Digital Sportsman and Fishin’ Girl Nation Partner to Empower and Elevate Women Guides and Anglers Nationwide

Panama City, Fla. – (January, 14 2026) – Digital Sportsman and Fishin’ Girl Nation today announced a strategic two-year partnership aimed at supporting women in fishing across the United States. The collaboration will provide women guides, captains, and outdoor operators as well as the broader community of women anglers with access to modern business tools, education, and resources to advance their fishing journey.

The partnership reflects a growing recognition that women are not just participants in the sport—they are leaders, business owners, and ambassadors who are actively shaping the future of fishing in America.

According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), nearly 36% of anglers are women, making them the fastest growing segment in the sport. This partnership builds on that momentum, creating opportunities for women to thrive as both professional guides and as engaged members of the larger fishing community.

Despite that growth, women guides and captains have historically had less access to the business tools, networks, and resources that help outdoor professionals scale and sustain their operations. This partnership is designed to close that gap in a meaningful, practical way.

“Fishin’ Girl Nation is built on connection and support for every woman who loves fishing, no matter where you are or what you fish for,” said Cathy Sanders, founder of Fishin’ Girl Nation and owner of Fishin’ Girl Charters. “With Digital Sportsman, our members and guides get more than a technology platform, they get a true partner who believes in their independence, growth, and the joy of sharing what they love.”

Sanders, who has built Fishin' Girl Nation into one of the most recognized communities for women anglers in the country, sees the partnership as a natural extension of the organization's mission to make fishing more accessible, supportive, and celebratory for women at every level of the sport.

As part of the partnership, Digital Sportsman will provide Fishin’ Girl Nation guides and captains access to modern tools for online booking, business management, websites, and digital marketing. Digital Sportsman will also launch a dedicated Fishin’ Girl Nation–branded page on its DS Discover marketplace, making it easier for members of the Fishin’ Girl Nation community to find and book trips with participating guides, while increasing visibility and direct bookings for women-led fishing businesses.

The branded marketplace page will serve as a dedicated destination where clients can specifically seek out and support women-led fishing businesses, helping to drive more intentional bookings and broader visibility for guides who might otherwise get lost in a crowded market.

Additionally, Digital Sportsman will sponsor select Fishin’ Girl Nation women’s fishing tournaments and on-the-water events in 2026, reinforcing a shared commitment to visibility, community and real-world investment in women-led fishing businesses. Additional event details will be announced in the coming months.

These on-the-water events play a critical role in building community, showcasing talent, and creating networking opportunities for women guides who are growing their businesses and their reputations within the industry.

“This partnership is about giving women guides the same tools, confidence, and control that every successful business owner deserves,” said Michelle Faul, chief marketing officer of Digital Sportsman. “Women anglers want experiences they can trust, and women guides deserve tools that put them in control of their business. By partnering with Fishin’ Girl Nation, we are supporting both sides of that equation in a way that is community-first and built for long-term sustainability.”

Faul emphasized that the partnership is not a one-time initiative but a long-term commitment to showing up consistently for women in the outdoor space—through tools, visibility, and genuine investment in their success.

In connection with the partnership, Digital Sportsman is also introducing Digital Sportswoman, a broader initiative focused on supporting women guides and experience operators by reducing barriers to entry, simplifying business operations, and fostering community-driven growth. Through partnerships like this one, Digital Sportswoman aims to help women build confidence and sustainable businesses while maintaining full ownership and control.

The initiative recognizes that many women entering the guide and outfitter space face unique challenges, from navigating male-dominated marinas to building client trust from scratch. Digital Sportswoman aims to address those challenges directly by pairing the right technology with a community that genuinely has their back.

Together, Digital Sportsman and Fishin' Girl Nation are setting a new standard for partnership in the outdoor industry—one rooted in collaboration, reinvestment, and deep respect for the women who are shaping the future of fishing. As the sport continues to grow and diversify, partnerships like this one serve as a reminder that when women are given the right tools and the right support, there is no limit to what they can build.