I am SUPER excited to have some of my photography in this years Umpqua catalog!!
I realize most people won’t know how exciting this is unless you are into fly fishing; but anytime you can combine passions it is something to be excited about! This is something that I always wished for and it’s a cool feeling to achieve even the smallest goals that I have held in the back of my mind for so long. Thanks Umpqua!
I get asked many times what it’s like being a girl guide. I get asked how I got into fishing. People are generally curious about how I grew in the position of one of two female fly fishing guides in the Vail Valley. I am happy to share some of my experiences, because at the end of the day; I have learned a lot about myself on my journey and I really wouldn’t change a thing. It hasn’t always been easy, but at the end of the day, my will is stronger than my doubt. I can be proud of myself for doing my best and maybe changing people’s minds about what it means to be an angler.
I didn’t start out with anything to prove. I randomly took a casting clinic and spent countless hours casting a rod I found up and down the rivers in Maine. I moved to Colorado and my then boyfriend had been a fly fishing guide for a number of years. His profession seemed, well, just chill. Compared to the stress of safety boating and raft guiding all while barely affording to not live in my dirty van, this sounded perfect. I asked him what it took to be a guide. Then, I fished my heart out, learned spots, studied insects, tried flies, adjusted my depth, watched, observed, adjusted my depth again, added weight, and tried again; until I felt ready.
I interviewed at the shop where my boyfriend worked with little more than naive confidence and a ridiculous amount of river miles. Jim, the manager at the time, asked me some questions and I threw out all of the fishing lingo I picked up over the past few years. I barely felt nervous. I never questioned who I was as an adult. I kayaked, rafted, and snowboarded for work; all without hitch. I dated guys who did those same things and dated guys who didn’t. That didn’t matter, I was Katie Fiedler, and I did whatever I wanted to do, bottom line. The only ingredient to my success up until that point had been my will. Jim mentioned that he would give me a shot and that he didn’t mind doing so because his aunt (a woman) had taught him to fish. I didn’t realize until then that I might be an underdog.
My first year as a professional fly fishing guide flew by. I barely slept at night because I was so worried about getting my clients to catch fish. The pressure and the stress came crashing down like an overhead swell every time I found out I had a trip on the books. In a nervous rookie sort of way, I delivered. I left everything I had on the water. One day I heard comments in the shop about how Jim wouldn’t let a client choose another guide; because even though I was a woman, I was perfectly capable. If they didn’t have a good time they could talk to him AFTER the trip. The pressure was SO thick. Not only did I feel the need to prove myself as a guide; I felt like I had to prove myself as a capable woman. But, much respect to Jim for having confidence in me when I may not have. He saw me as green, not a gender. That respect, I would come to find out , would be hard to come by in a highly competitive world where you don’t share flies or spots, and a girl could be a mood killer amongst mostly straight men.
Then came the three amigos from Texas. High water limited the spots, and that meant nothing to some first timers who only,” wanted to catch lots of fish.” This was year two as a guide. I was just happy to be out of those nagging casting clinics and out on the water. I picked a sweet spot at the confluence of Gore Creek and the Eagle River and did a quick clinic on roll casting, hook-sets, and the like. I handed each man a rod rigged with Pheasant Tails and pink San Juan worms. In the spring muddy run-off I knew this would work. I spent the time. I did the leg-work. I knew these flies were good. Then, out it came. “I’m not fishing with this girl fly.” I paused. This was a first. I had grown accustomed to the,” So how did YOU (a girl) get HERE (fly fishing)” questions. Or ,”Is this your boyfriends car?” You get the idea.
I ripped Mr. Texas’s “girl fly” off and tied some “whatever fly” on. He informed me that he was going to the other side of the river where it looked like a better spot then the one I chose. I grabbed the worm, hooked it on his waders, and said to him with a smile, ”If you decide you want to catch fish, tie this on.” He huffed and puffed across the bridge to the other side of the river. His friends wailed on fish and were loud and proud about it. That moment had to have been one of the most satisfying moments as a guide. He ate crow and tied the “girl fly” on his rig. That was also very satisfying. Who would have ever thought this to be possible, but a big tough man from Texas caught some fish…..on the ever loving “girl fly.”
Right at my second year as a guide , my boyfriend and I had the opportunity to move to the Florida Keys for a summer to fish for tarpon, and snook, and reds- o my! ANYONE who is serious about fishing would be DUMB to pass this up. So off I went. I sublet my apartment, put all my stuff in storage, and got to getting. Hands down, this remains one of the best summers of my life.
When I came back to the mountains, Jim had left the fly shop. I fell back to the bottom of the guide roster( For those of you who aren’t guides, this hit hard in the paycheck) , and kept up by waiting tables at night to support my guiding habit. Once again, I put in the time. I started to think in a business sense that it may be smart to see if I could get trips from another fly shop in the area. I went over and talked to the manager of a fly shop who had been given my name with a glowing reference from a fellow guide I worked with a couple years back. He never called back, and really didn’t seem very interested. I ran into him in Vail one day over the winter. I brought up that I would still be willing to pick up trips and then he hit me,” We don’t really have enough women booking trips to justify hiring a woman guide.” HEY! What?! ”I can guide men too!” He followed with some mumbling and stumbling about his words, but eventually came out with,” I just don’t see that happening.”
My blood had started to simmer. This can’t be the standard. I am not a second-class fly fishing guide. I don’t choose what color flies the fish eat. I am not limited to guiding women. The trout don’t care if my voice is high or if I have a set of breasts under my pack. Is this all one big episode of Punked?! I started to feel like maybe I did have something to prove, although what or how I didn’t know.
Year five or six as a guide, I took out two young boys. They hooked a couple of trout but nothing in the net despite my best efforts. Kids can be tough. Fishing can be tough. It happens. These kids were no exception. I didn’t receive any gratuity and the shop called to make sure that the guest was happy. The mother of these children chewed the shop out,” How dare you send my boys out with a girl!” “This is not what we signed up for!” This reaction was super shocking coming from a woman. “Are you kidding me,” I thought! I am pretty sure I delivered fly fishing trip complete with trout bites. That is exactly what they signed up for. Now my blood was boiling.
Flash forward to 2014, my seventh summer as a fly fishing guide. I went to pick up a family at a hotel. The wife forgot her license upstairs and ran up to grab it. The husband stood with his little daughter and threw out this gem of a comment.
“ So, are you here to take us to our fly fishing guide”
“I am your guide.”
“Oh! So YOU are going to take us fishing and everything?!”
“Yes, that is what I do.”
Seriously, this is what I do. I know I am not the only one. I have finally hit a stride where my confidence trumps my nervousness. I am good at what I do, and by no means am I the best fly fisherwoman out there. I finally don’t loose sleep over where I am going to take my clients and whether or not they will be able to catch fish. I have people who request me to be their guide, and we have great success! I host clinics in the shop about entomology, and rod rigging. I can tie a few flies and I am happy and free to admit that this is my least favorite part. I have fun doing what I do for a living. I love it! I feel like a fly fisherwoman despite some valiant efforts to discredit my past ten years on the water. I can admit that fly fisherwomen are few and far between. We are a unique crew, digging up insects, wading chest deep in ice cold water, and hanging out in the stereotypical boys club. Yeah, I get all that.
It hit me today; all I really have to prove is to myself, and it is what I have known all along. I can do what I want, and I can be happy, and I can be loved. I don’t need to prove myself to someone else’s ego. There is no such thing as a free lunch; you have to work for what you want. I hope that whatever leap you may be deciding to take: if it’s the right one; the pain, angst, and general ridiculousness will be worth the sweet trout tugging at the end of your line. Your best chance for success is when your line is in the water. Put your line in the water. Have a little naïve confidence. Get out there and, good luck!
Only a week away! This is going to be a fun event designed to get you out on the water! Come meet new friends and learn to fish! It’s super fun, I, promise! WomensClinicFlyer2015
We realize that you may want to try other activities besides fly fishing while you are visiting the spectacular Vail Valley. We thought we would put together a list of our top 5 favorites for you!
1.) Vail Valley Food Tours- This is a food-tasting/sight-seeing tour in Vail where you stop at 5-6 local restaurants and get a brief run-down of Vail’s story. Try it out! Everyone loves walking around the village, and this is the most fun way to do it! http://vailvalleyfoodtours.com/
2.) Lakota Whitewater Rafting. They have a ton of different trips so everyone in the family is happy. These are usually a full day thing, but they take you to some awesome places like Glenwood or Buena Vista! Insider Info: Make sure you book a trip with lunch, because you will work up an appetite. http://lakotaguides.com/
3.) Stand up Paddling- Nottingham Lake in Avon now rents paddle boards if you are short on time. The best place to get away is Piney Lake. It’s about an hour drive through the forest on a gravel road. Once you get there you can hike/paddle board/rent canoes and simply enjoy the incredible Rocky Mountain scenery! http://pineyriverranch.com/directions
4.) Hiking: This is a short list of our favorites. Enjoy!
Two Elk Trail in Minturn: http://www.fs.usda.gov
Beaver Lake in Beaver Creek: http://www.localhikes.com
Hanging Lake in Glenwood: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal
Piney Lake in Vail: http://pineyriverranch.com/directions
5.) Mountain Biking- You can rent bikes at the bottom of the gondola and do “hot laps” OR another way to see the BEAUTIFUL mountains is to hop on a Vail Pass tour and cruise down these wonderful hills! http://www.vailsports.com/bikerentals/
Wind, Snow, Cold. OH MY! I don’t know why I love fishing the Taylor until I get home, thoroughly exhausted and have time to reflect. Mainly I look and those giant fish pics and realize that I probably won’t see that many giants such a short stretch until we make our way out there again next year. We caught some nice fish and it was nice to get away and spend time with friends. And hey, the last day was warm, so that has to count for something right?
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This is one reason out of millions to get outside and explore. It was super cool to see the rainbow trout on the Yampa River protecting their beds. The trout spawn in the spring and will protect their beds/redds while the eggs develop. I didn’t fish for this particular group. They have a delicate process happening, and it’s best to not disturb.
I am sure you want to be careful to never step on the bed either! The beds will be a patch of clean rocks that is a little lighter than the rest of the surrounding river bottom. Just make sure you walk around these sensitive habitats and the fish protecting them.
What do you do for a living? It’s such a loaded question. I have realized it is a tough question to answer if you don’t really love what you do. I think it’s honestly a moment when you realize that you are either proud of your direction or not so stoked on it. I have been there one too many times. As I go through life, I have realized that one job may be a stepping stone and another may be a lesson in what not to do. My biggest realization is that if you have a real passion for your job, you are willing to put up with a little more of the drama and a little less of the pay to get where you want to go. Oh, and you’re not afraid to say what you do.
I can tell when I really don’t like something because I start questioning for what amount of money would I stay and do whatever it is that I am not having an ounce of fun doing. I kind of equate it to those eating challenges on reality TV. How much gross food would you eat for a shot at one million dollars???!!! What is your tipping point? We all have one.
Discovering my tipping point is all part of the process for someone like me who hasn’t known what I wanted to be since I was little. I have always been kind of a free spirit that way, and I am guessing if you are reading this you have a free spirit too. It’s what drives us to explore, create, and discover. I never wanted to define myself in one way or another, it just didn’t feel right. For example, I love fashion design. So does that mean a life in the city worrying about which leather bag completes my high-heeled wardrobe? No way! I don’t relate to that. I recently was able to give input on product colors to a fishing company, and HELLO! that was so cool! The one thing I do know, I am happier when I don’t have to deny any one part of myself to be where I am.
Each part of what makes me happy is like a puzzle. How can we fit them all together? I am going to have faith that it will. It’s been fun using my graphic design skills to build this website, and my photography skills to capture and share the moments, and guiding has given me great material to work with. It took me a long time to realize, that just because I have passion A. doesn’t mean I can’t incorporate it into passion B. I used to think, “I love graphic design, but then I will have to give up fly fishing.” I am beginning to combine my passions, and it’s a real treat. Now I feel like I have options, places to move, things to do.
What’s the moral of the story? Just do what makes you happy, and listen to yourself when you are at your tipping point. That point is where I have learned the most. Oh, and when you are at your tipping point, don’t yell, “Go F* yourself.” That really never goes as well as you think it will.
The good news: The trout stay and the crowds go.
The bad news: The cold-cloud-wind combo on any given winter day will test your dedication.
There is some kind of elegance in being prepared. It’s a little bit of an art form for someone like me. The ultimate luxury is being prepared. Picture a day that goes off with out a hitch. Old man winter starts to blow and you reach for your wind breaker. You slip on a warm hat just as the sun dips below the mountains, and take a sip of scotch. Life is good in the land of preparedness.
Here are 10 must-have products to keep you happy and warm in the winter fishing season.
1.) Wool socks.My feet always get cold first. These Patagonia mid-weight socks are the nicest fitting, warmest socks I own. They are even warm after they got a little damp because they are made with wool. The green is an especially “fishy” color if you ask me.
2.) Handwarmers. You can stick these bad boys anywhere, and they really do warm-up nicely. They take up little room in your pack, so they are nice to keep on hand. ( no pun intended!) I use hand warmers on my feet ( they make a specific foot warmer shape too.), hands, and in my pockets. We joke about sticking these on every inch of our legs on the blizzard days. I’ll let you know if it comes to that.
3.) That warm fleece lined hat. The debate is out on exactly how much heat you lose through your head. One thing I know for sure: if you want to stay warm you better wrap that bad boy in something warm and fuzzy. The thicker the hat, the warmer. Go for the gold and get a hat that is lined in fleece. I am not loyal to any one brand, but visit a ski shop or outdoor shop for the best options.
4.) Fleece Neck Gaitor. Go for the thickest one you can find! Your neck nd face will thank you!
5.) Thin Puffy Layer. I wear this layer more than anything I own winter or summer. Patagonia makes a great version that is hard to beat.
6.) A hand towel. This was a stroke of genius from my husband. If you catch a trout, you will need to get your hand wet to touch it. A nice hand towel dries your hands quickly so you can get back to fishing without frozen wet hands.
7.) Simms puffy pants. Both my husband and I have tried the puffy pants, and they are hands down winter fishing’s biggest luxury. They blow any other fleece combo out of the water for warmth. Puffy pants win. At the time of posting this, it seems they are no longer available on the Simms site, but I did find some similar puffy pants by Patagonia.
8.) Fishing gloves. These are a great way to cut the chill without loosing dexterity. You can get the Simms version with fingers that fold back which allows the angler to tie flies on without stripping of the glove.
9.) Quality base layers. If you have spent any time in the outdoor your know that cotton kills. (ie: don’t wear it!) But I have struggled to find favorites when it comes to base layers amoung the hundreds of options. I have favorites from- icebreakers and hot chillys and Patagonia to name a few. Whatever you choose- look for a close fit and stretch.You want this layer to lie close to your skin and pull the moisture away.
10.) Waterproof Windbreaker. I wear the Patagonia women’s and Coop wears the Simms mens. Both are cut a little shorter so they don’t drag in the water while you are wading. They are fully waterproof and have special hand gaskets that don’t hold water if you have to get your hand wet.
It’s all worth it in the end! Happy Fishing!
A client from Vail stands in the early morning steam this winter.
A happy client, Barb, catches her first trout ever in a winter wonderland.
Guide, Cooper Anderson with a nice bow in a snowstorm on the Taylor River.
Me, creeking on Gore Creek after a fresh snowstorm.
One of my favorite ever photos of the peaceful Eagle River. Taken by Cooper Anderson.
I am screaming the cold away after getting my hand wet for this fish. It was fun though.
Guide friend Nate Reynolds with a beautiful fish out of the Taylor River in the snow. I think he needs more tippet.
In honor of Cooper Anderson’s 33rd birthday, I thought I would make a gift list. If you are not an avid angler, it can be tricky to find the perfect gift! Here is a quick list of 5 gifts that will dazzle any angler, without breaking the bank.
1.) Deyoung tumbler. These mugs run $20 each and are a great way to add some fishing flair to any anglers home. Whether they fish salt or fresh water, there are options for both. Give two now and two next Christmas. They are fun to collect!
2.)Fly Fishing hats. These are an easy gift, and they will be loved. I can’t tell you how fast a lucky hat gets to be dirty and worn with sweat rings and the like. A new hat feels good! Your favorite angler will thank you for helping them make fly fishing look sooooo good. Simms has nailed it in the accessories department, I recommend checking them out first. They have great women’s options too! Hats are in the $20-$40 range depending on style.
3.)Fancy nippers. I use nippers every time I hit the water. Abel makes a great nipper that runs $60 for a solid color which are available in a rainbow of colors. The fancy nipper is definitely pricier than many other versions, but they don’t slip around with wet fingers and the larger size make them easier to grab and use.
4.) Trout stationary. I created this stationary because I could not find any that was fishy enough! The 5 pack runs $20 and the blank cards will give your fishy friends a way to stay in touch as they travel the globe in search of fins and gills.
5.) Trout of the World by James Prosek. This is a perfect coffee table/ reference book. There are more fish in here than I could imagine, and it is quite interesting to see the differences in trout around the world. It’s imformative, it’s art, it’s a super cool way to spend an a few hours, and it’s something your favorite angler will find themself looking at over and over again. This book is $25.
As the new year is fast approaching, it gives us time to reflect on the past year and plan out trips and goals for the new year. Here are 6 fish on my “caught on a fly” bucket list. What are on yours? Has anyone completed this list?
1.) Taimen Trout. 6 feet.. 200 lbs.. a trout?!? Before I saw a video release on these monster fish, I lived in the dark. Taimen live in northern Mongolia and are aggressive big trout. Enough said! I want one!
2.) Bonefish. I have been visiting the Keys for upwards of 10 years. Apparently these fish are not as prevalent as they once were “back in the day.” I only have ever caught one on a spin set-up. I am dying to wade in the flats and catch a glimpse of one of these zippy little creatures tailing as they feed in the turtle grass. I’ve been told I need to go to the Bahamas. I know the fight in these fish will be worth the extra jet fuel.
3.) Tarpon.. over 70lbs. Sooooooo.. I know. I am pretty greedy. I have technically landed a tarpon on a fly, and it took no shortage of blood, sweat, agony, tears, and will -power to get one of these silver kings to finally eat my fly. But I want another one.. a bigger one! The fight, they jump, they wrap you around stuff. Tarpon are the most exciting thing I have ever caught, and they will leave you wanting more too.
4.) Roosterfish. Many of my friends tell me stories of seeing the rooster fish tailing off of a pristine beach in Mexico. I can just feel the excitement of catching a 5 foot 100 lb. fish with a mowhawk. I mean, come on.
5.) Carp. The carp is a little new to me. Cooper (my husband) has landed a couple with his other guide buddies. I know they like the slow moving water toward Rifle or just outside of Denver. This is a cool looking bottom feeder, that I need to figure out. Also, this is a very doable goal- I mean they live in Colorado!
6.) Peacock Bass. This is one of the most colorful fish I have ever seen photos of. They are freshwater. To make this goal a little easier, I found out they were introduced and thrive in some of Florida’s freshwater fisheries. However, I would prefer to get out of dodge and catch one of these bass in the Amazon. How cool would that be?! Either way, it’s all about that bass.
It’s a winter wonderland out on the river and a peaceful way to spend a day on your vacation. If you are looking for a beautiful and relaxing way to take in the mountains this winter- book your fly fishing adventure today! Below is 10 year old Aidan, who is a die hard angler, with his catch of the day. 
You want to give fly fishing a try? Awesome! We often hear this is the highlight of vacationing in Colorado! Here is a short list of 8 things to bring on your first guided fly fishing trip!
1.) Socks. Warm socks are preferred. The beautiful rivers we guide on are fed largely by snow melt from the high mountain peaks. Even on the warmest days, the water is cold. Unless you run with super hot feet ( you know who you are) a nice pair of warm socks will suit you well.
2.) Your drivers license & social security number. You will need this to get a Colorado State Fishing License. You can save a step the day of your trip by visiting this site and printing your license ahead of time! Many people are hesitant about giving social security information out. But, if you get your license ahead of time, only the state of Colorado will see it.
3.) A snack. We provide light snacks, but if you are in any way particular about what you eat, by all means, bring your favorite bar or sandwich.
4.) Appropriate layers. The best way to dress is as if you were going hiking for the day. If it looks like rain, bring a rain coat and a fleece. Comfortable pants are nice since you will be wearing waterproof waders. If you have small children, I recommend a change of clothes, just in case the take a spill in the water.
5.) Waterproof camera or camera case. We carry cameras and are happy to share our pictures. If you prefer the creative freedom, bring a waterproof bag to carry your camera, just in case you drop it. If you use your phone as your camera, we love the lifeproof cases. Some clients use a Ziploc bag, and this usually works pretty well. By no means do we want you to fall in the water, but JUST IN CASE, protect your gear. If you are clumsy, you can always leave your valued items in the car.
6.) A hat. Hats cut the glare which is a big deal when you are looking at the reflective surface of the water for long periods of time.
7.) Sunglasses. I saved the best for last! More than anything listed above, don’t forget your sunglasses! Polarized sunglasses are an anglers best friend. They reduce glare and protect your eyes from flying hooks. Don’t forget your little ones! If you are taking a little one along, they don’t need to be fancy, just something. We sell Sun Cloud sunglasses at the shop for around $40, and these can be a great last minute option for anyone.
8.) Sunscreen. Sun exposure is intensified at high altitude. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen liberally any time you are enjoying the outdoors!
You are all set!
We provide all boots, waders, rods, flies, water bottles etc. If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask your guide! I hope you enjoy your time one of the many breath-taking mountain rivers!
The Eagle River flows have dropped significantly over the past 2 weeks. The fly fishing is right on point! Be sure so stake your claim on summer fun and book your trip with Anderson’s Fish Camp today! (970) 476-3296 for more information.
Match the Hatch: Fish are on small emerger patterns lately. Think Rs2’s and Barr’s Emerger’s. HAVE FUN!
July4 kicks off the summer in the Vail Valley with the start of the caddis hatch which makes us smile. Something else that makes us smile; KIDS! We have had the pleasure of guiding quite a few little ones these past weeks and we thought we would share some of our favorite kid fly fishing photos! The expressions say it all.
This photo is from last year, but an easy favorite. 
I asked them how many bites they had…. 
Part of being a guide is knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Right now we have wild strawberries flowering like crazy! It’s going to be a good year for on-the-river snacks. Did we mention they are free range, wild, organic and ALLLLL natural! Get ready!
The water is high, but it will go down. Learn to become an independent angler now! We have lowered our prices to $25 per person!!
Sunday sessions are on a rotating schedule. Come to one or come to all for sessions! Special discounts on gear and guided trips for all women who attend!
