Portfolio

To: Writing Program Faculty

From: Kaleb Stroman

Date: June 3, 2019

RE: Final Portfolio and Memo

Attached to this portfolio is my WP 3 and WP 2 and throughout these two writing prompts I was looking into the discourse community of Fly-Fishing. As my research I interviewed some famous anglers and guides and read some fly-fishing books that gave me a really good idea of the values and ideas that come with this discourse community. For my WP 2 I interviewed a man named Michael Agostinho who lives in Parker, Colorado and is a recreational angler but a very knowledgeable and talented one. He discusses what is important and why he fly fishes. In the project I focus only on him and try and bring out his thoughts and put all the focus on him without getting my voice too involved. For my WP 3 I put all my research together and interviewed a couple more people. I interviewed two professional guides and anglers in Colorado. In this project I put all the interviews in the project and discussed and expanded on their thoughts and their main points. Not only did I discuss the interviews, but I also discussed readings that I did for this project and then I conducted a survey to get peoples thoughts. The survey brought some interesting insight because all the answers had common themes. It is discussed and shown through my WP 3. Throughout my research process I achieved the WRIT 1133 learning goals through these writing prompts. During this process, I achieved the learning goal of demonstrating practical knowledge and understanding of academic research by reading many texts from peer reviewed journals to simple books about the art of fly-fishing. In my WP 3 it really demonstrates this learning goal because I read Fool’s Paradise by John Gierach and The Art of the Fishing Fly by Tony Loli. In these books they talk about the specifics and the beauty that comes with fly fishing. In Gierach’s book he talks about the beauty and how it is good for the soul and why it keeps bringing him back. My WP 3 really focuses on that aspect of the sport because it seems that’s why people keep doing it and what they enjoy the most about the sport. In Loli’s book, it talks about the same aspect, but really goes into the specifics about fly selection and overall tactics on how to catch more fish. Not only did I achieve the learning goal of demonstrating practical knowledge and understanding of academic research, but I also achieved the goal of understanding rhetorical choices because I gathered research and put that research to use in a rhetorical way that argues that fly fishing is less about catching the fish and more about rejuvenating oneself. This is really shown in my two pieces that I have attached to this portfolio, because not only did I gather research through reading, but by interviewing common and professional anglers they responded to my questions to really help me overall argue the common thoughts and themes through their answers and my secondary research. Finally, I achieved the last learning goal of gathering published sources given to the rhetorical situation by the interviews, books and articles I read for this community. Through my gatherings it strengthened my argument for my WP3 and WP2 and really gave my audience a sense of the importance and reason why people enjoy fly fishing.

Kaleb Stroman

Professor Benz

WRIT 1133

1 May 2019

“Love Something Completely Without Completely Understanding”

            The fresh air, the calm sounds of water, and the chance for a fish to rise are what bring men and women to the water every day. To most people, fly fishing is a simple and fun way to catch fish. However, when talking to fly-fisherman, fly fishing encompasses much more than that.  Michael Agostinho, an expert fisherman and high school teacher, describes what fly fishing means to him and why it plays such a significant role in his life.

            Looking at the sport in very simple terms, fly fishing uses a rod and fly to catch a fish. However, while sitting across from Michael Agostinho and listening to him respond to questions regarding the sport, one can sense the depth of the overall experience. It is part of his lifestyle, and the sport has played a large role in forming the type of person he is as well as what he values.

            “Patience, one of the most important things in life is to learn to be patient” says Agostinho, as he responds to the question asking for the most important thing, he’s learned from fly fishing.

            Previously, before this question, he discussed how having etiquette and giving up time are also valuable things when fly fishing, but having patience plays the biggest role. Patience is needed not only to wait for a fish to rise to your fly, but you also need to be patient with the people who surrounded you. When fly fishing, it is important to have the patience for these things in particular, but he also talks about how that patience translates to his life.

            “The outdoors aspect is important, and it’s kind of a seasonal sport as well” says Agostinho. He talks about how July is his favorite time to fish because it spreads out the crowds, but people also have the opportunity to fish in many different areas. Living in Colorado, fly-fisherman know that the crowds can be overbearing, and with nice weather there are many rivers where people have the opportunity to fish.

            If you could start all over, would you do it the same way?  “Honestly, if I had to start all over, I may have made a career out of it”. As a high school teacher at Legend High School in Parker, fishing is available to him on breaks and weekends.  Most fly-fisherman have the dream to have a career in fly fishing. But to Michael Agostinho, this could have been a reality. As a man who grew up in upstate New York and fly fishing the Delaware river, and then moving to Colorado, he has learned and experienced a lot to be where he finds himself on the fly-fishing knowledge spectrum.

            “I am also a student of the sport, but also a historian of the sport, so I’ve read some books from guys like John Garrick and Walt Franklin” he says.

            With two famous authors in the fly-fishing community, his background knowledge and experience has led to a successful life in fly fishing. Not only is researching history and staying informed about fly fishing is important to Michael, but he also informs the public through his blog Mayfly Musings. Through these posts, Michael describes his trips and adventures and discusses certain fly patterns and tactics that are effective on specific rivers during certain times of year.

            “I’ve seen the sport change in that it’s more accessible to the masses, so there’s more beginner classes and entomology classes, and shops are a lot more friendly than they used to be” he says.

            Michael’s background in fishing deals with different waters; he has a better feel for how things have changed. During the interview he talked about how he likes the summer time for fishing because “people spread out”. In Colorado with over 300 sunny days per year, the desire to fly fish has developed in the minds of many.  During the winter months, people don’t want to travel far, so rivers can get crowded, and that is when “etiquette” comes into play.

            “I think that’s good to get more people involved in the sport, but the negative side is then you have people who don’t necessarily respect it as much as maybe someone like I do, and so you end up picking up their trash or having to deal with some interesting folks on the river” says Agostinho.

            In reality, it’s easy to see that fly fishing has changed over the years. The change doesn’t come in the fact that there are new tying materials for flies, or how rods are no longer made of bamboo, but the change is seen in how so many people have taken up the sport. Like Michael says, “you have people who don’t necessarily respect it” which can make it difficult to enjoy it as much as people would like to.

            “I don’t know who said this quote, but it’s something along the lines of when you go fishing you don’t go to kill the fish, you go to kill the negative part of yourself” says Michael.

            Michael discusses that when things in his life start to become difficult at work or in life in general, he goes to the river and he “disconnects from reality and just gets connected with the river”. This statement is profound and represents a fair point because it seems like fly fishing does that not only for Michael, but also for lots of other fly-fisherman. Like Michael said, fly fishing takes you to the outdoors and to some beautiful scenery. For many, the point of fishing is to go out catch some fish and then go home and eat it. It’s as simple as that. But for Michael, it’s more than catching the fish. It’s about enjoying the outdoors and enjoying the serenity and peace that comes with it. Here in Colorado and in many other places, trout don’t live in ugly places. Because of that, fly fishing is more than the trout. It is the experience. Through Michael’s words and experiences, he shows what a great fly-fisherman values in the sport. “It’s a way to rejuvenate my soul, I guess, and then it makes the week easier when you know you got to go fish” says Michael Agostinho.

Kaleb Stroman

Professor Benz

WRIT 1133

14 May 2019

Beyond The Fish

            The rhythm of 10 and 2 as the line soars back and shoots forward, hoping a fish rises to your fly. This represents the hopes and dreams of a fisherman. As the water rushes by the waist, and the chirps of the birds howl in the mountain backdrop, the tug of the line is an added bonus to what a fisherman seeks.

            This type of day is one a fisherman hopes and wishes for and is what draws them to the river over and over again. As time passes, the idea of a fish begins to disappear, and the idea of feeding the soul becomes more apparent. Every fisherman wants to catch a fish.  After all, a fish is the ultimate goal of a trip.  However, a fisherman really yearns to experience those moments that an outdoorsman loves and remembers. Over time, one won’t remember the process of catching the fish; instead, what is remembered is the experience shared with certain people in a specific place.  

            It seems that fly fishing is less about the fish and more about the life lessons and life long memories. Men like Michael Agostinho, a high school teacher in Parker, Colorado is an avid fly fisherman and an historian of the sport. He is a man who has devoted massive amounts of time and has simultaneously gained friendships and experiences through the sport. He expresses that the biggest lesson he has learned from fly fishing is having patience. He says that from the experiences on the river, he has learned patience and has put it to use in his daily life.  He also describes how fishing has “expanded my horizons in regards to being a more well-rounded person.  You meet a lot of new people and make contact with a lot of people”. He explains that this is important because of the fact that he has made new friendships and developed new skills with people.

            “Within fly fishing there is an etiquette that you have on the river.”

Agostinho describes river etiquette as being polite to people on the river and picking up garbage that you see. Through practicing this etiquette, the reputation of fly fishing holds up. but also, you’re a part of something bigger than oneself. Doing these simple types of tasks shows that fly fishing is more than just about the fish.  It’s about the experience along the way and picking up a couple important life lessons.

“I think the biggest thing is time. You have to be willing to put in the time to read websites and blogs and go to fly shops”.

This idea of putting in the time to be successful in the sport manifests itself in the ability to catch fish. However, more importantly, the ability to catch the fish contributes to those memories and relationships formed between strangers that make those moments on the river so special. For one to be able to help another angler on the river and to share that common knowledge is something that helps create those long-lasting moments.

Finally, Agostinho states “I don’t know who said this quote but it’s something along the lines of, when you go fishing, you don’t go to kill the fish, you go to kill the negative parts of yourself”.

After saying this, Agostinho specifically describes his trips to the river.  He says, “it’s a way to disconnect from reality and just connect to the river”. This concept is one that is really important to fly fisherman and is one that they seek and appreciate. As a member of the fly-fishing community, I catch myself saying to people “yeah I’m going fly fishing; I need it”. When I say the part of needing it, I 100% mean it. With the stress of school, lacrosse, and everyday life, I find myself needing the tranquility that nature brings, and luckily for me, I find it at a trout stream.

The Stories

 The book Fool’s Paradise, written by John Gierach, discusses the beauties of fly fishing not only through catching the fish, but also the beauties that come to us from just being there. In the first part of his book he describes the fish he’s caught, the places he’s been, and what has kept bringing him back. In this specific section he says, “I came to like bush pilots because, even though most are at least as competent as their uniformed counterparts, their lids aren’t screwed on so tight”. This part of his book really brings out what fly fisherman love and appreciate, which is the fact that they get to meet people who are different from them, and also get to experience something that fly fishing has brought them. Gierach talks about an experience with a pilot named Bernie who was an interesting guy and a real comedian. He talks about the conversation he had with Bernie about plane crashes and Bernie said, “If we go in, tighten your seat belt, put yer head between yer legs, and kiss yer ass goodbye”. Gierach states that he appreciates the type of humor and honesty that Bernie brought to the trip.

Fly fisherman have experiences like the one between Gierach and Bernie all the time.

The experience may not be in a plane flying to a remote part of the world in hope for giant fish, but it may be through the simplicity of a guided trip or an outing on the river where we are fortunate enough to meet a character like that.

Although I haven’t been fishing for 10 plus years, I can say that I have had experiences like this. From the guy who screams every time he catches a fish to my reeling in a 22 incher and hearing the words “Fuck, what are you using?” Although it doesn’t compare to flying with Bernie, it sure does put a smile on my face and makes me appreciate the whole environment around me.

One of my favorite quotes when reading Gierach’s book is when he is asked “‘How can I reach you?’ I thoroughly enjoy saying “You can’t; I’ll be fishing.” This mindset embodies the mindset that so many fishermen have. The simple life. The idea of disconnecting, and as my mom says, “be where your feet are”, which is something we all need at times. Be in the moment. In Gierach’s case, he is in the moment at all times and clearly enjoys it.  These are simple words from a simple man but represent a saying that echo’s loud in my mind.

Figure 1

Recently I conducted a survey asking questions to people in the community about how long they have been fishing and what times of year they fish as well as the times of year people fish. The majority of people I interviewed clearly were experienced between 1-5 years, and they all said that they considered themselves to be a part of the fly-fishing community. This is a good statistic because it represents a community that is very welcoming due to the fact that they want to share the experiences that all fisherman desire.

            On the same survey I asked the question: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from fly fishing? These were the responses.

Figure 3

These responses are very similar to what Michael said. Patience is key. If you’re not patient then you’re not catching fish, plain and simple. It’s simple because patience is what keeps us on the river, and because of that, we can experience the beauty and authenticity of what fishing brings us.

            Personally, I have been fly-fishing for about 5 years now, and I can say that the community as a whole has been very encouraging and welcoming. Through having encouraging guides when I first started to meeting the wise old man on the river that talks about the weird fly he is using to catch the 30-inch rainbow in the most random spot, my memories build my continued love of the sport.

            This past weekend I went fishing on the South Platte in Deckers, Colorado. I pulled up to the spot where I love the scenery and solitude. It’s also a bonus that there are large fish in that spot, but when I get out of the car, I met two men who asked me how I was doing and what I was planning to use. As I told them, I asked “you catch anything?” Their response was a simple yet alarming “no”. But as I wadered up I thought to myself, I am going to catch these fish, and if I don’t, I’m going to have a hell of a time trying.

The Real Deal

            “To become part of the fly-fishing community is to pay your dues, and when paying your dues learn from the pros and the cons, learn from positives and negatives to grow as an angler and as an individual” says professional guide Landon Mayer.

            Landon Mayer, a professional guide and author from Colorado Springs, Colorado, talks about the values and lessons learned from fly fishing. Landon is a guide that fishes the South Platte in South Park, Colorado and is a well-respected figure in the fly-fishing community. When asked questions about his life in fly fishing and overall lessons learned from it, he says that paying your dues and really learning and appreciating patience is key to enjoy fly-fishing. Books like 101 Trout Tips and The Hunt for Giant Trout teach anglers tactics and places to hunt for giant trout. In these books, he discusses the tactics and specifics, but through the interview, we focus on the aspect of the community and the sport that people really love and enjoy.

            “Honesty and hard work go hand in hand… be honest to yourself and be honest to other anglers.” says Landon.

            Landon discusses that being honest to yourself is shown each day when you go and give 100% on the river.  Your hard work is show cased and it pays off.  This is really a life lesson, showing that giving it your all at all times in one’s life is important. Being honest and having a good work ethic in what you do. It pays off in all aspects, and when it comes to fly-fishing, it pays off with the fish you catch, and your determination shows even when not catching fish.  You are always learning something to increase your chances next time.

            “What caused it to spark inside of me was when I was camping in eleven mile canyon, and we were casting a lure here and there… but I’ll never forget, it was a really cool light, watching an angler hook a fish dry fly fishing and I looked at my brother and said we got to do that” says Landon.

            That spiritual and environmental aspect of the sport is what a lot of fisherman have encountered and want to experience. Just like Landon, many people have seen people catch fish in the pure form of dry fly fishing and sparked something inside of them to chase that same feeling. It’s something that they will never forget.

            Pat Dorsey, another professional guide in Colorado, fishes on the South Platte in Cheesman Canyon and Deckers. He is also an author and is a man who is very respected in the fly-fishing community as well. Pat discusses the same aspects of fly-fishing but has some very interesting and well-spoken answers that people can appreciate.

            “Passion, professionalism, and a strong love for the outdoors” says Pat.

            These are three aspects of the sport that people really do have to appreciate to become part of the fly-fishing community. Passion for the sport is something that is very important and keeps people coming back to the river. Professionalism on the river and the actions taken on the river are very vital. Having a strong love for the outdoors is something we all have at times but being able to really love it and appreciate the little things proves to be extremely important for people joining this community.

            “It has evolved into a 30-year long career. I have no regrets; it’s been an incredible journey” says Pat.

            A simple way to sum up a successful career in this community-  having no regrets.  What an impressive statement from someone in this community. Having such a great career and being able to appreciate the journey throughout the years is something very admirable and respectable.

            “The allure of fly fishing has evolved over thousands of years, from the necessity to feed one’s family to the desire to feed one’s soul” says author Tony Lolli.

            Tony’s book, The Art of the Fishing Fly Foreword by President Jimmy Carter, discusses the specific aspects of fly fishing but also discusses the aspect again that all fisherman love and appreciate, “the desire to feed one’s soul”(Lolli). Jimmy Carter also discusses what is important and what makes it great to be a part of this community.

            “Theirs is a devotion to an ancient craft-a craft that will be passed from one generation to the next for as long as there will be fly fishers” says President Jimmy Carter.

What Brings us to the River

            There is one day that will stay in my mind forever on the river. My father and I tracked up the steep hills and roads of Deckers, Colorado at 4:00 in the afternoon. I was thinking about how the sun would be going down soon and how the fish wouldn’t be eating too much. However, all I could think about was appreciating the moment. The moment when the sun set behind the mountain, and my father and I were talking about whatever came to mind is something that I will forever remember. I wasn’t chasing a fish that day; instead I was chasing the serenity that the moment brought, which is something that I continue to chase every time I go out.

            Fly fishing can be a magical and exciting thing for all in the community and even for people outside or just joining the community. One hears the harmonious sounds of nature as the line shoots through the guides of your rod to a trout rising in the corner as the sun goes down, which is something one can only dream of on the river they love. As the time passes and the fish become no more, the feeling of the soul with nature begins to grow.  The only sounds that echo throughout the distance are the crashes of the riffles and the movement of the water, and the thought of a ten and two rhythm in the background. At times we catch ourselves appreciating the little moments on the river from the birds flying over our heads to the sight of a blue winged olive flying across the water. It’s the little things that bring it all into perspective. “At the time I did not know that stories of life are often more like rivers than books.” says Norman Maclean. Life is like a river, and  the days pass like the flows and the memories hold like the rocks.  This is the feeling we all chase and ultimately describes why people fly fish.