Britain's oldest fly fishing club that counts King Charles as the patron faces calls to allow women in for the first time ever.
The calls come after exclusive men's club The Garrick Club decided earlier this month to change its 193-year-old men-only policy and allow women to join.
The Flyfishers' Club was founded in 1884 and describes itself as a club for gentlemen interested in the art of fly fishing, currently with approximately 600 members.
There is a male-only guest policy, except for events.
But two avid fly fishing enthusiasts have challenged the policy by publicly criticizing it as outdated.
The Flyfishers' Club was founded in 1884 and describes itself as a club for gentlemen interested in the art of fly fishing, with approximately 600 current members (stock photo)
It's Britain's oldest fly-fishing club and even counts King Charles (pictured in 2021) as its patron
King Charles is known as a keen fisherman and took his sons on several fishing trips during the royal family's summer holiday in Scotland
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, fished with Prince Harry at Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate during a family picnic in the summer of 1993
Marina Gibson, a fly-fishing instructor and guide, and Lucy Mantle, the chairman and co-founder of fly-fishing organization City Flickers, have called on the club to embrace change.
Mrs Gibson, who started fishing at the age of five and has written a book about her passion for fly fishing, said she would 'absolutely love' to join The Flyfishers' Club.
She said at an event at the Hay Festival: “I don't go to London that often, but if I did I would just like to sit down and read a book and talk to other fishermen about fishing.” The Telegraph.
Ms Mantle posted on her Instagram an open letter to the club's chairman, which said: 'In light of the recent press releases regarding the Garrick Club, I thought the timing might be right to express my concerns.
'I am of course aware that the club was founded in 1884 as a 'gentleman's club for fly fishermen', but it now seems increasingly anachronistic and archaic to continue to ban women, given the enormous social changes that have taken place.
“There are many of us – both men and women – who view the policy as indefensible, unsustainable and, above all, unwise for a whole host of reasons.”
Previous members of the club include author David Profumo, son of 1960s sex scandal Tory minister John, and TV's Loyd Grossman (stock image)
King Charles fished at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire in May 1984
She said there was a widespread misconception that fly fishing was for 'old folks' or rich, older men in Britain.
She also said she was skeptical that the exclusion of women is the position of the majority of members.
Finally, she added, “Most female anglers I know have the exact same passion and knowledge of fly fishing as many leading current members.
'I'm sure this problem has happened several times. But, as the Garrick experience has shown, it won't go away and momentum is building. Please help do the right thing. And yes, I would have liked to participate.'
Alastair Collett, chairman of the club, told The Telegraph that the matter was under review and may be put to a membership vote.
The case was last discussed by the general committee in 2013 as members met to discuss how it would deal with the Equality Act.
The club's president said the matter is under review and may be voted on
King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, looks at a fishing magazine during a visit to Braunton in North Devon in 2012
But at the time, it was not voted on and the men-only rule remained.
Previous members of the club include author David Profumo, son of 1960s sex scandal Tory minister John, and TV's Loyd Grossman.
King Charles is known as an avid fisherman and took his sons on several fishing trips during the royal family's summer holidays in Scotland.
The club has had several homes over its 140 years of existence, but is now based at the Savile Club in Mayfair.
The row over The Flyfishers' Club membership rules is not the first gender issue to surface in the fishing community recently.
In 2020 the BBC Europe editor Katya Adler was ridiculed for referring to 'fishermen' instead of 'fishermen' during a package on Brexit talks.
In 2020, BBC Europe editor Katya Adler (pictured) was ridiculed for referring to “fishermen” instead of “fishermen” during a package on Brexit talks
Critics at the time said those working in the boating industry were overwhelmingly men, pointing to a study showing only 2.7 percent were women.
Piers Morgan criticized the use of the word and lashed out at the BBC when he said on Good Morning Britain at the time: 'Here's the thing, it's a rough old job, on the trawler boats on the rough high seas.
“I've never seen a woman do that on a trawler boat.”
Last February, another fight broke out when singer Sam Smith claimed they dreamed of becoming a 'fisher-them' on BBC's The One Show.
The non-binary pop star, who uses the pronouns they/them, was asked about their fishing hobby before correcting a presenter who appeared to be 'misgendering' them by asking if they wanted to be a 'fly fisherman'.
Ms Gibson said she was perfectly happy with the continued use of fishermen instead of fishermen.
Last February, another row broke out when singer Sam Smith claimed they dreamed of becoming a 'fisher-them' on BBC's The One Show.
The non-binary pop star (pictured at the 2023 Brit Awards), who uses the pronouns they/them, was asked about their fishing hobby before correcting a presenter who appeared to 'misgender' them by asking if they would like to be a presenter . 'Fly fisherman'
Meanwhile, pressure on The Flyfishers' Club to admit women could continue to increase, in a similar way to what happened to The Garrick Club.
The gentlemen's club's landmark decision to admit women came after celebrities including Stephen Fry and Sting threatened to leave the club unless the policy was changed.
Top civil servant Simon Case and MI6 boss Sir Richard Moore resigned from the club after their names were published on a leaked membership list.
The Garrick's 1,300 members, including King Charles, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and actor Hugh Bonneville, voted 60 percent in favor of the change in May.