RWONWF: Power Of The Pink Rod

Editor’s note: This December marked our 7th Annual Real Women of Northwest Fishing feature! Once again, we turned the issue over to the women and girls who are quietly and very successfully joining the ranks of Washington, Oregon and Idaho fishers, making Northwest anglerdom all the stronger. And as we do each year, we share their stories and photos on our blog. Enjoy this year’s edition of Northwest Sportsman’s Real Women of Northwest Fishing! 7th-annual-real-women-logo

By Troy Rodakowski

She has this pink rod and I believe it’s magical. I witnessed it first-hand on a trip with her – guess which one of our rods went off? Yep, Vicki Tindall’s hot pink one.

“I don’t ever remember a time when my family didn’t hunt and fish growing up. I always loved helping my dad gut anything he killed. Fish, deer, elk – it didn’t matter, I loved being there and watching my dad,” recalls the Springfield resident.

Good thing, too, since her father was a fishing guide on the Umpqua and McKenzie Rivers for many years. Tindall has endured struggles in her life, with family members abusing drugs, and the loss of her grandmother and father very recently, but fishing is what has kept her grounded and alive inside.

(TROY RODAKOWSKI)
(TROY RODAKOWSKI)

Tindall’s become good friends with local guide Guy Springman and they’ve spent countless hours on the water fishing together. Both have been good therapy for one another through tough times and losing close family members.

“In spring we decided to do the Scappoose Bay fishing derby. I was super excited, and Guy came over with a present – a hot pink fishing rod! I couldn’t wait to fish with this new rod. It has caught a crazy amount of fish, and it saved me from dying inside,” she says.

Fishing is more than, well, just fishing for Vicki Tindall. Her favorite moments on the water?

“I think seeing someone catch a fish for the first time is very special, and just being around to help is rewarding,” she says.

“Of course, catching fish always makes me happy, especially when it’s given me a great fight.”

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