North America’s Largest Women’s Social Outdoor Adventure Group Turns 25

Whenever Sisters gather—in a national park, a forest campground or a rancher’s meadow (with permission), they get a warm welcome. Debra Bolnick (owner of Rowdy Ranch) and Krista Cartwright wave to arriving Sisters. | Photo: David Foxhoven

It all began (in 1999) when two real-life sisters—Maurrie Sussman and Rebecca Clarke—were fly-fishing on the Madison River (near Yellowstone National Park in Montana), one of the most celebrated fishing rivers in America. They were happily drinking a glass of wine in celebration of having caught an eight-pound brown trout and thought it would be so much fun to share the experience with friends. The group grew to a dozen members—and then 100, and then 1,000. And this is how Sisters on the Fly was born.

Now numbering more than 23,000 members (ranging in age from 30-something to over 70) with chapters in every state and Canada, Sisters on the Fly is the largest women’s social outdoor adventure group in North America. “Our motto is: We have more fun than anyone,” says Sussman. They gather in groups from 10 campers to more than 400. On the Oregon coast, in the Grand Tetons, along the Santa Fe Trail, in Texas Hill Country, on the shores of Lake Michigan, on Georgia’s Tybee Island or driving Route 66. “Sometimes we camp in a national park, sometimes— with permission—in a rancher’s meadow,” says Sussman. “As long as there’s a stream nearby, we are happy.”

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Most of the women have trailers, although it is not a requirement. Some prefer new ones, but most opt for vintage. Sussman started collecting trailers decades ago and has renovated more than 40—for herself, for friends and for women who have since become friends. She still has her very first trailer: a 1958 Holiday called Lucy. “She was trashed when I saw her,” she says, “but when I walked inside … it was instant love.”

She looks for trailers from the 1950s and 1960s because they can still be affordable and have “good bones,” but before she buys, she makes sure the frame is structurally sound. “It is difficult and costly to fix the twisted frame of a trailer that’s been flipped blown over in the wind,” she says. She also cautions to stay away from any trailer that’s been rain damaged. “The internal structure of vintage trailers is made of wood, so if the wood is rotting, you’ll have to rebuild the entire trailer, and that’s costly,” she adds.’

Many Sisters enjoy channeling their “inner cowgirl” when decorating their vintage trailers. Here: the dinette has a retro theme—a vintage tablecloth, bark cloth curtains and suitcases (great for storage) decoupaged with cowgirl decals. | Photo: David Foxhoven

Next comes the fun part: choosing a name for the trailer. Calamity Jane, Mustang Sally and Prairie Rose are popular, but others include Glitter, The Bunkhouse, and Cowgirl’s Place. Members of Sisters on the Fly enjoy a play on words: Belle on Wheels, Porta Party, Patiwagon and Pair A Dice are some examples. One Sister calls her trailer The Ant’s Bed Lodge because “whenever you have an outdoor gathering, the ants come.”

According to Sussman, once you choose a name, the decorating— inside and out—just seems to fall into place. “It is like decorating a life-size doll house,” she says. Many Sisters like the cowgirl-Western theme— horses, boots, saddles and anything with fringe. Others (particularly the vintage Airstream owners) prefer sleek and modern. Still others go for that 1950s look—polished aluminum, varnished plywood and turquoise Formica countertops. How much is too much? “Hitch your trailer up and take it for a drive. Everything that ends up on the floor is too much,” Sussman says with a smile.

Warm red pillows and some of Becky Clarke’s (she’s Sister #2) cute cowgirl boots decorate the sleeping area of her trailer. | Photo: David Foxhoven

Sisters pose beside a horse-themed trailer. | Photo: David Foxhoven

Colorful and comfortable cushions decorate the dinette in this Western-themed trailer. Barbed wire, vintage leather gloves and faux cowhide create a Yellowstone vibe. Sisters enjoy finding collectibles—useful or simply cute—for their décor. | Photo: David Foxhoven

Mary Jane Butters cooks dinner in the teardrop she originally designed for Robert Redford. | Photo: David Foxhoven

Bold red, white and black diner décor influenced the interior design of this trailer—called The Ant Bed Lodge. | Photo: David Foxhoven