Hello! I’m Amy. Welcome to Rod & Reel.
Blogger, 40-something, colorful sock appreciator, car hoarder, serial outdoor-er.
I’m happy you’re here to read about my fishing adventures, and if you’ve come to find out more about me and why this blog, here it is.
My day job is full-time blogger, writing about crafts and DIY. I run my own business, and feel like it’s a very natural fit for me to be in charge of my own destiny when it comes to work. This is after 20 years of working for other people, doing everything from scientist at the CDC to brand marketing at a cell phone case company. Yes, I get bored easily!
I’ve always had a great appreciation for the outdoors, and my undergrad degree is from the University of Washington in Forest Conservation. Unfortunately we didn’t do any fishing as part of that degree, but we did spend a lot of time in the woods. As the kids say, being outside “gives me lyfe.”
I’ve lived in five states, and every part of the country but the southwest. As a result of all these jobs and experiences and places that I’ve lived, I feel like I have at least one thing in common with everyone. And that’s true for you and I, isn’t it? We both are interested in fly fishing.
Which leads me to, why fly fishing. What do I like about it? And why am I blogging about it?
It’s Outside
I enjoy a lot of hobbies and my preference is that, as long as it’s not too hot, it’s outside. How can you be unhappy standing in a cool river on a clear day, looking at the mountains?
It’s a New Adventure
I swear I was saying you only live once before the whole YOLO thing. But seriously, it’s how I feel. I will try anything at least once, and sometimes that happens and you think, “okay this is awesome.” And with fly fishing, you get to travel to mountain areas. And rivers. And camp.
It Will Be a Challenge
I’m going to mess up and make mistakes and I’m waiting to hook my finger or face for the first time. But it doesn’t matter . . . because I like the challenge. I know it’s not always easy to accept frustration, but it’s kind of required to feel total accomplishment. Plus I just hate being bored.
I Can Do It As I Age
You can fly fish at any age, really. I’m already feeling the orthopedic effects of a lot of activity over the course of my life, so it’s nice to have something that doesn’t tax my body. I always intend to be active, but I think my brain is much more optimistic than my hips.
This Blog is My Journey
One thing I love about my craft and DIY blogs is that initially I used them to take people on my learning journey with various crafts. That’s what I’m doing here. Nothing you see is going to be done “by the book,” and I welcome your constructive comments.
Ultimately I think everyone should do what works best for them, but I’m going to share what works (and doesn’t work) for me. I don’t like to be told what to do and if you like the freedom of fly fishing, you probably don’t either. So let’s consider this to be educational advice based on my learning process rather than requirements set in stone.
This Makes Me Accountable
Another great thing about blogging on a topic is that it keeps you accountable. To write about something, you have to do it. Otherwise months will go by . . . as they do when you’re old like me 🙂
If you’re ready to learn fly fishing with me, let’s go!!! Leave me a comment if you have any questions. You can also email me here.