Hey my name is Jon Caplan, currently residing in Summit County Colorado. I started fly fish after a bad skiing accident. I slipped on a terrain park rail and ended up breaking two different bones in my face towards the middle of the ski season. As a semi pro sponsored skier I am very active and had to pick up a new hobby to keep busy. One of my biggest sponsors is Peppers Eyewear which I intergrade into my skiing and fishing! I grew up in West Dover Vermont spin fishing with my Dad and friends in the rivers, lakes, and sea on the East coast. When I decided to pick up fly fishing it came very naturally for me. I progressed fast and decided to attend fly guiding school with Cut Throat Anglers in Silverthorne. Which is a certified fly fishing school. At the school I learned the full guiding process on water and off as well as how to row a raft. After the weeklong process I met a lot of good people in my class and expanded my knowledge extremely. I am not actively guiding but I love to take friends out and fish. I think in the future I will do professional guiding with the right out fitter.
Fishing is a very important aspect to my life and a huge stress reliever. It’s a amazing way to get out and clear my mind after a long day or stressful situation. Not that fishing isn’t frustrating when you are trying for a fish you’ve been looking at for an hour switching your fly’s more times then you can count! I personally know the struggle. Slipping on mossy rocks in the river, filling your wades up, or drowning my phone more times then I can remember. At the end of the day it is all for fun and I end up laughing at my mistakes. Personally I think the bigger picture is about being out on the water enjoying the moment. Some of my favorite memories made have been with family and best friends. The fishing might not always be the best but we find something special in every adventure! Every fish is special. Sometimes I have to remind my self this and listen to the water flowing, wind blowing, and feel of the rod in my hand. Any fish is just a plus on the river. The experiences and places fishing has brought me are unforgettable and I can only wait to see where it brings me in the future! The tug is the drug and always brings me back!
One of my favorite stories I would like to share with you is about a moose. As I was fishing in one of my favorite holes on the Blue River in Silverthorne Colorado a young moose down stream of me decided to take a swim. He didn’t see me untill after he jumped in and was under the bridge almost to the other side of the river. As he got close I jumped back surprised he came so close. The moose then saw me and started charging up river in shallower water. The whole time another fisherman was watching me from the road and we both just looked at each other and started laughing. This is just one amazing experience out of many!
Fly fishing isn’t easy but if you are dedicated, work hard, and remember it is all for fun it really pays off. The people and places it will bring you are amazing and I recommend trying it! Fly fishing is a never ending love and learning experience. I have seen countless animals I would have never seen if it wasn’t for the places I was traveling to fish. I have also learned a lot of the different fish and bug species. If you are an experienced fisher reading this I am sure you can relate and if you are a beginner I hope this helps inspire you to fish harder and see the amazing experiences it brings!
