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I learned to fly fish in high school and have never gone back to fishing with gear (bait or hardware). I love the asthetic and sporting nature of fly fishing. While in high school in Portland, my friends and I would head the Deschutes at every opportunity. Throughout the years, my interest in fishing has ebbed and flowed, but I continue to love the sport and the lessons it has taught me in caring for the environment. Now in my mid-thirties, I'm discouraged by how much pressure Portland's population boom exerts on popular rivers like the Deschutes and others. Where I used to fish from dawn until dusk with the goal of catching as many as possible, I now focus more on the scenery than the result. In fact, I'm often conflicted as to whether or not I'm hurting the fish and if I'm being a responsible steward of the outdoors by fishing for sport (I'm strictly catch and release unless it's a hatchery-reared steelhead). I currently live in Hood River and fish a few times a week on the Deschutes and other local, but less popular rivers.

posted 4 years, 7 months ago
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