Passing On Your Passion

By Sharon Lance

Hello Fellow Colorado Trout Unlimited members and trout anglers across the state.

I would like you to consider sharing your passion of fly-fishing. I know, I know...you don’t get enough time to fish as it is, but please think about it.  We are all so passionate about the sport; it is difficult for us to share sometimes. Often, we are accused of being addicted or obsessed with our sport (this is true, for me, at least). But isn’t it important, especially to many of you who have been fly fishing for 30, 40, 50+ years, to share your passion with your children, your grandchildren, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, other members of your Trout Unlimited chapter, or anyone else who is willing to learn?

Often I need to fish by myself to release stress, but sometimes, after I have caught a few fish, I am able to consider helping others (not always, depending on the amount of stress I need to work out). Come on, really, do you need to catch 30 fish per day? I don’t think so. Share your fly with the guy next to you who is having a difficult time and has been watching you catch fish after fish. You don’t need to give a clinic every time you go fishing to prove you are “macho” or to show everyone on the river how great a fisherman you are. Some of the best fly fishermen I know are the most humble.

Sometimes sharing your passion may mean helping the guy who can’t see as well as he/she used to. Sometimes it might mean helping untangle a “bird nest”.

Our Cutthroat chapter recently went to the Big Horn River in Montana, and there was an 80-year-old gentleman who had been fly fishing since he was 16. Not only was the fishing difficult due to the low river flow, but also the wind was 40 miles per hour. At the end of each day, this gentleman never complained and always said he had a great day even though the fishing was extremely tough.

On the last day, another gentleman from the group, Art, saw a pod of fish and insisted that the older gentleman persist in trying to catch one of the larger fish in the pool. He landed a 22” rainbow. That night everyone in the camp celebrated. What a great moment, not only for the older gentleman, but also for the wonderful guy, Art, who helped him and would not let him give up. What a great feeling – helping someone catch a fish. This is why I am a member of Trout Unlimited – it is because of guys like Art who share their knowledge with others.

There was another gentleman on the trip who I was trying to help and he told me it was his first time fishing since his wife had died two years ago. How could I not help him?

To the new anglers out there, go to a Trout Unlimited meeting and consider asking someone at a meeting to take you fishing with them. Sometimes the chapter will have monthly fishing trips, especially this time of year. Take a class at a local fly shop. They are always ready to help you.

For those of you who share your passion of our great sport, thank you.

Happy Holidays!