Future Taylor Creek Guides in Training

When it comes to the next generation of fly fishers, Basalt has it covered in spades.  Luckily for the kids around here there are 4 major rivers, a bunch of lakes and ponds, and a big group of quality guides who love to share their knowledge with young people.  Recently the kids in Basalt Parks and Recreation Summer Camp enjoyed a few days with our crew learning about bugs, knots, casting and landing fish, and it’s easy to see a few future fishing guides in those little ones.

Nothing compares to seeing a young person start to “get it,” catching fish, understanding the hatch, and tying the proper fly on by themselves.  Young people don’t bring their problems and egos to the river like their grownup counterparts, and the joy they bring is quite contagious.  Kids don’t usually have bad fly fishing habits to break, so setting them on the right path is usually a cinch.

We sometimes wonder where the next Joan Wulff, Lefty Kreh, Tim Heng or Ernest Schwiebert is going to spring up from, and I’m willing to bet it is right here in Basalt, Colorado.  These kids (and us older kids too) have a lifetime’s worth of rivers, streams, high country lakes and ponds to explore in one of the most beautiful places in the country.  How lucky is that?

Taylor Creek guides love to give back, whether it is the Cystic Fibrosis Tournament, helping wounded warriors with Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities, Casting For Recovery, and especially with the youth here in Basalt during Summer Camp.  Volunteering keeps you humble, and our guys and gals are certainly that, despite their amazing talents and patience. 

So, take a cue from our crew and take a kid fishing.  Many kids’ parents don’t fly fish, so getting time on the water is tough.  Most young people who are interested in this sport are just dying to learn, they just need a good neighbor, parent or any fishy and responsible adult to show them why and how we do what we do.  You just might create the next great ambassador of our sport!

Words by Scott Spooner

Photographs courtesy of Scott Spooner and Taylor Creek Guide Christian Hill