SHANGHAI — In her hat, mask, long pants, and long sleeves to shield herself from the sun, 30-year-old Chen Yawen doesn’t fit the image many in China have of an angler.

But beside a pond at a “fishing experience center” in downtown Shanghai, she assembled her black Shimano brand fishing rod with the precision of a professional, threading the line and carefully selecting a lure.

“I see fishing as a way to relieve stress and relax my mind,” Chen tells Sixth Tone. “Just like fitness, it’s a lifestyle.”

Fishing has surged in popularity among young urban Chinese people in recent years due to the increased popularity of outdoor exercise, increasingly affordable equipment, and because it fits a desire for a slower, more meditative way of life.

Women are increasingly joining in too. On the lifestyle app Xiaohongshu, posts and videos carrying the tag “female lure anglers” and “female anglers” have been viewed over 73 million times.

The share of female members of the Shanghai fishing center frequented by Chen has steadily risen to around one-quarter, according to venue manager Xu Chuanyu. The center, which boasts a five-acre pond and a pavilion for anglers to relax, is an alternative to urban rivers, where fishing is often restricted.

After half an hour of persistence, Chen reeled in a wriggling white and yellow bass. Adhering to the “catch and release” ethos of fishing with a lure — typically a fish-shaped rubber bait — Chen gently returned the animal to the water.

Discussing her lure choices as she readied herself for the weekly expedition, Chen says, “In clearer waters, I prefer natural hues to avoid startling the fish.”

This more environmentally-aware approach is a key factor behind the surge in the gentle pastime’s popularity in recent years, she says, while women have also been reeled in by posts about the sport on social media.

The visibility of fishing as a hobby among Chinese women has been boosted by singer and actor Yu Shuxin, an enthusiast since childhood who often shares images of herself catching fish at sea. On one Chinese chat show appearance, She boasted of fishing from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during an overseas trip. The hobby “builds patience,” she said.

Women reveal in online posts that fishing is about the excitement of the chase, as well as the sense of achievement that comes with mastering a challenging sport and following a passion — even when that means going against some traditional gender expectations.

“Farewell to elegance, cutting your hair short for convenience, and not being able to have long nails as they would interfere with casting and tying line,” reads a post on Xiaohongshu by one female fishing enthusiast. “Standing by the water brings me joy, standing by the water sets me free,” reads another.

There has been a “significant” rise in women taking up sea angling, Qiao Yu, who runs a fishing center in the coastal province of Shandong, tells Sixth Tone. Many women are now professional-level anglers who spend eight hours or more fishing per trip, he says.

But in addition to the risks from mosquito bites and harsh weather conditions, women can face social judgment for their choice of pastime.

Chen says she has observed many malicious comments under posts about women fishing, criticizing female anglers’ attire or fishing techniques. “This is all part of the stereotyping of the sport,” she says.

Wang Yi, a 30-year-old from Beijing, took up fishing in 2022 and now goes weekly. “I used to view fishing as a passive activity involving waiting around,” she recalls. “But with lure fishing, the active pursuit of fish is what truly captivates me.”

Wang says she often sees teasing and skepticism directed toward female anglers online. Commenters question their expertise and authenticity, with some insinuating that they are merely chasing social media clout.

“While women may sometimes face challenges in terms of physical strength and endurance compared to men,” she explains, “there are no significant differences in skill and passion.”

One way that women are establishing themselves is through competition.

The “Radar Auto Cup” run by the Chinese Angling Association (CAA), a top event for the sport in China which offers prizes of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400), introduced a new award for the Best Female Angler this year.

Li Yilin, a 26-year-old who started fishing in Shanghai a few months ago, aspires to achieve the title of “Best Female Angler” one day — although so far the only prize she has won was for catching the smallest fish on a recent group trip.

Mastering the pastime requires a lot of self-study. “It was quite difficult at the beginning because fishing involves a broad range of knowledge, including understanding fish species, characteristics, weather conditions, environment, and equipment selection — all of which need to be learned step by step,” Li says.

Li pushes back against the misconception that fishing is a leisurely pastime. “Constant casting and movement make lure fishing more exhausting than other outdoor activities I’ve participated in,” she says.

The hobby’s rise in China has also been fueled by the increasing quality of affordable, well-made fishing gear from domestic companies like Guangwei and Barfilon.

Due to hundreds of new companies entering the market, fierce competition is prompting some brands to offer products specifically aimed at women, sometimes in bright pink and purple colors, in an attempt to stand out.

Yan Dao, a manager at a fishing tackle shop in Beijing advises against such divisions.

“Understanding fish behavior is crucial for any angler, regardless of gender,” he says. “Fish do not distinguish between male and female anglers.”

Additional reporting: Guo Yishun; editor: Tom Hancock.

(Header image: Lure fishing at Luobu Lake in Bazhou, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2020. VCG)