their holding spots.

Insect life is as varied as the shades of a rainbow and offer tremendous challenges for weekend entomologists. Public access can be found virtually every half mile.

And while seemingly remote, most of the river is within a quick walk to pavement.

An increasing number of women guides are graduating from this first and second wave of interest and some female only programs are offered locally. Check retail fishing outlets or local hosts for details.

For anyone now in the throes of learning, the Crow is most generous during a brief but magical period in June and July when stoneflies hatch by the millions and mayflies wait in preparation. Large dry flies, even those poorly presented, will attract the river's smartest, heftiest rainbows.

Later, come mid-summer's heat and the golden leaves of fall, the Crow's trout become a challenge to behold. It's sip, slurp, sip on the smallest of flies. Almost unseen. A shade of bug color not noticeable to most humans may make the difference between getting lucky and getting nothing.

This is the technical side of the Crow. It's this arena that brings the world's very best anglers to her banks. Nothing then comes easily with these wild, flighty trout. They will leave you spent, day in and day out, swearing that wild trout are smarter than the best equipped humans.

Insane Grey, December 2006