Rising on the Fly - Founders Tema and Julia

Hot podcasting from Chico California.

This is the Bart fly fishing podcast

where we discuss North health life Fishing, guiding

fisheries signs and management,

conservation and more.

No better, fish better. Here's your host, Hogan Brown.

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Barb podcast. Thanks for

clicking on this episode and tuning in taking a listen.

My name's Hogan Brown, and

we have been a pretty busy here over in the Brown household.

Between a fall across,

fall soccer,

couple trips out to

South Bend Indiana and watch fight Irish and

guide fishing tie, you name it, Man. It is

I I'd like to think there's not a busy time of year, but it seems like the the the entire three hundred and sixty five days of the year now has become incredibly busy. So

I don't know if that's just a stage of life I'm in with two teenagers, businesses

and

all the stuff that

go along with running businesses and teenagers that play travel sports all over the place and, you know, trying to maintain some sem of a life in between. But

busy has

taken over first the new norm, I think. So

you know, so, I guess that's the way it is, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. So

fishing wise,

kinda wrapped up our

I guess, summer fall stripe season.

We had some really great fishing

around September in October and then

the water temperature has definitely gotten down into the the cold zone where I I personally just don't think the fish eat as much. So

the bike gets a little tougher, but the glad bait guys would argue with you. So

they seemed do well.

In the colder temperatures. So, you know, I think

there's something to be said for that, that means fish are still here always year around. So, you know, you can, and we do run into them in the winter and such. But,

for guiding purposes and fishing purposes, a lot of us have, you know, moved on to the Hub the feather, the Lower Sac, which

traditionally October is one of the best months of the year for those fisheries and I haven't spent much time on them just because

I,

I'm glut for punishment when it comes to the stripe, I'll chase them

till the river blows out. But,

Chuck, Ben,

Ryan Williams, a lot of the crew been out and just

you know, it's amazing what a year

with

no one, you know, commercially

or recreational fishing for salmon meaning, you know, every Salmon that's gonna live lives.

And

water

does to our our valley steel head salmon and their resident trout, man. I mean,

from what I've heard, the fishing just phenomenal

on, you know, the sack, the feather to Hub, and I imagine anywhere else. So

it is really cool to see a fall

where our rivers have water. You know, that's just not a

not a common thing lately, which is

good

that we do have it this year.

I did read in the newspaper

today,

and then I I actually looked it up. I saw online that you know, they are forecasting an El Nino winter this year again for us, which,

you know, is... I I don't know how many times I've heard that, and it doesn't pan out, but

you know, the, we're getting pretty close. So the... I think the closer you get to winter, maybe the more accurate it becomes. I don't know. But

it was talking about, you know, warmer water coming up in the Pacific and, you know, a true El nino winner with...

A lot of lot of rain,

you know, definitely,

I I... If I understood it correctly, it meant not as much snow

but

it just comes in the form of rain, which, you know, I I I don't skier doing any of that, so that didn't really bother me. But if you do, that may bother you.

So there's that.

Other stuff coming up, man. I mean, it is it is in the heart of college football season. If you don't know anything about me, I

basically live and die on how than fighting Irish do,

been out twice to south bend for the

gut wrench heartbreaking loss of Ohio state,

and

I just

went back again for the

uplifting,

complete dismantling

of Usc. So

two trips in, I'm, you know, one in one, one was

absolutely soul crushing as I I had seats probably forty rows, fifty rows up from the goal line with which the winning touchdown for

Ohio state this time expired was scored.

And,

that that game was actually the most in insane I had ever seen that stadium.

And campus,

the whole deal.

College game day was there for me Espn, Vince vaughn was the hair.

The Pat Mca show. I mean, it was...

I've been going back to not dame for fifteen years

we've had season tickets for a long time,

and I am never in my life seen the campus or the stadium like that. It was absolutely insane and delivered a hundred percent on the game. So

you know, bummer, but,

you know, I've always said when I looked at schedule this year, you know,

Usc and

Ohio State could be two losses. You know, based on what you were thinking going in, You know, no one saw Louisville coming, but it,

you know, that was Louisville Super Bowl, and we were coming off two

incredibly stressful heartbreaking and uplifting games with the duke.

Game in the Ohio state game, and

I I have to believe we just didn't have anything left in the tank for that Louisville game to match the intensity at Louisville. So,

you know, so it goes.

But trip back for

Usc was phenomenal. Whether, you know, it's funny how... If you if you know the Midwest, it's amazing how quick the weather can shift, you know, we were back there.

It was two or three weeks between we're were back for the house state game and, you know, kids are in shorts, t shirts.

I'm in shorts and t shirts. It's hot.

You know, and then you go back a couple weeks later in Usc was

rain and just brutal

Midwest cold wind, and it, it was rough. I don't think

I was in my Sims pro dry suit with

a down jacket, like, I was bundled. It was cold. So

that made it almost more awesome to watch

Usc get dismantled. So

other than that, you know, kinda, the weather's been going up and down, and that's been tough on the bass bite, the stripe bite, but, you know, we're holding strong. I know Ryan Williams has been out on, like, Orbital a few times. I've been

fill in my lake Or

floating and fly boxes

and it getting ready for that as it is almost November, and that's about when we start

you know, heading out there.

So a lot of stuff lot of stuff cranking,

you know, a lot of good fishing, lot of stuff to do. So hopefully, everybody's getting out and seeing some water,

and

getting in, you know, a fall unlike any with all this water. So

for the show, we got a,

two ladies

that I will introduce when we start to show, but

two ladies that asked me to come on the show and I I... They had been on my list to ask, and by them asking, I was forced to find time to do a show. So that that always helps, you know, kick the kick the engine into place, but,

They are an interesting an an interesting concept that they had

that they put in action in a a really cool nonprofit that they have,

put together and we just

celebrated with them. I think a couple days ago, maybe a week ago their one year anniversary.

So

they are one year in and

doing a lot of great work within the sport of fly fishing really throughout the country. So

I'll leave it at that and let the show speak for itself. Hope everyone has a

a great time out there and get out and enjoy some fishing while they can, and

we'll be back.

Alright. Hey, everybody Welcome back to Barb podcast. My name is Hogan Brown, and I'm very fortunate to

welcome to guests

today,

miss T Robbie. Did I print... Do I pronounce your name right, T? Did I say that correctly? It is T. It's just Rob. Rob. Okay. I I figured there was a shot I was gonna screw up at least one person's name. That's that's kind of a given. So...

And then, miss Julia Mitchell, I... Hopefully, I said that well. My understanding is. Okay. Good Good. Good. Those are two that I I would be pretty embarrassed if I messed up, but, you know, I'm not gonna put it put it past me.

So

we... We... I'm having you on, to tell kinda a little bit about an organization you started.

And

the organization is called rising

to the fly,

and

you guys just had a a big one year anniversary. Yes.

Yeah. We did. Yeah.

So I I I always... When I when I think about one year anniversaries, like, it's kinda like the the one year anniversary of your child's birth or, like, a relationship or a marriage.

And, like, there's really two ways it goes. It's either the longest

twelve months of your life,

and you don't remember life before it or it went by so fast and, you know, you have hearts and stars in your eyes still.

Is

which one are you guys in?

I'm thinking we're hearts and stars. Yeah. Good. Well, now that now that one person said that the other person can't be like, god.

It was the longer.

Oh, I don't know. I think we would have it... If we felt that way, but know. I I definitely

As you were saying that, I was like, oh, I think Of hearts and stars.

And that's that's the good answer. That's that's what I always say. You know, it's hearts and stars, man. It's all good.

Well, that's good because that means, you know, anytime you you take on a project like a non profit,

I've done it, and there is a point where it becomes work,

and the longer you can offset it being work and still a labor of love and such, I think

the better it is. Right? So... Yeah.

Why don't you tell the listeners a little bit about rising to the fly? Kinda what it does and then we can kinda talk about how how we got to the one year anniversary?

Sure. So,

I'll I'll take this one.

Because,

it started. It was an idea that I had,

actually many years ago,

I had some

life shirts that were, you know, really in good shape. I just didn't fit them anymore, and I thought, gosh, you know, There's just gotta be somebody who could use this... It seems like a shame to

just give it to, you know, goodwill or salvation army or something when, you know, I I bet there's an angle out there that would appreciate it. And I just sort of put it in the back of my mind and then,

T and I met, and I talked to her about the idea and she loved it.

And so we talked about sort of different ways that we could do it. And then last August,

we were talking, and we're just talking about it and

we're were like, well, do you wanna do this? And she's like, yeah. And I said, okay. Yeah. Let's do it. And so that's kind of how it started and then

you're sitting there talking about well, what do we call it? And I said,

you know, what if we call it rising to the dry? And she said, oh, yeah. Rising to the fly. That sounds good.

I was like, yes. Rising to the fly much better. So that was sort of how that came to be. And then we... I started working on getting, you know, the social media, getting all of that registered and and Facebook setup up and Instagram set up and a website set up and T start working on all of the

paperwork and everything that goes with actually creating a a five zero one c three nonprofit.

And so we start marching forward and

building it and then in October of last year,

we we hit our our, we thought our official approval on our five zero one c three status, so we started.

And

our mission is to provide gear carbon guidance

for women to break down barriers of entry to make fly fishing inclusive

and available to all women who want to participate.

So it kinda takes three different prongs, if you will, there's the gear the ga in the guidance. And so

the gear in the garbage are really getting the equipment, whether that's rods and reels,

waiters, boots,

clothing, anything like that technical clothing, hoodies,

sun shirts, jackets, all of that.

To women, and then the guidance part is something that that part we started right away working on through donations

and getting the word out to various women.

And then the guidance part we just recently

probably... I'd say in the last four months or so have started really working on focusing on and that is

reaching out to women and making sure that we're doing

lessons, casting lessons, clinics

in person,

meanings that we just had our very first rising to the fly in person

intro to fly fishing

clinic up at the Cloud River Outpost, which was generously donated to us for the weekend.

And, it was a huge success. It was really, really fun. So that's sort of our backstory.

That's great. That that that is a complete tale.

T,

where... So you you were... I mean, you were the the paperwork

impetus on this. How did how did you jump? I mean, your your legal expertise is known far and wide. So

I imagine.

Yeah. So I have, you know, I've been on few different boards. Yeah. So I had a lot of on nonprofit experience with just

how boards are run, how you create a on nonprofit. So I just I just worked my way through the paperwork.

It was actually much easier than I anticipated it to be.

Worked on by laws before. So we... You know, I created the by laws.

And it's just been... It was a really...

I don't wanna

jinx it, but it's it was a really easy process,

and it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would to get approval.

And so once we got that approval, it's like Julius said, we just... We took off and and had been nonstop since,

working with various nonprofit,

you know, a lot of one of my favorite

you know, parts of this is just working with various

women from different

nonprofit, like casting for recovery and project healing waters. And so

with casting for recovery,

women with breast cancer go to these retreats and so

rising that the fly has become sort of a backstop. So if these women wanna continue their journey with Fly fishing,

they reach out to us if they need

gear or a rod or just have questions.

So that's been a pretty big,

piece of our

of, where our equipment is going.

And it's just it's it's fun. It's... I love working on it.

That's good that's good to hear. I mean, I think you're a little...

Probably a little too humble there is, like, many great ideas for nonprofit end at the paperwork stage. So

having the ability to get through the by laws, and do all that stuff is no small feet.

So, you know? Thank you. Yeah.

You. So, I mean, I I was like, I was looking at your website. And like, I kinda know what you guys do, and I know the basic idea, but, like, one of the first things you talk about is barriers, and I think

everyone knows there's barriers to entry to really anything. Right? Like, any hobby in the modern America outside of, like, walking is

you know, And

the people that walk by my front window though, like, they got pretty nice shoes and all sorts of stuff. I, we can even argue to walk. There's financial and

informational barriers. But

Like, what did you guys experience that, obviously, if you're motivated to bring down barriers, most people will experience a barrier themselves that they have to overcome. And, you know, as

I've been in the sport for a long time, and I think the sport has done a really good job of removing barriers in general. But obviously,

You guys still see barriers there as, you know, as I do as well. But what were some of the things that led you because It's one thing to overcome barriers in and of yourself. It's another thing to be motivated to help others take those down. That's usually a... Okay. You usually have experienced a fairly strong barrier if you're motivated to take it down for other people.

How did that come.

Any either one you can take that? Yeah. Yeah. I was gonna say for me,

I felt like,

you know, there's sort of this perception of, like, you know, the... You know, to get out there and fish, you gotta go to Or and spend, you know, four thousand dollars and get the rod and the waiters and boots and this and that. And one of the things that I try to emphasize is, you know what? The fish don't know. The fish don't know if you have, you know, a twelve hundred dollar rod or you have a hundred and twenty dollar rod. They don't know. Yeah. So

I tried to to look at it from that perspective and tell people that And one of the things that T and I kind of realized after we

originally had said our mission was to break down economic barriers. Yeah. So that was definitely one of the main things that we were focusing on is getting equipment out to women who... Who couldn't necessarily afford it, but we also realize that there's just a barrier

of,

women

learning, just learning how to be an angle, how to be an independent angle. How to go out there and just fish and there's

barriers of of women being, like, oh, I don't wanna go out by myself. I don't really know what I'm doing. All that kind of stuff. So we actually took economic out

to really broaden the scope and say, hey, it's not just about if you can't afford gear.

It's really about, like, if you have mental barriers of, like, oh, I don't know if I could do this. Or I don't know how to start or that kind of stuff. So those were kind of the things that,

you know, it started out a little bit of one direction, and then we tried to broaden it just based on what we were seeing out there. Yeah.

Now, T, you've... How long have you fished? Emma for what, five, six, seven years now?

I'm two and a half years. Oh, wow. Wow. You put

you've been busy in two and a half years? I have.

So did you experience, you know, since I don't know. I mean, I don't I don't think of you as a new angle. Maybe it's just time wise. That's a short duration of one's life,

but you've done a lot in two and a half years. So

What, did you experience barriers when you got into the sport that kinda motivated this?

So for me, it was

a kind of a mental

piece. I was, you know, I was scared to

try something new. I was... I knew I wanted to try it. I was worried about being by myself on a river. I was worried about safety.

I, you know, found somebody to give me some casting lessons who is still a good friend of mine today down in the Bay area.

But at the time, I was like, I don't know if he's any good. I don't know if he's gonna to say, oh, yeah. Pay money and good luck. It's your first trip to the mechanic and you're crossing your fingers. This day it's not gonna just totally hose you.

But I got really lucky. And and you know, he took me on my first trip to Food Creek, and I probably fished for six months,

and didn't catch a thing, and then caught fish at Hut Creek, and it was probably three inches long, and it was the most

amazing moments

just because it was my first fish. Yeah. Now I love the fish by myself. I love going out by myself. Yeah.

And that's not to say I don't like being with people also, But if there's something to be said about being out on River by yourself

and just present and

the the stress of,

you know, life kind just... You don't think about it for hours. I'll look at my watch and go. My god. I've been out here six hours. Yeah. No. I sail all the time I'm allergic to people on water. So don't feel. We're we're in a safe space. You can say you hate seeing other people on forever

So...

But, you know, to to be honest, if I'm, you know, out on the cloud, even if I'm with a friend, And I hear some crackling behind me I'm like, oh God, is that a bear

lions. Is that a person? That's just normal. That's just normal doubt. Like, don't don't beat yourself up on that one. Like, if I'm on the cloud Mc cloud here crackling behind me, I'm like, oh, baby. Am I on the menu?

Yeah.

So there's... You know, I think a lot of... Or not a lot. But some of the barrier just being safe and learning totally safe. Yeah. And being in remote areas without service and how do you manage that? Yeah. So I... You know, for me, that was one of the bigger barriers with safety.

Yeah. That's funny you bring that. Because when I was, I mean, I I don't I don't know if that's, like, a a male female thing. I because you hear a lot of female anglers talk about that, but I also think, like,

there's a little bit of an age component to that because, like, when I was younger, I would just hard charge everything.

And now I'm, like, you know,

like, the cell phone reception up there not so good. What if I fall and I get hurt or my car... You know, that just...

Yeah. Can helicopter hit me in in here. Yeah. Like, I got invited to go to this the the

I was, like, a year ago, I got invited to go to some lodge and, I don't know, some third world country and I'm like, not.

It's a long way from American medical care. Like, what if something happens,

like,

I like, totally felt like, you know, I should be wearing, like, white new balances and, like, zip off Columbia pants and like, I was, you know, I all of a sudden became my, you know, seventy five year old father overnight, but, like, I I I I think safety is

I comic have become much more conscious of safety as well. So I don't know if that... What that says about men and women, but it may be an age thing too. But I think it's Yeah. Go for it. But Julia was about to say it was it's like, you know, we... Some of us have kids, and we have responsibilities

Totally. You know, it's week... And so the risk taking for me has gone down a little bit. Oh, hell yes.

I

I'm like, how do I get to a road? That's my main concern. And do I have five g right here? You know, as much as I don't wanna see people? I'm also like,

if I get hurt, I want someone to hear me scream. So...

Right? Yeah. So... Well, that's that's interesting. So

with your guys

with the ideas that,

you know, a lot of

I would imagine when you guys started out, did you feel comfortable utilizing the resources that, like, the traditional fly industry has, like a fly shop or a fly club or any of that type of stuff? Because I mean,

this funny I gave a presentation at a a fly club last week and, you know, the general fly club crowd is, you know,

aging and white male. Right? But

it seemed like the club I was at. There was probably a third of the women. There was women in there, and

I don't know. They seemed like nice normal people,

and I'm sure that's not the norm, but did you guys...

Was that not an option for you? Or...

So

I couple... I have a couple thoughts on Yeah. And you don't have to throw anybody under the bus. I'm just curious.

But you came totally throw people under the bus as well. I have a great story too when when Tim is done. Okay. And bob's you.

Perfect. So

So I'm on the board of, Dia Valley Fly fishing club down in the Bay area. Yeah. And when I joined the club, I was like, oh gosh. It's gonna be exactly what you just said. Yeah.

You know, mostly men.

And Cookies coffee and aging males. That's what I say. Yeah. Okay. Alright. Alright. You said it not me... Calling what it is.

And so they had an intro to fly fishing clinic. Was like, alright. I'm gonna give this a go. So I did the clinic. It was fantastic.

And then there was a trip, a weekend trip up to Lake A, and I thought, oh, god. I really gonna do this? Is it gonna be terrible or they gonna not, you know, wanna hang out with Mayor or whatever. One of the best trips I've ever done. That's awesome. These guys were so awesome.

And so welcoming and so helpful.

And you know, fly fishing everybody has an opinion. Totally. Totally. Oh, it's worse than politics.

Like I but I will say I love this club... The... I love the club and the guys on the trip are phenomenal and... Yeah. Just amazing.

Fly shops.

So...

Well... And let me say so about clubs. I will say, like... Okay. Most clubs are, like, I found

awkward

welcoming

and wanting to help. Like, it is almost, like...

And I think you're exactly correct is, like,

They want people to participate in those events and stuff so bad that it's almost they're like, awkward nice. You know what Mean it's like.

And so... But I... I'm just curious because that doesn't... The fly club model doesn't work for everyone. Right? Like Right. It, you know, there's a lot of women that are like, yeah, dude. That just a bunch of dudes showing me what to do. Like, that just does not jive. And it it it's not just women. It's, like, kids. Like,

if you're a fifteen year old dude, you're not gonna sit down at a table and learn how to tie your knots. Like, you wanna go stick a fish. Right? So... Right. Right. I was just... It it's... I I I think the model works. I just... I was curious. It worked for you, and it sounds like it did because the dia club a great club. It's a historic club in the state. So, I mean... Yeah. But that's good to hear. I I wrote... Yeah. I like being a part of it. Yeah. And then with respect to fly shops, I mean, definitely some fly shops are much more helpful than others. Oh, yeah. For sure. I was just up at Ted Bay fly shop and You, and the bob Bob in there and Bob and I, you know, chatted for a good forty five minutes and he's. I'm gonna keep talking to you so keep eye up

You're not wrong.

Kidding.

Well you know, And... And he's really helpful. Totally, Bob is a great dude. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Tahoe fly fishing outfit is huge help. Yeah. Brendan great. Well, Brendan employs, some young women. I think, last time I was in the at least talking to Matt Colleagues who was up there. There's a lot of young women in that shop, like young women.

He

did John

put John Bra put

been out in the shop and said you get... Like, I think it was, like, ten percent off if you donate something to rising to the fly. Oh. Great.

Oh, we've collected two pretty full bins. And, I mean, it's just been a huge huge help. And then and then, John, like I said before, John donated the the Mc mcleod River outpost to us his campsite

for us to do the

to do our clinic there, which has been fantastic. So

Yeah. I mean, it it just really depends on the shop. Yeah. Yeah the flash shop.

Flash shops have personal story. I do too, but I... I'm... I'm gonna...

I'm scared to hear stories about myself. No. I wanna know. It's not bad. It's well and fly shops, I I will say, like, fly shops have personalities. Right? Like, Yes. You know, like, any business, like, I've even been to fly shops, and I'm like,

this is not my fly shops. Like, this is this is not my vibe, like,

And then I've been in a fly shop, so I'm like, I love these guys take my money. You know? And and that's true with anything. I I go to a...

I mean, a ton... I, like, super nerdy hobbies. So, like, I go to, like, music stores or record stores or comic books shops and, like,

they're all the same. Right? Like, in the sense of, like,

there are reflections of people that own it and just like, you don't get along with every person. Obviously, we're not gonna get along in every business. But

I'm always curious about women's experiences and fly shops because I worked in flash shops a long time, and I I always

would like to think I was nice and welcoming to everyone, but that's really easy to say when you're, you know, the male behind the counter. Right? Like, you're obviously in your own mind nice to everybody. So...

Well, United women on the fly just did a survey,

of, asking women,

about flash shops and their experience. So I don't think the results have been... Oh, that's gonna be interesting. That's... But I know I I was like, gonna be interesting Yeah. That's gonna be, like, written bad yelp videos. Right? You're like,

snap. You got smoked.

But they asked for names of of,

I think they asked for names of good shops. So I think they could they could say, like, here's examples of good shops in... Yeah.

And then you... Then you look at there and you're, like, whoa, Bob's not on there. Jim's not.

Probably. Yeah.

But but, I mean, I... You know, I just bought a pair of waiters from Tahoe, you know, Mh really, the new the new Pat Waiters, like, the... They're quite a bit of money, and I I specifically bought them from Tahoe outfitters because I'm like, that's where I want my money go. I want... Yeah. People that are supporting us to... I wanna support them, like, I'm I'm all about that. Oh, yeah. And that's that's the beauty.

Part of one of the beauties of the fly fishing industry and how that works is you have that choice. Like, you're not pigeon hold to, like, oh, well, if I go buy them here, they're gonna be a hundred dollars cheaper. You know what I mean? It's you're right.

So you truly... One thing I've always said is the good shops thrive and the bad shops die because They're all selling the same product for the same price. You know, what you're selling is customer service. So,

you know?

So... Well, yeah, let me look, I'm I'm I'm adequately prepared for the story about me.

It was just funny because when you were talking about flight gloves, it just rang so true. I had

just moved back to Northern California,

and I joined a

I'm not gonna send me. I joined a a fly fishing group there and

Somewhere in the state of Northern California.

Yeah. Somewhere. And I was super excited because you were giving the presentation. And I was like, I'd heard about. You. Was like, boy. Fantastic. Those sides.

And I went to the to the place that was being held, and it was in a sort of room, and I

I walked in, and I looked, and I was like,

is this the right room? I was like, is just like, Arp meetings. Like, I'm was like, I

Gonna talk about your Medicare b plan right now. What's next? I was, like, are we talking about the doughnut in Medicare plan? Like, I, like, what is going on? And, like, sort, I literally sort of backed out looked at the number again and I'm like, nope. This is right. Okay. And I was

legit twenty plus years younger than every man in that. I wouldn't. Absolutely The only woman and I was twenty plus years younger. I'm forty four, and that's been my experience for twenty five years in flight club. So that's a bad that's that's a Like

I was like, well, I don't care because I won't hear Hogan so I just sat down.

And you gave a wonderful presentation. So it's not bad, but I was just laughing that I was like, oh, yeah. That is so one hundred percent. But I

I didn't go... I actually didn't do anything after that. I was like, yeah, these are not my people. And I just sort of, like, you know, went and found other groups and whatnot, but I was just laughing when you said that I was like, oh, how funny.

Oh, yeah. No. It was... I, it... It's

I mean, I don't think until probably, and I don't know. I mean,

the fly fishing world for a long time was

very old. Right? And it has it has young up as I would say, it's got some fresh blood in it, Maybe over the last, you know, five to ten years. So,

you know, is

somebody was saying I was talking to someone the other day and they're like, man, you know, it's just we need more diversity. We need all this. We need all... And I'm like,

come come into the fly industry in the late nineties or, like, two thousand two man. Like, we've come a long way. Like, hold, you know, let's pet ourselves on the back a little bit. You know what I mean? Like,

Yeah. So

you know, it...

I always I always have to remind myself of how far we've come, not that we don't have a long ways to go, but,

you know.

So

Well, those the those are that... That's interesting and that's good to hear because, you know, you hear a lot of stuff where

people have incredibly negative experiences. Right? So having...

You know, I I wouldn't say even your experience, Julia where you're, like, I'm twenty years younger than everyone in here. That's that's not necessarily negative. That's just, like, that's out my road.

You know what I mean? That's not not cat. Yeah. Yeah. So so... And I've had tons of great experiences. And, like, and I've been out fishing and, like, I remember we're were out at the Mcleod just Tim and I and, like, I turned around and she's talking to some guy who've been fishing and, like, I turned around twenty minutes later. They're still chatting away and he's, like,

he had told her all about where he fish and gave her some flies and I like people, you know, in general, I think a lot of people are really cool people. You know, we... There's definitely the grumpy guesses, but, you know, there's there's good people out there. Yeah. I tend to I tend predominantly think most people in the fly fishing world are like,

they're good people. You know? Like, there's definitely grumpy gus and just downright jack wagon. But Yeah. I think, like, statistically... Typically, there's less of them than if you took a sample of the entire population. You know what I mean Like, I think we're under we're under the median for, you know,

degenerate and jerks in general. So I've always taken pride that.

And one thing that I did this year that was so far out of my comfort zone. It was... I can't... I still am like, I cannot believe I did it Was I did the cost of bass supply tournament. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

And there was one other woman who... I didn't know at the time, but I now know.

And that was it for women. Yeah. And it was really hard. And but everybody was so nice.

I mean, from check to getting out to how it works,

I mean, all of it. I start to finish. Yeah. And I mean, in a situation like that, like,

I think if even the... If you asked any of the males, if they didn't feel, like, ninety percent of the same way you did, they'd be full of shit. Right? Like,

everyone's nervous to compete or put... You know,

I remember, like,

I, I remember this is a long time ago, but I remember, like, the first time My dad took me on a guided trip. Right? And, like, I'm fishing in front of a guide. Like,

dude I could've have been a girl, a boy of fucking alien and I'd be nervous. You know what I mean? Like That's how I feel with Machete. I. Machete like, you know

I'm like, want the front of the boat, Julia.

So

Totally. And I didn't have to be... Yeah. Scrutinized.

And I I've talked Always say yes.

Yeah.

It sc me and All smack fish in front of you. Like, we're good.

I'm good. I'm good with that. I will never turn down the front of the boat. Yeah. Know. I know. Well, and I I think a lot of that uncomfortable ness like,

men would probably tell you they don't feel, but they're full shit. Right? Like, I I mean, I still... When I get up on... You know, I fish with guides a lot just because

that's... You know, I take my kids fishing and I go, and you know, I'll get up on the front of the deck, and I'm just as nervous as...

I mean, I get nervous, and it has... It's just...

Anytime you're doing something in front of someone it's nerve racking. You know? So... Well, and we have a story of fishing the clam. Yeah. Was it the plan Julia?

Yeah. It was

how this one? Oh, Like god. I am I'm just because it's kind of funny. It'll be quick. It'll

John Fa machete our guide.

And

I think I I don't know who's at the front and who's at the back. But John is, like, giving us instruction. We're going down the clam and deal him fishing and he's like, okay. There's a rock over there.

You know, don't don't get hooked into that, and there's a tree behind you. So he's talking to both of us. Yeah. So literally,

with literally.

One of us

lock... Just lob it right into the rock, get stuck and as John sees us get stuck. The other... One of us is now hooked in the tree that he told us to avoid. So. He guys look at at the two of us, like, really you guys call.

That's... So like, I... You know, I mean, I consider John one of my dear friends and Yeah. If there is anyone, I would, like, say has probably seen every dumpster fire that anyone could imagine because John worked at a lodge for a long time. Yes. And if you've worked at a lodge, like,

there ain't anything you haven't seen. So I'm sure John's like, oh, yeah. Dude. I told you not to cast there. So absolutely, like, fate. This is how the forces of nature work, You're you will both hit those targets right on. And And then is actually, I think what he said. He was like, dad is too. He's like, yeah. That's just... I told you not to do it. That's exactly what you're gonna do with... Totally. Totally. It's just...

It's it's Newton tony Physics, man, You can't let you can't argue it.

So to focus in on on on what rising of the fly does. So when you you you talked about, you're basically taking on the educate national, the financial. Basically, any barriers for any woman that wants to get into fly fishing.

So

how how does that look? So say,

do you guys go and find women? Do you solicit women? You talked about working with other organizations that may pull women in and then you kinda support that

organization? Where have you found your most success?

I think... So it's funny because... Again, sort of looking at the year. Right? Yeah. We started out, And I was like, oh, we're gonna have all these women and we're not gonna have enough gear. And super stressed out about that. Nope. We started out with everybody donating. Like, people donating their their gently used gear. We had all this gear, and we didn't have the women. Yeah. And I was like, oh,

okay. And then we started figuring out how to get that word out, and it was interesting too because I felt like,

the the barrier that we hit where that women were like, oh,

you know what? I bet there's someone who could use this more than me. Like, I don't wanna take it because I... And we're like, no. Like, this is the whole point. Like,

this one Yeah. And it was it was a surprise. It was, like, this one woman was, like, oh, we were gonna... I can't remember what were given her and she's, like.

No... Oh, yeah. Flo too. Thank you. And it was like, she's like, oh, you know,

I I just... I'm sure there's someone who could use it. I was, like,

you literally just told me you had to borrow money from your dad to pay rent. Like, come on. Like, this is nobody who needs this better. You know, like, You need a day on the water in this float tube.

Exactly. So, you know, that was sort of this this thing. And then we got to a point where it... We we developed the relationships with Cassie for recovery. And we just pitched it to and like, hey, we will come in after your clinics after you're done, And we will just say, hey. Did you have a good time? Did you... You know, you enjoy this?

We know that, you know, treatment is expensive. There's a lot of cost of this. If you are in need of anything, please reach out to us and we will help you. And we have gotten a lot of people through that type of model of going to, you know,

groups that that have put on events and have people that are new, and so they are coming out of it going, oh, yeah, That was fantastic. It was great.

So that sort of model has worked really well for us.

And then just sort of, like,

out throughout the year, we have been getting,

more people involved. I

was in Montana, my flight was canceled, and I was sitting there trying to think of things, and I thought of, like, you know, I'm sitting in Montana,

Bose, and I'm, like, thinking about this great university. I was like, yeah. You know who doesn't have money, college kids. Like, totally. Let's reach out to college. Yep groups. Yeah. And that's been... We've had some success with that. I'd love to have more success. We've had some good success with that.

So that's sort of been the the way that is working. Now we're sort of in the other way where the

donations are, like, had sort of slowed off, but the need from women has started to pick up. And so we're now we're... Back to focusing more on, like, getting the donations in and Yeah the both the actual gear and financial donations because

we have fantastic partnerships like, you know, that you guys that you and Matt have helped us out with where we can get

equipment for a discount, and that has helped really extend the amount of women that we can help. Mh.

Mh.

Yeah. And, you know, you said a few things there that, like, you know, most of my listeners know my involvement with cast open such and so do you is you you really hit on, like,

I don't think you're experiencing anything.

You know, there's

very common. I heard, you know, like,

a lot of people ask us, like, well, what can we do to help you support and I'm always like, send us kids.

Right? Like, it is like, Mh. You know, we found,

like, we get a few kids that just come to us,

like,

randomly.

Right? Like, I'm sure you just have a few women that come randomly, but Right. The biggest success is partnering with large

organizations that

bring

kids and mentors in, and then we support the programs

that they do. You know? And that is Steady eddy stream of kids.

And,

you know, it's...

You said another thing is it's like, we've we've run into times where we're, like,

we got more kids than money,

or we have money and no kids. And Yep. It's it's this...

You're always chasing the yin and the yang. Right? And Yep. Right. That is... I I would encourage you after

working and running a profit for fifteen years now, Like, don't let that discourage you because that is the bane of our existence.

So

it

it's kinda like, you know, you know, if you're a fly fishing guide, you're either working too much or you're not working at all. Right? It's kinda that. There's no middle ground ever. It seems like, you know. Yeah. So... Yeah.

So how...

You know, I was looking at the... You guys shared a graphic with me of

the number of women that you've served and kinda what you've done in the year one stats. And I mean, it's pretty it's pretty impressive. You have seventy two women in the program right now.

Yeah. It helps seventy two women. So

is it, like, do you guys keep tabs on these women and, like, follow up with them and be like, hey. How's it going?

Is it a...

Is there support for the women

And, like, I mean, you guys are very nice probably if someone calls you and ask a question, you're gonna answer it. But is there any...

Like, how does that work once they're in?

So one of the things that we've been kind of throwing around is, where are they now? Yeah.

Kind of thing. Right? So that's something that we really wanna get going in twenty twenty four. It's on our, you know, list of... Let's follow ups with these of them and let's see how how they're doing.

And sometimes, we'll get a response. And sometimes we want... We've done it a few times this year with a little bit of success. Yeah. But that's... I really... I think that's important, and I think it's also really interesting. We helped one woman

who

has just

exploded with fly fishing. And since July. And she's doing really, really well, and we had gone out and given her some casting instruction and just some tips, and she's just

fantastic. So that's been really fun to watch on social media? Yeah.

So... Yeah. So, yes. That... Yeah. Where are they now? That's my hope for twenty twenty four. Yeah. And I mean, it it you know, I can't say every kid we've brought in into Cast hope has turned into an amazing flying. So, I mean, it's like, you are

it's

statistically you're gonna have some wins and some losses. You know what I mean and I imagine you've already seen that in your first year.

So... Mh.

And and we we added to our website on our application

that we you do have to agree basically, like, if you decide it's not for you that you return, but we've donated so that it can go someone else. And Right. That's a requirement too. Which is totally fine. I was like, hey, You know what? If it's not. You tried it out. And you're like, yes. Isn't my jam. Like, that's totally fine. No judgment just send it back and we're good. It's like Yeah. We're glad that you got it. You gave it a shot.

And, you know, we've... I know in Cast hope, we've had to refine our process as well. I remember we gave out,

like, we we gave out a lot of fly rods and, like, Fly rod real setups,

one year to, like,

we would bring kids in for clinics and just give them gear, and it was like, Mh at the end of the year. I I forget where somebody... Somebody, like, saw one set up in a thrift store or some something like that, and it was wow. It was, like, oh, man. Maybe we need a vet, like, the kid's interest a little more before we dump beer on them. You what I mean? So like, Yeah. Yeah. Now it's like, you gotta participate in a few different things. You know, like, you just... You fine the process. Right? You find that sweet spot. You find... You learn how to read the people as they come in and,

you see the red lights or the green lights and and you just get better at it. Right? So I mean, that's part of the evolution of servicing people in general. So... Yep.

And we've had a few, you know, questionable,

like, really is this really someone who

need something or this just total Bs. Yeah. Are these people just cheap and don't wanna go buy something or pay for a guy trip or a lesson or whatnot. Yeah. What do they think they're gonna get some, like, eight hundred dollar waiters it's head Yeah. Yeah. Totally. You are not.

These... We've been... I think we've become pretty good. At it's sniffing out. Yeah. So... Yeah. Oh, that's... I I imagine you get hose once or twice, and you your radar gets pretty sharp. So yeah

So what do you see, you know, when you when you get these women in? I mean, I I mean, supporting the women

coming out of those organizations. I mean, that has to be

that has to be great because, like, you absolute need. Like, there's no question. Right? Like, if you're going through cancer treatment and all that, like, you are more than deserving of charity. Right? Like,

Right.

How, you know, see, like, this this woman who you found that barely paid rent or something like that. I mean, that's a big ask for someone to come to an organization

and be like, hey, I can't afford this sport. Can you help me out or, like, I'm not intelligent enough to figure this out on my own. Like,

that seems like a big hurdle for someone man or woman young or old to make, do you guys run into that as an issue? Or

I don't think...

You know, I think

I I think that when we're working with

organizations, they

I feel like they have done such a good job at setting these people up to be

successful and to not have any

sort of

concerns or shame or Yeah.

You know, like, more feeling like their charity, you know, case kinda thing, like, totally set them up of, like, you know, put them in a really good space. Yeah. They

come to us already sort of, you know, set up for that. That success and that sort of help. So I think for that,

it's it's pretty

and pretty successful. Yeah. You know, I think

we also, you know, Tim and I went you know, we are the people who actually do the vetting. Yeah. You know, we're pretty good at sort of... Like we said, sort, like T said, su out the bullshit, but also

not, you know, finding these people who really genuinely need our help and making sure that they're getting the support that they need and not feeling... Like, we're just super excited. We're like, this is why we're here. This is why we're Every once a while. Tell, like, we'll get a story and Tim and I are like, this is why we do this. You know, we're totally

we're so thrilled. So... And I think it would be harder to find those people because I think human nature is less likely to ask for the help that you guys provide. I I think the the one... The person trying to get something for free is probably an anomaly. I think people tend to

lean more towards the like,

No. No. I don't need the flow tube.

You know what I mean? Like... Yeah. So I I I I would imagine it'd be challenging to just find people. You know, that are willing or in need. I mean, there's people in need everywhere, but people that are willing to take it or

admit they. Well, like, that that's gonna be kinda ours. And I I think it's

so what was really sort of interesting and eye opening for us was this intro to flight kitchen clinic. Yep. We did an application process, and we had, you know, x amount of spots, and we had

thirty five applications. And we're were fully... And we did not expect thirty five applications. Yeah. Yeah. And so we did, you know, we spent a few hours going through applications and talking about,

the applicants

and the group that we had in the cloud,

was

phenomenal. Just How many I mean, that's like that's like you gotta make cuts from the team. Like, that's still exactly. It's very hard. Yeah. How many how many spots did you have?

So we had originally we had eight. Okay. Had a last minute cancel,

and then I can't remember what happened with the other

spots. We had one little who canceled, like a month out, and we talked about filling but we were nervous. It what was our first line. Well, I just asked because, like, I've I've I've coached

sports and been around sports my whole life where you, like, have to cut kids, and I'm always, like... If I can keep fifty, and I have seventeen

kids try out, that is way harder than if I have thirty some and I'm keeping an eight.

Like... Well, but it That's for us it really...

Traded the need Oh hell yeah. Of women totally like we need this beginner, how do we get started, How do we become independent? How do we take a Cli not? How do we... Write? Yeah so

we have this group of six women last weekend, and it was

everyone just totally clicked,

and it's funny. It's one of those things that kind of, like, a light bulb goes off in my head where I'm like, god, I can never be a guy that would be so tough And you know, all I wanna do is fish. I.

And and but but if you could see Julia and me on this last weekend when somebody caught a fish, it was like, I I I get... We get so stoked.

For women that they've... Yeah. And it's... And I get it. Right? I get how, you know, when you guys get all animated and excited to work, you know, with you guys. Oh, yes. If you ask those guides, like, at this point, I'd rather guide than fish, you know? And that's... But but it was like a light bulb before God, this is so rad. This is women are catching fish that just spend a weekend with us. Yeah. And that's awesome. It's...

Yeah. It was really cool. The other thing I think it helped us realize too is that... So this was an intro to fly fishing. So what we were looking for people who had, like, maybe one year. We had one gal who had never fly fish before ever.

So she was starting from scratch.

And she was she so great. They were all great. But but one of the things we we realized looking through the applications is there's a need for, like, more of an intermediate clinic. We were like, looking. We're, like, well this one's is not a beginner, but she's sat got a great story. We'd love to help her. And Yeah. So that also shine to light on, you know, there's other,

you know, there are other opportunities here for rising to the fly that, you know, we... We didn't even think about. Yeah. Mh. And... You know, that's kind of a thing that, like, I remember when I was in college in nearly early two thousands, I worked at fish first, and.

At that time, there was a lot of...

A lot of fly shops had, like, full

educational

programs. Right? Like, they would have all sorts of different classes. Right? It was, like part of the business. Right? Like, you you made money running classes and it was, like,

as soon as the Internet took off and you have a Youtube now. People are like, we do that shit anymore. Like, go watch Youtube videos, but it's like Right.

A lot of people still like to learn in person and do clinics and classes, and it was funny. I was talking to

somebody about this the other day. Like, I was, like, no one does classes anymore. You know what I mean? Right. Granted, if you walk on any college campus, like, half the classes are online now too. So I mean, it's like, probably a sign of the times. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but, like,

Yeah. There probably should be an intermediate fly fishing course that people can sign up for. Right? Like, that makes sense. Those were around a long time, You know, Aren't Dick Gallon used to do full slate at Clearwater of classes and clinics and

you know, master classes and this and that, and

those seem to have gone by the wayside. You know, I don't think everyone learns off Youtube. Right? You know? And I don't something about learning by doing. Yeah. Totally I was gonna say, I don't. Yeah. I just did a trip to

Louisiana, and I didn't know how to double haul. I'd never saw Waller fizz. I didn't know how to double all I was, like, and I'm, like, oh, and every time I was trying to find people to teach me you, it's like, oh, look on Youtube or totally to Youtube. And I'm like, I I I can watch this, I can watch it for hour. It doesn't. I don't... Like, it does... I need someone to just sit with me and just help me. And so, you know, needless to say, I did not learn how to double haul, and,

it wasn't an interesting

fun, but very humbling experience. Yeah. And and that's... You know, I don't... I don't...

I've just, you know, it's funny. I I think there's a need for that. Right? So like, it doesn't surprise me that you're like, wow, We should do more classes, like, I think people want that in general. You know?

I just...

You know, I don't know.

That's cool. So so that was your first one. That was that was clinic number one. K? So

I mean, obviously, there's a demand for it.

How are you gonna build out that program?

Are you gonna do?

I mean, what's the plan going forward? Because, obviously, you need to do more of them? Right? Like, I mean, that was probably Yep. A realization.

So what we did is we had a rising to the fly retreat. Yeah.

And we really mapped out

twenty twenty four

with... Damn, you guys are organized. Look at you.

With a few intro to fly fishing Yeah. Clinic weekends that we slated, and then an intermediate fly fishing clinic that we

have slated. I mean, we don't know where we don't have the details of it yet, but we really just wanted to get stuff

on the calendar for the year.

And so our hope... You know... For me... For me, and I think for Julia too, we wanna double everything that we were able to do. Yeah in our first year. So we wanna help... I mean, in in our brain, a hundred and fifty women for twenty twenty four would be amazing. Yeah. It might,

you know,

we'll see. But I That would be, like, out a phenomenal goal, and then in terms of clinics and just education,

you know, really ramp up what we did in in twenty and this year, which was only one weekend and then, you know, we did an intro to fly fishing Zoom.

Back in March.

But, yeah. We really wanna just ramp it up.

Yeah. And not. That with got weekends.

Well, you you've

Working... You're starting to figure out what works. Right? And Yeah. You know, once you figure out what works, you can put your energy into

increasing

what works.

So Mh. I mean, I I mean, I think a hundred and fifty women? I mean, how far do you guys The other thing is geographically. Are you are you in... I mean, obviously, it's... I don't know if you're national or not, But I we are. So national. So you can service and help them in throughout the country. I mean, I don't see why seventy five to a hundred and fifty is a unrealistic goal.

But I don't either, and, I mean, we have been... We have

sent Gear Ga to women,

you know, in New York and Georgia in

Arkansas in mississippi... Like, we have sent all over. So It's not... You know, we definitely did this first clinic in our backyard because Yeah. We're... It's the first one, But

we're definitely, you know, talking about doing one in Montana and, you know, doing one in Colorado and and, you know, definitely

just continuing to expand.

I also did a clinic with southern Oregon woman on the fly. Here.

Which was really good. It was actually a lot of fun, and it was some classroom time at Road Valley Anglers. They gave us their space to,

do some classroom time, and then we had, Rachel Andres due casting less in the next morning. And

then we got them out on on the rogue, and it was... It... They loved it.

As far as I know, I haven't heard anything other than that, and and it was a really good

not too long clinic.

That's great. Turtle fly fishing. If Rachel does that everybody love it. She's the most lovable person the face of the planet. Well,

fun fact,

Rachel is who taught me and how to fly fish in nineteen ninety nine.

Fun fact. Me and Rachel did a bunch of clinics together,

probably around that time. When we were both... I mean, I'm still a Scott Rod guy, but I think Rachel is as well, being just not officially or I don't know. But

we did massive amounts talking about old clinics. We did a bunch of clinics together.

And

I would always

make sure that I taught or talked first

because

at, you know, after I talked, there was no following up rachel because you're just like, yeah, I fuck, I'm... I'm a champ. What's up.

I'm just

I'm just a dirt bag from Nevada County and you just met, like, the most charming, you know,

cute, gorgeous southern girl you've ever seen in your entire life who can cast fish and pretty much do everything better than I can. So...

Yeah. She's one of the best teachers I know, and has been For twenty years if not more. So

probably in in my world, one of the first women that I was, like, oh, damn. You're a badass ass. And

she's... I mean,

she got into it young too. So... Yeah.

She's great to have on in kind of your your stable so to say, you know? Yes. Yeah.

So... So how, you know, obviously,

what is the fundraising plan for all this? Obviously, you know, part of that's talking about you know, how people can help you and support you and how are you guys raising money to make all this happen?

So

we have... Between... Blood sweat and tears.

Yeah.

So just so we all... We mapped out the rest of this year in twenty twenty four, we have giving Tuesday coming up. That's gonna be a pretty big one for us. Yeah.

Our fly fishing tournament in our first year did really, really well. So we're hoping to stand that for twenty twenty four.

We're really one of the big goals in my head is sponsors.

Mh.

For twenty twenty four, and hopefully get some grant writing going. Yes.

So

one did the stand that was reputation.

Oh,

there's a lot of good grants out there, man... You know, as as a member of Aft I would encourage you to check out the Fisheries fund and apply for the fisheries fund grants. I mean, those are always. They're not huge sums of money, but,

I mean, those

those will get the ball moving and, you know, to help you out. So those are always good. But grants are... I mean,

They're tough.

Yeah. When I always look at something when there's, like, people that make their living doing it.

He Like, it is a serious skill. You know what I mean? Like, when you're, like, well, we hired a grant writer, I'm, like,

What the fuck? How am I gonna ride a grant? That's it's like, well, we hired a surge and replace my knee. It's like, well, yeah. I'm not gonna do that on my own. You know? There's... So

I... Grants...

I have no...

They're an intimidating world, you know? And I Yeah love and hate them, mostly hate, but,

you know, it's kind of a tough.

And then, you know, again, the a lot of flash shops have been really supportive with Yeah. You know, donating used gear, putting barrels out. Totally. That is certainly helpful.

We do if we need a pair of waiters and,

you know, we'll we'll look on Facebook marketplace based, you know? Yeah.

See what we can find and same with boots and waiting staffs and, you know, everything else. So

we're getting pretty resourceful,

but mostly the fundraising is gonna come from giving Tuesday, the tournament, grants,

individual donors, sponsors,

get crossed.

Yeah. We definitely try to hit up the end of year, have major end of year day. Oh, yeah. Giving Tuesday.

I mean, that's that's a that's a that's a that's a holiday for nonprofit. You gotta work.

Yeah. Yep. And then we

I usually do

a couple of,

posts. T does all of our...

I set up the social media and then, turned it over to Tim Pretty.

Way to run something. Is that. Yeah. Yeah. Like, have someone who actually understands it, do it. Yeah. So

so that's been great. But, I have a couple posts. It's November four... Fifteenth is national recycle day, and that's one of the things I talk... I try to talk about of, like... Hey, if you donate eat your waiters to us, you're keeping it and out of a landfill,

you know, you don't donate eat your your recycling, you're you're you're not... You're keeping this out of a waste. And then

one of the other things I try to do is in December,

hit people up and and, you know,

for the end of year, and then alto in January,

hit people up with, hey, did you get some cool new gear. Do you have anything that you wanna retire? Like, you know Think Clean the closet clean the closet. Yep. Yep. Yeah.

Well, that's great. So there's there's definitely...

You know, and and I would encourage listeners if there's not a ben at your fly shop, Ask them for a Bend and they can reach out to you guys and get a bend in their local fly shop. And, I mean, That really goes for anywhere in the country. So...

Absolutely. Yeah.

So how, you know, kinda last how can

people

get involved mainly donate if they feel obligated or, you know, definitely women? I'd like to think some women listen to my podcast.

Or there's obviously men that know women. So how

assuming, hopefully, you know, not a bunch of his weirdo listening that don't know women, but you never know.

Who how can people get involved? Like, you know, how can someone apply or... I mean, you guys obviously need volunteers? Yes, for certain things or... Oh, yes. Yeah. We you... I mean, we need a grant writer. Yeah.

Well, it's...

Yes. If you need a grant writer. I I don't Yeah. I will definitely poke that if they come in as a volunteer just kidding.

Yeah. Oh, our website, we've tried to set up our website, which is,

rising to the fly dot com. Yeah. We've tried to set up with everything. Of, like, how to apply? How... Donate. We've got Paypal button on there a V mode button.

Right. You know, we've got, like, hey, if you've got something to donate

that, you know, here's the things that we typically look for, Waiters boots, Rods reels. That Of I thing. But, you know, if you don't see it on here, just shoot an email, and one of us will get back to you and, you know, I was, you know, a scouring Facebook marketplace and found a woman who had a pair of practically brand new boots for thirty bucks, and I reached out and said, yes, I want them and then we're nonprofit, and she was like, oh, well, not ten bucks off and here. Do you want these? I have these in my closet another pair booth. I was like, yes. Fantastic. So, you know, it's just

get it's a lot of work command. That's a lot of work than that. Yeah. I'm gonna be spending my Sunday driving up to Napa to get the boots and then driving back to Santa Rosa stuff to with another person to pick up and Rods and Reels. It's out... Yeah. It's it's a lot. It's and then I'm going to redding and get another pair of waiters. So... Yeah. It's definitely a lot, but, you know, it's it's what we do. So... But, yeah, their website. We've tried really hard to make sure that Cool.

Everything

that you could possibly want to know is on there. And that's

on there? Rising to the fly dot com. Right? Correct. Yeah. Rising to the fly dot com. Our...

There's a... Who are we, you know, page, you can click on a button and send us an email. Each t

myself,

we have two currently. We have two volunteers going in Emily.

So we,

and we're looking for more. So, yeah, definitely,

tried to make the the website as

as informative and helpful as possible. Yeah. It's a great website. I... I've I've dug through it, and there's definitely not... I didn't leave with questions. You know what I mean? Like I wasn't like, well, how the hell do I get involved in this. It's pretty straight straightforward. So

That's great. So rising to the fly, anything

anybody wants to do. I I would definitely encourage you to bug your local fly shop to throw a bucket out and, you know, collect donations because

that's an easy spot as someone buys something new. You can be, like, hey, put your old one in here and I'll give you this. Right? Like, that's great. What... Right. The South lake Tahoe crude. Like, that's a really good idea. So... Yeah.

Well, man, how do we find you on social media?

Instagram, we're at rising to the fly and Facebook. We're rising to the fly. So that's great. And you guys are pretty productive. So, I mean, if people wanna see what's going on and, you know, see what what you guys are up to. That's a great way to it I always like the stories you post about people that you've supported and such like that that's fun to see people

out doing stuff, you know?

So... Yep. Yeah have. Absolutely.

Well, cool. Well, I really appreciate your time and coming on, and I I definitely, you know, kudos to you too for taking this on as I know both of you or you're probably not independently wealthy and retired. So, you know, you're doing this. Yeah. Not yet. Yeah. There you go. I like that.

You know, you're doing this. I know Tim, you got kids, you're raising kids, and, you know, that's

anytime people take of their own time and give of them themselves on top of all the everyday stuff that we have, Like,

I'm always

always humbled and impressed because it challenges everyone to do a little more. You know, thank Well, yeah. I would say right back at you.

Supporter, and we couldn't do without you. Yeah. Well thank you. I appreciate that. I appreciate that.

It just... You know, you, you... I was taught a long time ago. You gotta get back, man. You know, you can't... You know, they can't be a take your whole life. So...

So we'll we'll have to follow up next year. And I'd I'd love to hear where you guys are at, and, hopefully, we'll we'll hit, you know, one fifty women involved and be flush with a grant writer that I'm jealous of, and that has made millions of dollars and

I will try to steal from you. So

fantastic. Yeah. Have goals. It is. It is. You know, so... Well, thank you everybody for listening.

If you wanna follow up with

any stuff on the show. Check out rising to the fly dot com, follow them on social media, and we'll definitely put out information and share anything that comes out. So thanks for listen, everyone. I appreciate you coming on and

talk to you next time.

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