Fly Fishing

My dad taught me how to fish at a young age. Mostly every weekend of the spring and summer was spent fishing on our properties. Fishing has always been a way for my dad and me to bond. My dad is an avid fly fisherman, as well. He has gone to Christmas Island, South America, and the Bahamas with his friends for the sole purpose of fly fishing. He got me *hooked* onto fly fishing when I was in sixth grade on a trip to South Dakota. Ever since that vacation, my dad and I have also been able to share our passion for fly fishing.

Since I was two years old, we have traveled to Meeker, Colorado every July to the most beautiful ranch in all of North America. One of our closest family friends has owned this ranch for over forty years. Elk Creek Ranch is located on the South Fork of the White River. In the summers, the river water gets up to about sixty degrees, and the outside temperature is usually around eighty or eighty five. Because of the private waters, the fish have grown to be quite humongous over the years. In July 2012, my dad, our friend Ted, and I were on the lower part of the ranch. We were at the hole called “The Kingdom,” so usually there are some big fish who hang out there. I was fishing down river about one hundred yards from where my dad was. He landed this huge, beautiful cutbow, with a touch of orange on its lip. Being the competitive person I am, I wanted to catch a fish even bigger! I continued to cast, but I wasn’t getting any rises. Then, my fly went under with a huge gulp. I was about to catch a big one! After fighting this guy for almost fifteen minutes, I finally landed, wait a second, the exact same fish! My dad and I were completely baffled. It’s seems near impossible to catch the same fish twice, let alone in the same hour! We were able to document this event on my dad’s iPhone. Because the fish was so big, it still is one of the only fly fishing pictures my dad shows to friends and colleagues. I am so lucky to have a dad who has given me opportunities to purse my passions in life.