wschmitt3

I am a lifelong resident of Vermont. I grew up on Lake Champlain near the Winooski River in Burlington. As a kid I fished often in the river or from the shore of the lake. In my twenties I rarely fished. In 2009 after I finished six years in the Army National Guard I found my way back to fishing, I didn't really have the passion for it I did as a kid but found being on the river was a great escape. In 2011 while hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Maine I encountered and watched some fly fishermen working the little brooks and ponds in the back country and that planted a seed in my mind to, at some point, try my hand at fly fishing. I had always been drawn to it but never had any idea where to start. During the winter of 2011-12 I picked up a few books and watched some shows on WFN and videos on youtube. That May I picked up a cheap eagle claw rod and a $11 reel and a fly line (no backing didn't know I needed it) got a few tapered leaders and a couple flies from the local gun shop and walmart and I was on my way. I soon up graded to a 4 Weight TFO and Greys reel and started to accumulate better gear and more appropriate flies.

Today fly fishing is pretty much the main focus of my life. Most weeks I fish 3-4 hours several times a week and probably get out on the river a few more than 100 days each season. I use almost exclusively my own flies.

I currently work as a fishing guide for Good News River Lodge in Goodnews Alaska during the summer fishing season and am exploring off season opportunities.