The Current Magazine Winter 2019 | Page 24

DONOR PROFILE

If I’m being honest, it’s actually a bit embarrassing, really. You see, despite the fact that I’d been fishing the various waters of California for as long as I can remember, the first time that I actually picked up a fly rod was only four years ago – with a wife who was pregnant with our firstborn and on the eve of making an abrupt career change – hardly an ideal time to stumble headlong into a new (and time consuming) passion. Indeed, in hindsight, it’s clear that my timing was way off; I was about thirty years too late in my conversion, and I should have been fly fishing from the start!

Of course, it’s not really about the manner of fishing at all, but, like so many so many others, I’ve found that fly fishing provides an experience unrivaled in its ability to connect me to the natural world, particularly here in California where we have such a wealth of opportunity at our doorstep. Like the prisoners in Plato’s fabled cave, fly fishing has opened my eyes to a world that I simply didn’t know existed beforehand, and I am forever grateful for that.

Not content with mere awareness, however, I’ve turned to CalTrout to fight on my behalf (and on behalf of generations of other Californians) to ensure that our unique resources are protected now and into the future. From “brick and mortar” projects (e.g. the Klamath dam removal and the Woodman Creek project), to legislative efforts in Sacramento, to various scientific research initiatives, I couldn’t be more pleased with the tangible impact that CalTrout has every day, and I’m proud to call myself a CalTrout member.

Eric Tausend

CalTrout Member since 2016

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I couldn’t be more pleased with the tangible impact that CalTrout has every day, and I’m proud to call myself a CalTrout member.