Everyone has a reason for why they fish. Only YOU can answer that question. I’m sure a lot of us, including me, scroll through our Instagram feeds liking and commenting and some truly breath-taking pictures and videos of 30-inch browns with 7-inch streamers hanging out of their mouths or some guy on a ladder with a 30-inch cutthroat from Pyramid Lake. There is generally no disagreement from the general population that these fish are truly special. The average person starts wondering how and where these fish are caught and they start digging a bit deeper. You click on the profile that posted the picture, wow 52.5k followers and only following 1.5k. You then proceed to scroll through their feed and see 500+ photos of massive fish. You see another masterful video, so you click on the profile, 5.2k followers and following 2.1k. You scroll through their feed and find the same 500+ photos of big beautiful fish. You begin to see where I am going with this. The root of it all really becomes why do you fish? A disclaimer for this is that it doesn’t always apply. There are some very humble, driven, talented, and truly gifted anglers out there that have a significant following for all the right reasons.
The path taken to 5.5k followers or 50k followers can be very different. Some may use managing sites to boost likes, comments, and follows. Some may use the follow/unfollow technique which is stupid. And some may fish and hunt large trout just so they can post the “HERO” shot to top all other posts. Back to why we fish. Do you fish for followers? Do you fish for sponsors? Do you fish for credibility? Do you fish for acceptance? The fly-fishing family has grown a lot on social media over the last 5+ years and not all for the good of the sport.
My nephew holding a stud bass!
My story is short and sweet. It started at age 11. I came home from school one afternoon and there sat a pair of waders and fly rod. I hop out of the car and my dad says, “get your stuff, we are heading to the river”. We drove to the South Platte river near Deckers, Colorado. My dad rigged my rod, tied on my flies, helped me get suited up, and off we went. He stood right next to me watching me cast and giving me tips. I can’t put into words when that first fish was hooked. The tug on the hook-set. The bend in my rod. The water running across my boots. My dad standing right next to me. It was quite literally one of the best and most defining moments of my life. Fly fishing became an obsession. From the Gear, research, mistakes, tying flies, technique, videos, traveling, etc.… I couldn’t get enough.
Perfect example of how connecting can be a wealth of information regardless of the topic
You are probably wondering how this relates to social media and fly fishing. I created an Instagram account during my last year of college. As time went on, I began searching and following fishing related people and content. I really wasn’t sure what the purpose of my posts were to be honest. I would get a few likes here and there and some comments. It wasn’t until I started investing time into the podcast start up that it really made sense. I use social media to connect and learn from fellow anglers. I get to enjoy the crystal-clear photos and videos of something that I love so much. I get to talk tactics, gear, rivers, and even meet and fish with those that I would have otherwise not met. Some people are not fond of sharing information. Why? Not entirely sure. But time and time again, I see accounts that have tips in the post or a story inviting others to join them on the river. This is what the sport needs. Not some guy who has 50.2k (probably fake) followers who won’t write back or connect with anyone. Don’t do it for the popularity aspect, do it because you truly love it. Whether it’s the photography, film making, nature, decompression, or just pure joy, don’t let the cloud of social media distort your perception or passion for the sport. Help other anglers out, send a DM, comment with a tip on their page, meet up and fish. I know we have been slacking on Bourbon and Browns, but at any time we are happy to answer and email, a DM, or meet up to fish. As the younger generation gains more traction in the industry, we must show them the raw beauty of the sport.
TIGHT LINES
--BRYCE--