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Fly Fishing Roots

Ruth Sims is called by the pristine waters and chance encounters with the native fish of the PNW.

By KAVU

November 28^th, 2017

Isn't fishing, fishing?

My 3 year “flyfishiversary” is the first weekend of September 2017. Three years ago I had no idea what fly fishing even was. I had fished all my life with my dad and sisters but with a conventional rod and reel. When I learned of fly fishing, I became instantly and utterly infatuated with the beauty of the cast, the places it entices you to explore and the challenge of landing a fish on the fly. I was taken once by a friend who had fly fished for the majority of their life but after that, I was on my own. Reading books and articles, frequenting fly shops and an obsessive relationship with YouTube videos on how to cast, tie flies, etc. quickly developed.

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

I have come a long way

....in comparison to my first year of fly fishing where I caught - at most maybe 3 microscopic fish total in a period of about 8 months. I would fish almost every other weekend with the hopes of my cast finally presenting itself the way I saw in articles and videos… but it never happened. I later came to the realization that all I needed was for someone to watch me fly fish and provide feedback on what to change. Once that happened it was game over. My confidence on being able to read water, cast, and land a fish bloomed like a morning glory. And now, at this point in my life, I can’t imagine a weekend without even just one cast.

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

in the blood

Being born and raised in Seattle, my dad took us to many local lakes and rivers, and to fish the beaches and shorelines of the Puget Sound. It wasn’t long before I realized the mecca of sorts that we lived in for fly fishing. We have trout, bass, carp, and all sorts of stillwater fish. We have an exponential variety of salt water species roaming both the shorelines, and the deep seas. We also have a plethora of anadromous fish coming and going, depending on when their DNA tells them to. These fish roam in and out of our water systems year round and I have become fascinated with learning their lifecycles, migratory patterns, and how to catch and release them.

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

the places "it" takes you

This fascination with fly fishing has taken me high into the Cascades in search of mostly untouched alpine lakes, miles off the mainland weaving in and out of the San Juan Islands, and deep into our temperate rain forests. These forests contain cedar trees as grand and majestic as you can imagine, with the ground carpeted in ferns and moss so soft you could take a nap almost anywhere.

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

walking the path

Fly fishing for me is not only about catching a fish, it’s about the places it takes you - it’s that urge to explore and discover lands unknown to you - it’s the thrill and excitement of learning a new species and its water system. Having all the knowledge come together in the magical moment you come in contact with the slimy little (sometimes big) creature that you have been searching for feels like magic. The result: Interaction with an amazing fish, a few photos, and off they go;-)

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

grateful

When I’m at my regular "9-5" as a Renewable Energy Electrical Engineer - between emails, designs, and meetings I’m constantly imagining the next place fly fishing is going to take me, the next creek I’ll follow just for a chance encounter with a beautiful native fish. However, when I’m out there I think of absolutely nothing except the beauty that I am surrounded by. All worries, fears, and stresses of life simply fade away and I am just there basking the glory and perfectness of the land around me, happy to have the chance to be where I am.

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

Fly Fishing Roots

this is my passion

FOLLOW RUTH:

@navajoflyfisher

Fly Fishing Roots

Footnotes

Ruth Sims embodies what KAVU is. It's having a passion, finding balance and following what brings joy to your life. Follow Ruth and keep living your KAVU days!

FootNotes

Ruth Sims embodies what KAVU is. It's having a passion, finding balance and following what brings joy to your life. Follow Ruth and keep living your KAVU days!

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