Captain Elaine Supp grew up immersed in the outdoors—camping, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, farming, golfing, and waterskiing—and has always been drawn to the water. As a child, fishing was often less about technique and more about time spent on the boat with her father, complete with doughnuts for breakfast. While they didn’t always know what they were doing, Elaine never passed up the opportunity to go.
After college, years of moving for work and juggling multiple jobs pulled her away from the outdoor lifestyle she loved. In 2012, a camping trip with friends—paired with renting a boat—reignited that passion and made it clear something had been missing. At the time, she lived just 15 minutes south of Oneida Lake. Shortly after returning home, she purchased her first boat, a 16’ Crestliner, and from that point on spent as much time on the water as possible. Though still learning, she was catching fish and rediscovering her sense of purpose.
Elaine quickly came to appreciate New York as a hidden gem of fisheries, fishing throughout the Adirondacks, the St. Lawrence River, the Finger Lakes, and countless trout streams in between. In 2014, she moved north to the Salmon River and Eastern Lake Ontario region, where she found herself immersed in salmon fishing, kayak fishing, and exploring inland lakes and streams inaccessible to motorized boats. She also embraced ice fishing during the winter months, further expanding her outdoor skill set.
Throughout this journey, Elaine frequently heard others say, “I wish I could fish like that,” or “I’ve always wanted to learn how to fish there.” She realized many people never take the first step simply because they don’t have someone to show them how. That realization led to the creation of Fish Girl Outdoors, a platform designed to share her fishing experiences and inspire others to get outside and explore the water with confidence.
In 2018, Elaine began fishing Lake Ontario with Dirty Goose Sportfishing, assisting with youth tournaments and crewing on weekends. Wanting to further her knowledge and independence on the lake, she earned her Captain’s License in 2022 and upgraded to a 31’ Tiara Open. In 2024, she began chartering full time as the captain of her own business, Pura Vida Charters.
Today, Elaine shares her passion for fishing every day, helping others experience the same sense of fulfillment and connection to the outdoors that first drew her back to the water.
Elaine's Favorite Gear