First Fish on First Fly

Fishing up at Lake San Isabel for the second time that day! I was hooked on catching another one and went back that evening. 

I finally did it. I caught my first fish (actually 3 in total) on a fly rod. That's right! I officially made my right of passage into the Trout Unlimited family. I think my dad is regretting showing my sister and I how to fly fish - seeing as how we end up being the only ones catching anything. Sorry dad!

He is so small I couldn't believe he ate the fat flying ant that my sister tied. Of course we only got a picture of this smallest one ever, but he was the first!

Flashback to that weekend

I was trying to keep my expectations low as it had only been my second time actually going fly fishing. I think it helped that we went to a stocked mountain lake where I could wade in about waist deep. The first one I caught was a tiny rainbow trout that barely fit in my hands. The next two were also rainbows but much larger (9-10 inches) with much more fight. Let's just say they both flopped up and then immediately unhooked themselves to quickly swim away. Of course, the only one we could snap a picture of was the first one. I guess that's just how fishing works - no one will believe that I caught anything larger unless I have a picture to prove it. 

I have to say that I never thought I would enjoy it so much until I felt the tug on the end of my line and then immediately lifting straight up to see the wicked bend of the rod. I now get it. I got it so much that after we came back to my parent's that afternoon, I was all set to go back out again that evening. 

After proving that I could actually catch something on a fly rod, let's just say my dad saw it fitting to purchase me some more gear to get me better prepared. It's not the most expensive, but for a beginner, it gets the job done. Now that I have the flyfishing bug - where should I go next? 

Andrea (Annie) Smith is CTU's Communications and Membership Coordinator. 

Meet the CTU Communications and Membership Coordinator

Canyonlands National Park, UT 2018

Hi there! My name is Andrea Smith, but you can call me Annie. I am so excited to be a part of the Colorado Trout Unlimited team as the new Communications and Membership Coordinator. I've been working here for about 4 months now and have met quite a few of your already at various events, board meetings, and most recently the 2018 Western Regional Rendezvous!  A little bit about me: I am originally from the Chicago area having lived there for 18 years until moving out to Colorado with my family. I attended the University of Colorado, Boulder and completed my Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environmental Studies with a minor in Geology. During my summers at college, I interned with multiple non-profits in the area. I once worked at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with a focus on the care of injured or orphaned waterfowl and songbirds. I saw first hand the dangers that wildlife face in a human world and assisted the licensed rehabilitators in administering medical treatments.

I also interned and later worked for the Inland Ocean Coalition (formerly the Colorado Ocean Coalition) a project of the Ocean Foundation, nonprofit. There I was the Lead in Operations and Public Outreach, but also wore many hats and became exposed to the inner workings of a non-profit which included development and growth through volunteer projects, trainings, programming, fundraisers, communications, outreach, and legislative activism. 

I've also been a Girl Scout my entire life and loved summer camp to the point that I also worked a summer up at Red Feather Lakes, CO (sadly closed now) as a Staff Counselor. 

Water has been a continuous theme in my life. I grew up near the Great Lakes and loved going swimming at the Illinois Beach State Park, camping in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, and going on family road trips to some of the best outdoor places across the US. Some other hobbies I enjoy include: painting, hiking, photography, videography, kayaking, and playing my ukulele. 

Lake San Isabel

I come from a family of fishermen and women, but I still haven't caught the fishing bug yet like my older sister has (she ties some great flies by the way). Whenever my dad goes fishing on Lake San Isabel, I'm the one in the kayak or hiking around the area collecting lost hooks or bobbers. I've had a lesson or two recently and am excited to find some great spots to practice my cast.  Feel free to send me your recommendations for a beginner angler like me!