United Women On The Fly - Heather Hodson

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Hey, everybody. Welcome to another exciting episode of the Barb fly fishing podcast. I'm one of your hosts, Nick cannon here with Chad A.

Chad, How are we doing?

I'm good. I got a quick funny story. Sound a... You look a little stiff.

Yeah. I fell in a shower

by six weeks ago, like, what old people doing.

Tomahawk walked my face and still having issues big time.

Like, it's been really bad today.

Anyway, I hear that. It's a whole another podcast.

But,

yeah. So I went fishing this weekend. I took my dad on Sunday, and it was

It was challenging. We went to A.

And what I learned on Sunday was that if it says it's ten ten to fifteen miles per hour wind in Chico. You just don't go to a because we got up there, and, I intended to fish this one spot.

And, there were two to three foot wells out on the lake with white caps. And now, mind you, this is June twenty eighth. Right? And it's supposed to be, like, close to ninety.

But it was really cold. It got around low fifties,

everybody had to basically play bumper boats in this Cove. And then I realized, I'm gonna have to rack the boat at some point, and the boat, it... There's no break for the boat and it breaks like,

when the waves are coming into the dock and the the the whole... The whole situation in some places they put these brakes. So the waves get stopped before they hit the the the dock and then everything else, make sure your your trailer issue... Your your trailer lanes, trailer easier. Yeah. Supposed to be bad. So first thing that happened that was bad was

I'm on the back of the... I'm on the back of the boat looking over the engine out at my, my setup and and my dad just started screaming. Stop stop stop, and I'm like, when am I supposed to stop for because it's on anchor lock, and I don't... I'm not, like, moving the boat. And I turn around and, like, if have you ever set up a a dome tent before, and, you know how the don't... Those those poles break down with a little bungee through them, and you just kinda pull them apart and it goes snaps snaps snap and it breaks down to, like a foot. Yeah. Well, the line wrapped into the trolling motor, and then the... And then I I got to turn around just as the the tip went into the trolling motor, and just pulled, like, a tent spike thing just

And I'm like, oh, shit. And I I stopped. I just shut everything down,

and I ran up there and, like, he's got... He's just holding the butt of the rod with the fly rod just slightly above the deck and the rest the fucking ro just wraps.

Just cock.

It's going around.

It's so I, like, I pull it apart. I, like, pull it apart and some miracle, the the fly line was okay, but, obviously, the the lady

trash. Yeah. And he was so embarrassed, but I was like, don't worry about. I should have told you. It was a echo base anyway. So those are, like, you know, they're pretty disposable. They they got about. Great Rods. It the great great Rod. It's just a good... It's a it's the best one that you can put in your trolling motor.

Because they're they're easily rep replaceable. So then they yeah asked so that happened. And then these... And then the swell kicked up,

and there was no... Hardly anyone was catching fish, and I was like, alright. Let's just get out of here. And

So I'd to rack this boat with with the sw two foot. Well yeah. So if it's really rough,

normally, I just hand my boat on and it's faster for me.

Couldn't do that today that day, so I had to, like, drive it on, which I normally don't do. And I've got a jet and a jet

it's either, like, putting thrust out or it's not... It's not like, a a... It's not like a prop that just kinda bites into the water and as you apply as you apply force to the prop actually goes in delay on the jet. There's a huge delay. And it and it...

There's just, like, it's either on or it's off. So it's very difficult to feather it and finesse it. So I've got

in that situation, you you you have to, like, just basically put your skid into the water.

And then brad jam the boat up on the on the thing. So imagine, like, a good

twelve to eighteen inch,

you know, pitch and y'all on the boat.

And I had to set it up so that the skid were in the water, but when the when the surge would go down, the skid were actually exposed, like, two inches on the very back. But then the swell would come up. So you had to ride the way. Had the trailer. I had to, like,

I had to ride the wave on the trailer. Get everything and it took me only three tries. I got super lucky. But the third tri racked it perfectly, and my dad just like, super impressed. That was cool.

And we got out of there. That's the end of that story.

Holy Cow.

Excited. Yeah. Boating boating on a lake. I mean. Boats go down all the time on that lake. Yeah. Big waves come through and can sync sink a boat fast. Yeah. He was he was telling me because he he used to have a cabin up there a long time ago. He said there was one one year, like, two thousand six or something thing. They... It's sunk nine boats one night. Yeah. Yeah. Well. So if you're take your... You take a sled out there or something that's not really built to cut through wake, do not

by any means, take your boat out there without something It's the a whole design that's gonna carve out

through that stuff because you can easily easily sink and, in some big trouble.

Well, I... Obviously, you guys are hearing another laugh on the line and I wanna introduce her in a second, but before I get into that, I just wanna remind everybody, go check out Cal trout

there been a great sponsor. They're a great

organization that does more for our fisheries here in California than you could possibly imagine. And if you have kids and and wanna get them out fishing and wanna see them, you know, be successful. Like, we have

get on to Cal out and become a member It's... I I think it's critical and they're doing again, more more for us in our fisheries and than ever. So

please get please get on and and support them. But without further ado, I wanna introduce our guest.

I'm excited to have her wrong. I've been trying to get her on forever, and you'll you'll find out why it's it's been a little tough when we get into this, But,

Heather

Hot, did I pronounce it? Sure. You did. Perfect.

She's she's is the founder of United women on the fly, and

the she's... What I think of is the the dancing fly fishing queen of against of Instagram.

If I'm having a bad day, and I'm scrolling through my feed and every once in while I'll see Heather on there, you know, just just jamming in and bus busting and improve doing something funny and fun, and it was interesting because I started, you know, googling you to come up with some information to talk about

today. And one of the things that of of many that you've done, you... It says that you... It says expert at having fun and dancing, line dance champion of nineteen ninety eight.

Is that yeah. That really... Let's just grab the a agenda and and talk about how you became

I do.

Well, you know... Like, in the nineteen nineties, that's when Brooks has been done, like, all of the... You know, all, that was when country was super popular or not that it's not anymore, but

Yeah. So I actually was a rodeo photographer also.

And so I... Just to get back behind the chute, so I could sell the cowboys and all the wrangler. And so at that time, yeah. I did lined dancing scene and to I was still in high school, and I have my little boots and a little Brooks done flame shirt, and I actually

won that, like, all throughout the Pacific Northwest, and I went to Pi beach, California for, like, the world or the national championship for lang

In nineteen say ninety eight. And so I still... It's... Yeah. I just... It's all about having fun, and I think with fly fifteen specifically.

It's, you know, people can be so serious or so h twenty or so curious. And to me, man, I just wanna have a good time. I'm out there because I enjoy it and I need need the getaway, and it's all about having fun. So Dancing is for sure. I'm real... I'm willing to rock the boat. So...

Heather, I've got... I got a buddy that's a bra. He he used to do bro back in the day. And told me some just crazy stories? Is there one... What's the craziest thing you've seen a cowboy do?

Oh my god.

Well, I don't know how... If this is a family show we might know wanna talk about down. You said the

so You're good. Good.

I'm trying to think I don't know

the craziest thing that

I guess, you know, we... So I grew up in Rich build, Washington kind by fresh prairie mount Helens area. Mh. And there was this gal. Her name was Kim, and she had a big huge bar that they buck out every Tuesday and Thursday, so all the bull writers and bro riders could go and practice.

And so there was definitely a lot of just naked running around and stripping and having fun and just like, yeah. Just just craziness, but fun. You know, just being being kids is what we were. And

kind of adults, I guess, kidd ish. But, yeah. Just just being goofy and not caring, you know? Just... Yeah, Having fun. Not caring. Not kid... Just doing ourselves, you know. Okay. But to our regular schedule program.

That's a whole And that brings me, like, photography. Like, I do with ton of photography too especially with fishing. Yeah. And,

that... So I think my rodeo photography with my little thirty five millimeter camera and all that really kind of brought me into

my love and passion for just taking photos out on the water too. So... Yeah. So if... For those who don't follow, go check out, it's Northwest Fly girl. Right? Is Handle? Correct. Yeah. Is. So How did you come up that? Because I I I don't even remember how I... Why I named myself Nor cal fly guy, but

it's funny because they'll be out on the water somewhere. And then somebody's like, hey, Nor fly guy, and I'm like, what? No. I don't even know. Literally. My name

Well, or even Eric will be going into a shot, my Fiance, and which is so weird to say anyways, But they'll be like, oh my gosh. Your you're dating Northwest fly girl. Not like that it's Eric. It's just who he's dating. It's pretty funny. Especially the girls that work in the fly shop. But,

you know, I

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I was born in Alaska, but then have really been in the Pacific Northwest my whole life, and so I fish the Northwest, and

that's why I didn't want it to be, like, spokane, you know, fly girl or Washington Fly girl. I just wanted... I love the Pacific Northwest that's kinda how I came up with it. So... Gotcha. And you walked and you were

we brought know, Mc Mill on onto the show and he's he's been killing it for us and and and himself He's doing a great job. He you were there fishing, like, the week or two before Chad and I came up and and fished with him weren't you?

Yeah. Thought well, I was up on

op p... Yeah. Like, in... I think... Or February or January. I think you guys came up a couple weeks later. Okay. And we had spectacular weather,

like, some of those beautiful weather ever. We stayed at Cl lock lodge, and it's like, like, oh, I could just live there forever. But,

you know, it's still heading. So Eric caught... We caught one with our group and two or three days of fishing, all in the swing, and that's, like, that's an accomplishment. So it was... So is so beautiful to, like, touch those warriors. You know, touched those special fish. So Yeah. It was a slur do up there. Did you fish with John?

No. No. You know, I've never finished with John. I... He came to spoke spokane

Oh, man, like, five or six years ago and did a great presentation

for us, for, like, travel to unlimited and for the wild still head,

while steel headers. And

but I've never fished with them No. I've actually... I mean, it kind I think I didn't pitch with them. Oh No. I visited my... No. I visited my dad and with Eric Eric. So Eric. John actually kinda do look a little bit of, like, a little bit. Yeah. And they that's what threw me on. I was gonna see. Yeah. If you'd seen them do a cast before.

No. I... Well, I mean, I... Whatever I've seen, like, you know, via social media, but I've never fixed with them. So... Well, it was a little... It needs a little work, but overall true. It's it's unreal. It I didn't even know with Casting until he told me because it's so fluid. I... I've never seen anybody execute it like he does. It looks like it's android, like, waiting through the water and casting the line. Like he does everything he does look like the terminator, the terminator it was programmed of, like, to cast sp He does it effortlessly on both occasions. It's it's pretty remarkable. Well... Yeah. Those are all things that we aspire to do. Right? Like, face fake casting is definitely in art. That's for sure. He he moves through... He moves through the forest like a Vie con, and he cast like the terminator.

Oh, I love it.

Well, Heather, hey, Tell us tell us about United women on the fly.

I I think it's it's an us... It's... Well from what I've read, awesome organization. I think it's fantastic what you're doing,

tell tell us about it. Tell our listeners you know, how do how you started it.

You know, where you're at today and what you've learned and, yeah, just... Yeah. Yeah. So it's... See I wanna fly. It's it's... First of all, it's United. Like, we as Anglers are United. It's not United States

because we have women from all over the globe that are part of this awesome community. And basically, I call it my passion projects

because I have a whole other job that I'm sure we'll get into, but have my real job and this is what I love to do.

I started a women's group in Spokane in, like, two thousand and fourteen that's affiliated with Chat Unlimited, and it's called Spokane women on the fly. And it's... At that time, you know, I mean, women have ours always been in flight machine, but with social media, it's really just kind of exploded the accessibility

and people being able to see a photo and recognize

themselves in that, whether they're tall,

blonde or their skinny... You know, skinny or, you know, whatever their sizes their age, whatever.

I think that's part of the reason why social media has really brought

women in fishing out, honestly. I mean, we've always been fishing, but I think it's that. And so with the camera on the fly, it was really popular and people wanted to start something very similar to it all over the world. And so with that, so it wasn't limiting to the name. I just created United women on fly, and that was in

September of two thousand sixteen.

And, basically, what it is is it's just a a community of Anglers

mostly women or... You know,

that we just create a safe all inclusive space for, people to connect, you know, if they want to go couch their if they wanna go to Tasmania,

There's women in Tasmania, Australia that they can connect with.

You know, or connect online or wherever. And,

all about education, You know, there's a lot of crap out there. If you look at a lot of Youtube videos or whatever,

I'm all about, like, good quality

education and sharing

anything out there with, like, F ssi and casting or all of the good stuff. I want people to see.

And then resources, like,

I created this

math on our website, and we have over a hundred different

listings of women's groups and organizations all over the world. And so you can go onto to the site and you can say, hey, I wanna look in the pacific Northwest. Click on Washington and there's eight different women's groups that are in Washington

and so you can connect with people. Very cool. And so just... Yeah. Just creating a way for, you know, people to feel safe and and see themselves in photos and be like, oh, I can do that. I can get out, I can fish. It's a trauma free because I don't want all that Bs. You know, I wanna just have fun and and make everybody feel welcome. So...

And I was just looking at stocks. It's really interesting. So we have obviously, social media, Instagram is huge.

With those Facebook, and I know a lot of younger people aren't necessarily on Facebook, but it's really good for creating a group. Mh. And so we have this private closed group, and we have thirty six hundred and eleven members.

And as of today, this is really cool. So three thousand one hundred and fifteen members are active.

So that means eighty six percent of those women in that group are active.

So, like, just talking or communicating, asking

hey. I need a long netted... A long handled net. You know, what do you recommend? What about waiters? You know, I'm a I'm a larger person. What waiters fit you?

I mean, we even get into, like, feminine stuff that happens on the river that you could never talk about, like, you know, Like, these are things that we... As women need to talk about. Like, we're in a sports bra, salt salt fishing. Yeah. Like, what do you wear? You know, like that kind of stuff. So it's really cool

to just see this blossom and

and people have a lot of ownership in it. And, like, I I doubt even probably those thirty six hundred women, probably only I cancel even know that I started it because I try to just let it roll. Right? Like, I don't wanna be the the person upfront. I wanna be just as part of the community. Yeah. And I just want people to feel like they're a part of something and that they're being showcased

and appreciated. So it's really awesome.

One of the things I I noticed I... When I brought up your website? What is the website by the way for for you doing offline? Yeah. You can go to your united five dot com or u w o t s dot com. Okay. Cool. And then what's the most group? Called on Facebook.

Just... You know, I went on the fly. Okay.

Yeah. So I I brought up the website and it and it instantly went to a, a,

news video from Nbc.

And and one of the first things you said was,

one of the first things you said was,

you know, I don't know what it is. Women listen, you know, or something like that. And I and it caught my ear because I did some instruction fly fish instruction, you know, back in the day and I still try to do it as much as I can with kids, but

you're you're totally right. Like, I... All the women that I taught in those classes. Like, they were the ones that were casting the best by the end of the day. Yeah, it wasn't the wasn't the guys. It was the girls and the women doing it. And and I always wondered what the heck that is it just because they're, you know, they're better at this or and you kinda hit it on a head. They they... I think they listen, but, you know, more than more than the men.

Oh, yeah. I could do that, whatever. You know?

Yeah. So... So

a little side story behind that, so I actually, the opening line, and this is quite funny because I'm pretty sure I'm the only person ever on National television to say this, I said, we drink beer. We pee in the woods and we hang out. And I'm like, oh wait. Frankly created a bumper sticker like a sticker of that, and it sells out all the time because people are like, yeah. You know, pee in the woods

drink.

Oh, pretty funny. Anyways, Not That's awesome. I mean, seriously just talking in the few minutes of talk. I'm like I gotta get in a nicole. You know, she's my Fiance, I agree with you. I do not. I do not like saying that we're at all. Yeah. That's where that takes. It takes a a few to to grow into. You know, It's totally. It yeah feels very strange when you first start saying that. Yeah. But I like I'm like, okay. I'm gonna go home, and I'm gonna get her... I'm gonna get her set up with all this because I think it's fantastic what you're doing.

Yeah. It's it's so fun. And you know, I honestly believe that all

people should not learn from their significant other, or there's very few that can really learn from your significant other.

So, like, connecting her with other people, you know, to learn and to cast, and just to have fun. And

yeah. It's

it's all about, yeah. Having fun. Like, that's obviously my motto, and it's true. So I Yeah. I agree with you know,

not always trying to fish with your significant other because

There's

it's like,

you know, your time is your time, your personal time, your personal time and sometimes, you know, from a guy's perspective, you just wanna kinda get away, you know? Totally.

And I think that probably goes for women as well. Right?

Yeah. Yeah. If if you're... If you insist on tagging along with your significant other, you should try and get self sufficient as possible as as quickly as possible, like, learning how to tie knots and things like that so that that person that's taken, you can enjoy their time on the water, you know? You know, that's such a great... That's a great point. So when Eric and I... Well, so our our little story is we drank two bottles of whiskey, we nerd out on Bamboo fire rods, and we... That... The rest of history. Right? Between him and I, five years later. And... That's cool. I I remember I asked him that night, obviously, after some whiskey, and I was like, hey, would you ever data girl at fishes. And he's, like, absolutely not. I was never dated girl at fishes. And I was like, well, I would never date anybody that doesn't fish. You're out of whack. Right? And so we both ate our words And and part of that and the reason why he said that is because you know, he guided for wrong time. I mean, he's was of An. And he doesn't doesn't wanna have to be a guide, you know, to somebody else. And so it was good for him. Like, our first date was I took him up to

you know, our local water gave him a six pack of beer pizza and I was like alright. I'm gonna drive your ass around and show you my water. You know? So Yeah. It's totally totally different, but I I do agree with that. I think becoming a little self sufficient, especially for the enjoyment of everybody is really a huge point. Yeah. What do you think the biggest biggest struggle is

for women

getting in the fly?

Finding waiters that fit

I've heard that before? So

you know, safety. I think,

stacy is a huge part of it,

I would say that within spokane, my women's group, we probably have twenty percent of women that fish and their husband don't.

So for them, it's great because they can find a group that they can go out and be safe on the water with.

And, you know, there is a lot of urban fishing, like, the Spokane River. I

I

won't go down there by my stuff. You know? I mean, the river brings some interesting characters.

And

as far as, you know, just plain it safe in being in the water waiting,

you know, I think safety is a huge part of it honestly, and just finding your finding your group that you can be to go with and and be safe honestly. Do do you guys wear P d's with anything or do you just

you... I... On... It's required on the Soc spokane River as anybody floating.

Now in high water,

I definitely wear a Ps for sure.

And I... Were my big ones, but I have a small one too that I'll wear, but I always use it waiting staff also. When I first started, and I was young,

I was like, oh, that's so, like, old woman ish. Right? Like, I was like, oh, that's just not cool.

And now I'm like, oh, man, who cares? I wanna be safe and, like, secure.

And so,

awaiting staff, I think is is huge, especially because I'm five ones. So I'm not very tall. And some of those rivers can suck me in if they're deep. So

yeah. So it just all kind of depends on the water and my ability.

Sometimes I go in a little deeper than I should.

But as you guys know, the reality is is you should... I mean, you shouldn't even step in the water sometimes. Like, those fish are right there at your feet, and especially with face space and, like, for steel head, you know, I... I'm a decent caster, but when I go with other people that can cast further, I tend to catch just as many fish because a lot of those steel head are in thigh in the inside seat. Mh. And so,

stepping out too much,

is not necessary. And, people don't always think about that or realize that, I guess. So... Yeah. And if people are wondering what P is, we're talking about personal

flotation device.

And if you're thinking about that one for, like, high water

for fishing.

I actually... When I got my kayak, I had to find a vest, and their Nr and others make kayak vests that four fishing,

So it's actually kinda cool because you can get a kayak vest a fishing vest that you can actually walk and wait with too because it's got set up for all this p. Yeah. Yeah. It's set up for

fishing best. So that's... Like, a a good idea, and especially for someone like myself that falls in showers. So I'd out a time before. I I go down.

Totally no. That's a great. I'll look that up and actually share it with the girls because it's yeah. That's huge. It's super important.

Yeah. We just... I think we we spoke briefly about it, Heather, but we did a... Our last episode was being a black man in fly fishing with Alvin Did. Is that they say that? Yep. Yeah. And, I... You know, I kept thinking about just ways that I can help. People that are afraid to, anybody. Whoever it is. You know, I was just like, who can I help that's afraid to go out and doesn't go out by themselves because they can't, you know, whatever it is? And and made me think about a friend of mine. She's

seventy two.

Tiny little thing. Very short, very small,

you know, the hard for her to get out and weighed in places. And

we we were talking and I talked to her about the hex hatch. This May fly hat. That comes off on, like, more here locally. And she's like, I've never fish. And I'm like are you kidding? Like, let's let's do this. Let's go. And so I was doing a family trip, and I invited her, you know, along, like, to come out and fish the Evening hatch and cole like, wait, what? What it you know, she's coming. Like... Yeah. And so I had I had the baby, you know, four baby, my two year old Nicole in the boat, and then,

our friend that came along with us, and who had never finished the hex and so I was helping her get all set up and get out there. Long story short, she

it was getting dark and the hatch was coming off, and we were right next to in our boat. She's in a flow tube and boom. She sticks a fish on a dry.

And lets out this big old scream, and she's laughing

and she's just having, like, the most amazing time and I was like, Nicole was like that that was so cool. I can't believe that all just happened like that. You know?

And we were pretty far away from the the boat launch at that point.

This Covid, and a lot of the campground have been shut down. So we were way far away out. Like, alright. Career, Did. I gotta I gotta tow you back in, you,

say whatever. Yeah. But. I got... I tied a rope onto her overflow tube and and towed her all the way back, and she she went it back in and clean the fish, and and she kept talking, you know, reminiscent and about her dad being, you know, hitting her in a fly fishing and

She cut the fish open, and was talking about how her dad. Used said do that and check what was in it. And she had this hand. She was like, oh, she let to scream out. Oh, my

And she had this handful of hex in her hand. You know, The come It was it was an incredible amount of bugs. I couldn't... I was could I've said I've said some of these fish are so gordon that I think they got a pound of. Yeah. It was it was

amazed and just, like, laughing just the way was when she hooked the fish. It was just a a a really cool

experience. And so I'd... That's one of the reasons I wanted to have you on the show to talk about this because I think, you know, we should do more of things like that. Right? And get these people out and get them out and get them on the water. Yeah. So we can. First

totally. And I think thinking about... Well, essentially right now with everything happening in the world,

it's good to think about resources too, like, you know, we you know, you have your... Our we have our rods and the of all of our equipment, but there's a lot of people that might be interested that don't have that. So, you know, maybe train to reach out

to local

people in your organization or your community that are less

privilege than us and that we can maybe take them out like that. You know, or shown them how to cast or what our... Or go to the local dish and go catch bath or sun fish or Blue Guild or whatever. And

yeah. I would like to see and I bought kinda one of my goals in the next year so is just to do more of that,

and really reach out to people that that don't have that opportunity or don't have a boat. You know, we're very... I'm very blessed for sure. And

I'd like to, like, take others out and and show them how amazing this is and hopefully get them plus as blow up. So... Yeah. It says you've taught over five hundred Anglers english. In the last five years, is that is that number accurate? Or is it possible...

More. It's high more now. Yeah.

So... Because I was teaching classes

through... You know, like, thirty thirty women at a time. At now I'm doing a lot more C stuff too because I feel that

you know, women like to have... As a beginner, it's really great to be in know all women's class, like a one zero one class or even an intro to fly machine because you feel a little more comfortable, but as you become a little more proficient, you can speak the lingo, I really feel that it's important to incorporate everybody together. So, like, a two zero one or other classes because at that point, it doesn't matter, you know, like, you you have somewhat of an understanding, and that,

fairness or intimidation is a little bit less. And so I've been teaching a lot of c stuff. I've doing a lot of cats and classes and private lessons, and that kind of stuff. With guys,

And it's funny because

women are much more,

apt to, like, be very verbal about wanting

information and education. And I think guys wanted as well, but they're less apt to say that they wanted especially coming from a woman. Mh. And so it's been really fun

just to see, like, how that's changed and how especially guys like, in Spokane in my area are just so open to learning from whoever. They just wanna... Their sponge. Everybody is. Everybody wants to learn something more. You know? So it's really cool.

So how... Yeah. I I have to ask all the question. How is Covid Mh

impacting this whole thing for you?

Yeah.

Tremendously,

I basically canceled

I don't know about so many casting classes, and

we had a trip to para Lake, that was canceled. So everything's been canceled.

Big, you know, big trips Alaska trips. I have a trip in Christmas island where I'm hosting sixteen women and I'm in off October, and I'm pretty sure that's not gonna happen.

Yeah. I... Secretly, I'm hoping that they open it up, like, the week before we go so that fifteenth absolutely epic. But,

the reality is is, you know, there's thirty two hundred people

in christmas, like, care audience, but, I mean, if we brought something to them, we could decimate them. And it's just not...

So, yeah. We've definitely been affected

lots of,

zoom stuff. And, you know, the cool thing actually is for... What I'm trying to do every, Monday is,

create an email So I send out an email every Monday about all the virtual events that are happening,

or that I can find or that people have told me about. So it's not even affiliated with you And I went on the fly, but it's again, a resource. So it's an email showing, you know, like, there's these casting webinars where there's, like, April V is doing all these really great free webinars on all kinds of stuff. Mh. So just sharing all of that information. So

for me, it's definitely... I've I've met a lot more organizations and all about sharing the love, but been real... I mean, in a weird way it's been good. You know, There's Right. A little bit of a silver lining too. To all of this. So...

And I'd stayed home. Like, I'm usually,

I'm usually gone. So it's been nice. My dog doesn't even know what to do with me because I'm I'm home so much swear. So

and that sense it's been good. Well. How do people sign up for the women out there listening? How do they sign up or husbands that are wanting to get there

significant into this? What what Yeah. How do people sign up for those classes or virtual classes or learn more about?

Yeah. So there's a email that they basically just go on the website u w t f dot com. Sign up for the email list. And then they... It's all free. So...

And then the classes is, it's under

education. So if I do... I'm gonna be I don't know. I'm kinda kicking our around the idea of doing some virtual online stuff.

Obviously, the casting parts can be a little more difficult, but

yeah. So you can find stuff in education, and the women's, the Facebook group. Everything's free. Like, this is all just a community. So you just ask to join. And

if you're a woman and you identify it or if you identify as a woman,

and if you agree to know drama or back scene like J any type of bashing in you're in. So pretty easy all freaks.

One of the things,

I think we should good time to dive into as we're talking about Covid is you're you're an a a nurse, right, up in Washington,

and

I have a funny story just in regards to that. I was on the river years ago. I was just in high school still and I kept running into this guy. He was out there all the time. I was I'm playing Hook trying to catch steel head and and he was always in the spot and I'm like, hey. What what are you doing? Are you retired or what what are you doing? And he's like, oh, man. I'm I'm a nurse. I'd, Three days on and four days off. And and I'm like, wow. That's cool. That's what I wanna do. If you know if I can give more time on the water.

So I think it's an awesome just balance of life that you have, you know, you you get to, you know, to you obviously have that caring nurture about it about you and you get to help people, but you... In in many ways, not only in your practice, but also with, you know, the fly fishing and having that that balance of life, I think is is awesome. Can you talk about that for a little bit because I think it's super cool. Yeah.

So well, they say fly fishing saves lives and obviously, so is nursing. So it's kind of definitely a good balance for sure.

And what I see and what I do, I definitely need to... An outlet and I need to get out on the river where it's no alarms or anything. But...

So I've been a

critical care nurse since for almost fifteen years now, and I graduated from W few

in spokane, so Washington State University.

And I I've always been an adrenaline junkie, and so I actually started in the ice to you, trauma Icu as soon as I graduated. Wow. So I've always been in the Icu, Cardiac Icu. And currently, I'm in the Cath. And so what that is is a

if any... Like, I'm on call this weekend. So if anybody in spokane has a heart attack, then I have thirty minutes to come in and take care of this patient. So I'm I'm scared shit list, honestly, every time I come in because I never know what I'm gonna get what I'm coming into.

And that keeps it real for me and that keeps it

it going. You know, like, I always seeing or doing new things. But

so with my work it's kinda interesting because I did... I used to work full time. And then I went to part time. And then I was like, well, how can I create my life where I go P or as needed? So right now, I'm per diem

with in the Cath lab. So really my contractor my what my requirements are to work forty eight hours every six weeks. Now, granted, I have to work more, obviously.

I figured it out. I have to work eighty eight hours a month in order to pay all my bills and still save for retirement.

So I basically choose my life, so I have my calendar, like, twenty twenty is already planned and twenty twenty one's is already booking up, and,

I choose my life, and then I'll plug in shifts around my life.

And,

you know, it was really scary to kinda go per diem,

I've been doing it like, six six years now.

And Scary in the fact that if I don't work, I don't get paid. So, like, when I go on vacations or if I get sick, I don't get paid. But to me, the flexibility

and, being able to to live my life the way that I wanna live it is still worth it.

So that's that's kinda the way that I am, you know, right now. And Covid been really interesting because

you know, being in Washington, obviously kind of the first area. I'm in Eastern Washington, so we we weren't, like Seattle where we had all the initial Covid cases.

But,

at that time, the hospital I work at is was one of ten. Now everybody takes care of covid patients, but that could take care of infectious diseases such as Covid ebola or whatever. And so we had all of the princess patients that came from Seattle flown to spokane in, like, late February.

And so we prepared for ourselves, so I actually got a bunch of training on

retrain on new ventilators and retrain on all the Covid for

and

definitely, like,

isolation practices and making sure that we don't, you know, get sick.

And

so... But for me, I actually got laid off because I ended up because I had a supplemental and they canceled and close all of the

procedures.

So... We're all the, like, non emergent procedures, so I was laid off for a while.

So just to call and

took care of a ton of sick Covid patients that are having heart attacks and this scary. It's still scary. I mean, we're our numbers are going up, and

people are becoming up much more lax, which is scary in itself. Mh

But it's... Yeah. And it's funny because It's like the Vietnam war. Right? Like, people had this

like, or like, feeling of pride and duty that they had to enroll. You know, like, go into the military. And for me being a critical care nurse, I have the

pride and the duty, and I'm one hell of a good nurse that I wanna go and take care of patient. And with me being laid off, It's, like, oh, my gosh. I'm this I icu nurse, and I'm

my skills are going to waste, you know? And which is a good thing because we're not having the flux like everybody's thought we would, but I almost went to Louisiana. I almost went to New York, and then Eric was like, I really don't you know, I want you to. And

it was the first time, honestly that, like, I... Because I'm such an independent person, and so

I just do what I want. Like, that I actually listened, and I was like, okay. I guess I should respect my significant other and you know, just stay at home. But you feel this kind of sense of beauty, and well, As a health care professional. Anyways, I do. Like, I need to to help and I need to, you know, do everything that I can. So

and interesting.

No. I I've been hearing that a lot. Actually, lately because I I do have a lot of friends that are in the nursing field and

I didn't... They were telling me that they were they weren't working. I was like, wait, well ahead. I I didn't understand that and then started hearing more and more about it that

they're just the cases were low, you know, and there just wasn't... Nothing was happening so there wasn't a need. But so you're saying that's changing rapidly in Spokane?

Yeah. You know, our numbers,

like, everywhere are going up. And it that part of the, you know, phases and everything.

And part of it is, you know, at first, it was really... It was elderly patients. And now it's younger. Like, I'm forty, so younger, you know, I'm that forty is definitely young. But, you know,

you know, like, we're seeing younger patients because,

people are going out, going to the bars, you know, and being a little... And being careless honestly.

So it's it's really important. Like, boot or... And I think california too, but Washington just mandated that everybody wears a mask, you know, if you're indoors. Too. Yep. Yeah. And I, you know what... I'm actually thankful of that because I felt really awkward

it's, you know, like, going into this at first, going into the grocery door And wearing a mask. It just felt so weird.

And now because it's mandatory. I don't feel weird. And so it's how I actually like it and so way more comfortable now. It's weird. I don't I don't know if you put guys felt that way, but it was just awkward. It's, like, going into, you know, some place you're not supposed to. You're just still weird. And I felt that way wearing a mask going into a store at first. And

now I feel a lot better about it. So I don't know.

Yeah. I just, wanna point out since we're talking about Covid numbers, it's it's June t,

twenty twenty. Just so Yeah. If you guys listen in, you know, four weeks or something and, your... Wait and you're, like, wait. It's going up. I thought it was going down. So it's Yeah. Twentieth f twenty twenty.

Yeah. No. That's a that's a good point. Yeah.

So do... Do you wear a buff or do you wear a mask?

I wear a surgical mask, and I'll tell you why,

because I know it's a lot of foot from me that are wearing their bus around. I see and, you know, been seeing them. Which is which is awesome, but, also, I'm... You know, I... A little fact about me. I was science soon as the year in college. So I am Uber nerdy. Right? Super nerdy.

So median, like, I love statistics, I love math. I love science.

And,

right now, you know, most cloth,

masks,

only protect you from three percent of particles. Right? So meaning, like, ninety seven percent of particles can spray through. Alright? And then... Which is still better than nothing.

But a surgical mask is forty four percent. So to me, I'd much rather wear something so much higher in percentage.

And, nine... The n ninety fives that everybody had some issues, you know, like, trying to get, that's ninety five percent. So to me, I wear a surgical mask.

But if you don't have one because there is, you know, like, as far as resources go, you can't get one. Then definitely a buff or a cloth mask or anything is gonna be so much better than nothing. So... Right. Yeah. I just am... I'm nerdy, and I I just... And I have access to those due to the hospital or they're more successful now. I just bought a box on, you know,

actually at Rite Aid. And so you can buy Max. I just think that they're safer honestly. Gotcha. I think I was just to... Yeah. They haven't talked to anybody that's on kind of in the both realm. So I thought I would your in your input on that, but that's kind of

expected to hear

to be honest Yeah. Boss. I mean, and people are using, like, triple layer material, and that's putting filters in. So obviously, that's gonna be much better.

But above, I don't know what the per... You know,

it could be different. It could be different quality or cloth or part, you know, like, what's the microns that it can, you know, go through blah blah blah. But

if you can use a surgical mask, that's just gonna be... It's gonna protect you and others more so, I think in cloth. And that's my... Just reading all the statistics and all the numbers. So and the research. So... So what... Yeah. Once this Covid thing is over, we're where are we going? Where where's is the where's the next... Oh,

let's see. Well,

we were actually Gonna go with Sure and not see for Honeymoon. They were gonna join us on our honeymoon.

To Argentina for Golden Auto, which that was gonna be December, and that I don't think that happened. Everybody's going. I wanna go.

I'm such addicted to top water action, Like, if I can catch anything on top water. I'm one hundred percent.

So that... And then

my... I I do with these crazy adventure... Not crazy, but I do these adventure running races,

and

we got

postponed until November this year was supposed to be in Costa Rica. And so, hopefully, November it'll will happen in then New Zealand for running race flash fishing in next year. So I have some trips plans. Cool. We'll see if they happen. If they do, they do if they don't, you know,

it's what it is and there's so much great water locally that

I can find places to go. So you know. What's been your favorite

trip so far or story that you have in your adventures you've been taking. And I know that you guys... You and... When I say you guys, John and and the tea guys All went to Russia last year right together? Yeah. Yeah. We did... That was... Oh, god. That was an experience. Yeah had. We experienced it Hi soon in a rut are in Japan. Right. Because all of the flights,

Alaska wasn't fine to Come. So we ended up going through

Tokyo just to visit and we all love bak and sushi. Mh. So we went there and then there was a typhoon soon. So we bear... Like, we almost didn't make it to russia, and then it was just oh my gosh. That place. Those fish are so special. And to me, like, my favorite type of fishing is dana in the jeff out,

zooming around some river and jumping out with my two handed rod and swinging for big fish. Like, that is, like, the absolute dream for me.

And,

Russia,

allows all of that in my mouth... Oh, my gosh. Like, what we experienced was so cool, and the bears and the bear dog and, oh, it's awesome.

But for me, like, I'm a trout girl, so I definitely,

like, anywhere in the world that I can go for trout. I love... We salt fun, but, man, there's nothing like the mountain to me. So,

going to... We went... Eric and I went to Chile, to Pat C,

And, you know, it wasn't, like, the best

fish catching

vacation. We caught fish and they were beautiful, but just the experience and just where we were at, and didn't see a thing a single person and we hiked so it was awesome.

So

I'll go anywhere for trout.

What about Bridges brazil? Yeah. Have you do venture up there?

I've never fished chris. I've never finished your Know. Right? You're I know. I know. I know. I I never had. Boats and spare. I it's out there. God. I know.

Totally. Well, you know, being from Alaska,

I traveled to Alaska a lot. So I will

I'll usually take a month off every year and

go up to Alaska. And so I get that a lot of that experience that's there.

And every task, I'm like, oh, my god, it could be the one. You know, like,

especially for kings. Oh, I caught a forty pound king last

June

on the sling and it was, like. It kicked my ass. Like, I was... I've never been so, like, physically

exhausted

space fishing for keith salmon, and it was... I can't wait to go back.

Yeah. I've never been be, but I... There's... You know, for me, I live while I live about eight hours from.

Yeah. Yeah. And, like, we had Summer steel head rivers. And, honestly, it sounds crazy, but, like, Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Eastern Montana, like, we're in my world. Man there's some of the best trout fishing in the world. And honestly,

I feel so blessed that I can just drive three hours to Mi and there I am.

So I'm I'm pretty lucky where I live just to catch fish, you know, in trout. So... Yeah. For forgotten. So if jack Chad and I drive up there, will you take us to some summer stealing all my thoughts because Yeah. John Mc mill is not gonna tell us for his arm.

He took us that hey gave you're blind foley even to turn us around one times.

I don't okay. You know, that's that's is that so funny because,

when I fled River, I was lo this river this this last month with Eric. And I'm I'm growing by people. I'm like, hey. How's it going? I just, like, feel I p every bit of information that I have. I'm like, oh, yeah. We're catching on on a green drake then for we're, you know, a mergers or blah blah blah. They're not in the fast cloudy water yet. They're in the slow pink water and I mean, Eric's, like, what are you doing? And I'm like, I'm just giving them information. Like... And so my thought is is I can tell you to go to mile marker thirty two point seven and fish with a, you know, B a merger.

And if you don't know how to fish it right, then you're not gonna catch the fit. You know? So

for me, I would rather put... I wanna put good vibes into the world, and I feel, like, if if I can give you all that info and even give you the fly, like, the Karma was gonna come back and it's gonna be good for me. So I'll I'll show you guys. No problem. I I'll get

hundred percent of what you said. Because it... That's how I was kinda like that. You know, I was Cage, and I didn't wanna share any information. I still am a little bit, you know, hard for me to break out of that, but it it's exactly what you said that you could choke someone exactly where to go, give them everything to do it, and it's, you know, it's still gonna be a a struggle, but I think that's awesome. You know, that Karma will come back to you. And... Yeah.

And steel heading especially, like, we're a team. That's way I look at it. You know, when one person catches a steel head, that's the whole team didn't. Yeah. The whole. Oh, yeah. Like, we talk about the fish that we caught, and I didn't even press it You know, I might have vetted your face or took a rat rat photo of it or whatever, but, it's a team effort. So, yeah, I'll definitely be your guys team. I'll show you yeah. No problem. So those people that are listening and are, like,

thinking about thinking about doing a coastal trip with a with a guide this year, highly,

recommend you do it for this reason. Like, it literally is a team effort. There's gotta be so much stuff that comes together. There's somebody, you know, they're everything from from getting there in one to... Because I was pain the ass. Knowing the to go to. Much rear

then getting getting the boat set up, getting on the boat, making sure everything's rigged up properly the night before and the comrade around that, the night before and the anti patient of the day. And then you finally get out there, and

then the fund starts and it's just like this f phonetic pace. It's not it's not like your normal,

leisure stroll down,

a stream. Right? You... It's

High high energy, and it's a lot of fun, and it's like, one of the reasons I like to go after Stripe on the jet boat for the same reason. It's a very dynamic on a river.

It's a very dynamic

environment. And there's a lot of stuff going on. It's kinda dangerous, but it's it's fun. And a lot of the stuff we did on the coast. I found out translates over to

the river and how you're operating in the boat and things like that, and there's a lot of... There's a lot of parallels there. There's a lot of dis dissimilar, but there's also a lot of parallels that are pretty cool.

You said... Yeah. And I go ahead.

Well I say respecting those fish.

You know, like, for me,

living in Eastern Washington, those fish go over eight dams, and they travel four hundred and thirty two miles Mh. To go to the confluence

of the snake in the clearwater.

And, like, when I look at that, you... Like, they're warriors. And you just been and showing respect to them, I think it's huge. I don't... You know, that sounds maybe a little a little cheesy, But, man, I just... I look at it and I just them in the admiration and and think them pre even being able to, like, you know, connect with them. Yeah. So... Yeah. It's kind of, like,

launching a rocket from the earth and then

you docking the capsule on the... On the eye isis, you know, It's, like, all the stuff to come together and the docking would be catching the fish obviously, but

there's a whole team,

yeah. Our mission control behind the whole thing. And it it's really... It's really quite fun, and it's one of my favorite things to do second to steal... Well still... Or still head stripe are kind of like neck and neck for me these days.

Awesome. Yeah. Sounded of my ideal.

Heather earlier, you said fly fishing saves lives, who who says that?

Who said that. You know what, it was actually pig farm meek.

So they...

Yeah. That's who I... Her... I actually have a t shirt from them that says that hashtag fly fishing saved lives. And, like, with Jay Johnson and that whole crew

And

I... You know, and I've heard it from others too. I and you think about the wounded vets or breast cancer for testing for recovery. Like, there were so many things.

It's just so therapeutic even just to, like, stands in a river or in a lake or wherever you're at and just

think about that fish... To me fish don't live ugly places, even when I'm fishing for carp in the La River. Like, I think it's so beautiful. So, you know, just wherever you're at just looking around, it's super therapeutic just therapeutic and it... I saves lives. It just it...

You know, you kinda release all all of everything, and you're in your moment and just just doing it. So... Yeah. On. I took one of my clients

who never in his life, stripe fishing,

the other day. And, yep, I'm not... And and I'm not a guy. I mean, one of my software clients. And Mh really. So it's a... His first first time out, and I took him in the spot.

And gave him a bait caster with a top water

bone colored lure.

I don't know what... It's it's shaped like a torpedo and a guy. I said I was called the torpedo Pencil popper. Yeah. And... So he throws this thing out, and because I had a hunch. Like, I'd I'd had a hook up on the top there before. So I went over there threw it out cast.

Boom blow. He sticks in and he gets to the boat and my holy shit John go by a lottery ticket.

He's like, why any he and I explain to him. Like, that's pretty rare thing that just happened and on your fur

your first time I'm gonna tell. Has never happened to me.

So he was it was cool. It was cool to see and so he's he's, like, you know, he took that in, and then he's, like,

you know, he trains him in May on the side. Just kinda, you know, he runs he runs a very successful company, but he trains Mma on the side just for mental health reasons.

And he said, like, there's aspects of it that are similar to Mma and that, you know, when when somebody's trying to, like, you know, twist your arm off, you you don't really think about anything else other than the guy that's cranking on your arm.

And

that, you know, that being in the moment to your point, Heather is like, what he's getting at. Right? And and I think that in fly fishing and fishing in general. Is it's kinda same thing. You're in the moment. You're you're not trying to twist somebody's arm off, but you're trying to bring that fish to the net and it's it's similar. It takes a a level of effort that mental effort that's the same.

It's pretty. And if anybody... I I actually... Find I of this amazing casting mentor. So I'm trying to get my certified casting instructor, you know,

certificate at Blah blah. Well, so I...

So my casting instructor

meant mentor Molly Sem. She came up and fished with me a couple weeks ago. And I'm a way better angle than I am a cast. I mean, I'm using Castor, but I'm a way better English. Anyway, so we're going remission and,

we I laugh because

for me, I'm so in the moment that I, like, scream and I hoop holler, and I'm, like, scared every everywhere that there is. So moral of the story is if you... So for you guys especially. If you don't... If you like it calm and quiet, like, people, you probably don't watch.

I'll just laugh. That's fine. I just... Oh, yeah. I get so excited, and I'll just throw out moms I'm like, oh, my god. It's this is so big, you know, just I... I love it. It's so much I'm super passionate about it and, yeah, If you guys wanna quiet.

There's I'm not your girl. Definitely like, a lot of different personalities when it comes to, approaching a stream or approaching a lake or just approaching and gently. And general, you know,

I I went New Zealand with a buddy, and and he he's... He just wants to relax. He wants to, like, Yeah. You know, be in the moment, calm, and and I'm like, okay. We have three weeks here. I gotta. I gotta go. I gotta go here. Gotta go here I get. I don't know I'm gonna be backing out. I'm like, And and he is, like, he kinda got me to calm down quite a bit because I have other friends that I've grown up fishing with and we were we're just competitive. You know, We we always try to catch the biggest fish or moo fish, and that's kinda how, like, I've approached the the fishing world. So it's... I've had to balance all that out, but I totally agree with that.

It's just it's just interesting, you know, and it's sometimes people have to be aware of that, like, hey, it's, you know, it's just like anything else. There's just people approach it a little bit differently.

Yeah. And there's there's some series like, I listen to music when I'm,

I'll jam out to whatever the top forties are grateful that or whatever I'm feeling. Right, And I put my my phone in my pocket and my waiters, and I dance. Well of course. But

and there's a lot of people that are... Just don't... You know, yeah. I wanna be just quiet and, you know. And in New Zealand, I definitely toned it down

because you have. You do have to be a little more stuff for sure. Right.

But, yeah. Like, it's all all for perspective, and it's just I think knowing and telling those people who kind of how you are, so I don't want somebody the... I'm just me. You know. So I like to four one people, and I think

when you meet me as because I know I... I don't know if I met you Chad, but did I meet you at adults today? I'm trying to... Were you there? I was... Depends on what year. I don't think he was there. I don't think.

Okay. So... Yeah. Because I met Nick this year and Yeah. I wasn't there. Because Okay. Because I want people to look like at on social media and look at me and then meet me and be like, okay. That's the same person. You know what I mean? Because Right. There's a lot of people on social media that just portray themselves to be different, better, whatever it may be. And

I just want to, you know, to be authentic and just real, and that's just the way that it is. You know? So... Yeah. What's your go to jam right now? Like, when you're getting the cart,

what what are you what are you digging? What are you listen into right now? Oh, man,

So I went to Ireland last year, and

god what is... I... Let me look it up the Bird and the bush and the like that.

No. It's

Oh, my god. I can't I can't even say use an Ed Sheeran song. Anyways, it's a gallo girl. Yeah. So I did that because I went to Gal, and I... So that, but also,

Alicia Cara, so wild things like that song. If you guys... I'm sure you've heard of it. It's older, like, a couple years old, but man air... It's

just talking about they don't need... Oh, shit. I don't know you're hitting me on the top.

But, like, every verse, every

lyric about it is, like, one hundred percent wild free, you know, like,

oh, my gosh. I'm gonna look it up right now. It's freaking bomb. It's so awesome. So that's what I listen see to. And I just play it so loud. And just... Yeah.

Oh, man. I'm looking for it right now. So I have she's awesome. I I've gone through, like, my, when I was a kid, it was, like, led Z and, you know, grateful to and and, Credence clearwater, you know, like, all these different, like, the older genres as I was listening to. And it's at... I've just bounced around my whole life was, you know, wrap or rock and roll. Mh. Know Mh climb

stone temple, But whatever it is. You know... I mean, there's it's just all over the map,

but it's just always interesting because I I've I love music like, when I go hunting or fishing, like, I find that jam that I wanna listen to to get me pumped up for whatever I'm I'm doing. You know? So I totally list... I totally understand what you're saying

and having that music plane, like, if, in your dancing scene and And to me, like, the coolest music videos are, like, incorporate incorporate or music videos, fishing videos, incorporate that. You know, Like, if you can get that that passion for that song and music, like, and share that with the visual aspect of catching fish. Like, I think that's to me is the coolest part and clear legally.

Yeah. I know. Is the coolest thing of just, you know, cinematography in video making.

You know, go ahead.

I mean, Chuck Reagan has some pretty amazing stuff. I listen to a lot of his stuff, and I've...

A lot of his acoustic stuff is just amazing. Right? And

so... And... But a lot of scripts... I mean, I'm a huge dead head. Like, that's And even though I'm forty, that's kind of me. And so I think any any grateful bed for sure I can jam out too. But

yeah, Wild thing... I'm telling you. So hold up on. Let me just read you this really quick. It says, this is one course it says, we will carve place in a time and space, we find our way or we'll stay away, say, hey, hey. Find your great. Don't hide... Don't you hide your face, let it shine shine shine. So it's just like, just be you, have fun. Be a wild thing, You know, Like, don't don't listen to what people think should look like or who you are.

One thing, and I'm... Nick at in delta days is when I spoke,

John had me talk to, and it was kind of an a weird thing

to talk to a bunch of professionals about women in fly fishing because it's definitely a different

conversation,

professional the industry versus,

you know, just recreational. Yeah. And,

one thing I said, and I and I still hold true to this, and I really think it's important is

as a woman or if you're taking late women out or if you see women on Instagram or whatever it may be, just

first of all, don't assume them. I think assumptions are huge, you know, don't assume that they're really good or that they're not good at all. And I think that goes for women or men whoever may be, but also let

women be women internet... Because I know what it's... Some people get upset, like, if they look pretty.

You know, like, oh, they have makeup on, you know, they're not, like, legit or whatever. And I think one of the biggest things is just, you know, if somebody wants to put their face on who cares. You know what I mean? Like? Right. Just let people be them, and if that's what they wanna be and they wanna look good, who you know, whatever. And and that song wild things is, like, it the whole... It just... It shows to that, I guess. It's just be you, do you and who's cares. You know So be authentic. I.

Anyways, Yeah.

Yeah. I've got a question for you because I'm going deep your feed.

Alright. Yeah. Tell the story. It looks like a top water lure that your friends trying to dig out of your left bat talk.

Oh, yeah.

October.

October twenty ninth twenty nineteen...

Was that in your skin?

Oh, fuck yeah. It was in, like, blood.

Was like, huge like... She's really on it. You Oh, But you like, you have a smile. You're insane because I know

to... Here's... Obviously got it out because you're able to do this interview.

Yeah.

I borrowed all of my I barb all of my hook. You do

barb, I'm. Yeah. I picked everything. Me too. Because reason My... Yep. And my thought is is... Because the number one kill it... The number one injury on fish is barb. And so for me, if I'm gonna release them, I might as well be bar, You know, just pinch the butt. So, yeah, That was pinched, but it went, like, completely

into my app.

And

so I was on in Washington a couple, like, a month ago, and I don't know if you guys have

the dirty water flight company. So Daniel saw out. He he has the most badass streamers. But on huge hook, and I pinched my barber and I was going small miles fast fishing, and I got... I just change directions on my calf, fully my fault. Masked my ass into my pant... It went in my pants into my, like, gore bib went all does all the way past the bend of the hook.

And I started... I started crying

because it scared me and it hurt, like, how. And then

I look at it, and then I see that it's in the flesh of my ass. And so I make Eric pull it out, and, oh, yeah. So sounds

Yeah.

Who it makes those who makes those tights. Those are pretty cool. Do you know? The... Yeah. Fishy ware. So they're a women owned company out of Alaska. Yeah. They're awesome sick.

Well, and they're they're made in the United States and they're fifty Usps. They quit dry, and they're fun and funky and just off. Yeah know. It's to see... You know, there's a lot of Indie brands coming up for for women Anglers that, are doing some cool stuff. I like those.

Totally. Yeah. And it... As not... And it's a good technical

apparel that's good quality, all

one hundred percent support them? And they I love of London. Does that whole crew up there? They're awesome. So Yeah. What do they make all kinds of stuff? About pistol. Is that a a you're ambassador of of of that company? Yeah. So pistol is out of Hood River Oregon, and they are...

They make really... I love beanie and hats, and scarves and belts and purses and that kind of stuff. So, yeah. They just just accessory stuff.

But I'm always wearing. I have a hat problem. I do. Like, that's... I need to go to, like, a, like, anonymous for trucker hats or something because I have so many trucker hats, so I just... And the beanie needs some I'm just addicted.

We'll have to send you into our barb ones. Yeah. Yeah. Totally... Get on our go on our site and go to gear dot barb dot c o and let Nick know what you'd like and which to show to you. Yeah. That'd be awesome. Yeah. We have a... Pretty massive line of women's hats, by the way. There's weekend gonna do. Yeah. There's just as many in women's as often Chad favorites as missus Robinson. The missus Robinson that's my favorite.

We. Yeah. All second good night. I'll look for swear.

Awesome.

Heather. This has been a a super fun interview and and chance to talk to you. I'm so glad we got to do this.

It... But real quick, do you have something you wanna plug or talk about. I know you're in best of a few companies, you wanna represent any of them or talk about anything or or say something before we no load pressure no. Yeah. No... No. I mean, the companies are represent are awesome.

I I'm a Citizen ambassador, which I love. I love that they're starting to

well, all companies truly are all, like, starting to develop women's in staff. And Mh. And sims isn't it gonna fit everybody. And either Pat or Or Redding or whoever. So I love that content... That there's competition, and I love that there's companies now thinking about it, and I'm just happy to be a part of, you know, kind of some of that innovation in that world. And

I think the thing I would leave with is just don't assume. Don't assume anybody is good, bad, whatever.

Just, you know, find out who they are by actually getting to know them. That's... That would be my, like, you know, thing. So and just life in general. So... Yeah. I like it. It's good about

slip us and fly fishing saves lives. I'm gonna I'm gonna remember that one too. I'm gonna try to rock that as much as I can.

Yeah. True. It does one way or another, It all has saved our life. Right? You know? I'd be in big trouble if I didn't

So we handed make cowboys

me too. Yeah. I'd still be... Yeah. Like, oh, god, man. So I was my poor parent.

Right.

Well, yeah. Well, thank you again for those listening. Please go check out United women on the fly of their websites.

Get your gals to sign up,

support them. I think it's a great cause, and you guys are doing fantastic. So thank you, Heather for all that you do in this for this industry. We greatly appreciate it. And thank you for coming on the show. We really we really enjoyed it.

Well, thanks for having me making the interview so easy. As awesome.

And we... Okay. Start third one, so we're getting better.

Well, you're doing a good job. Cool. Thank you. You think so?

Yeah. I think so. Yeah. Well,

fish bio,

thank you guys for giving us a roof over heads. And if you guys don't about fish bio. There are basically a,

freshwater

consultancy. They they deal with, you know, basically, all the different species in California... In the California systems and

do scientific research on behalf of nonprofit and Ngos and special interest groups kind of across the board,

they've

kindly let us sit in here well, we we do our podcast. We have own little studio now, which is pretty cool. We'll start doing some video here pretty soon for you guys. So getting really close. The Covid thing kind of took it for knocked us off their rails for a bit, but we're getting close. I got a little few more pieces of hardware to figure out, and then we're we're all set.

But thanks Fish bio. And if you guys want to, get some good,

fish biology

intel once a week, get on their email list. Just go to fish bio dot com sign up for their email. It's really good, and I think it applies pretty much anywhere on the planet, So it's good good little publication to get on.

Totally agree. Cool.

Awesome. Anything else... Thanks Thanks, Heather very much for coming on. Yeah.

Absolutely. It's fun. Thank you. Get to come up there and go and do some fishing with you soon or vice. That would be. If you wanna come down and Chase bass stripe. The wiper here. Yep. Oh, yeah. I'm game for that too. And Cart.

Yep.

Yep. I love Car. Yeah. That's. We did us a carp episode As our second episode. And Yeah. No. It it wasn't our second. Is a hundred and forty eighth, I think. But we did it we did a carp episode that's that's on the a local system here. It's pretty cool.

Or. I'll check it out. Everybody got a stealth craft that has a platform.

So it was it was actually fun. I was excited just to... I felt like I was going to the flats to go fly fisher, you know, in Mexico or something for Bone fish or or permit, but we're were Jason Carp, and it was Just as fun. If not, better. You know, that was with with Darren deal of a sea fly fishing, if you guys are interested in getting a carp Yeah to her. Awesome. Cool. Well. I'll look at it and I'll share it too. So Cool. Great Cool. Alright. Hey. Have have a great weekend. Alright. And, look forward and fishing with you soon. And can you stay around just for a minute after this after we're done. Yeah. Okay. Cool. Thanks for listening guys will be back next week.

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