Fish, Explore, Conserve: An Interview with Garrison Doctor

More and more people get involved in the fly fishing industry not for selfish reasons but to reinfuse it with positive energy: To heal, inspire, educate, or conserve. One of those people is Garrison Doctor, who is the co-founder behind the small Colorado-based start-up; RepYourWater. A fly fishing apparel-, goods-, and fine arts company, RepYourWater has committed itself to a green business model with ethically sourced and recycled materials and a 3% push back to conservation partners. We’ve had the pleasure of catching up with Garrison and getting better acquainted with the diligent Colorado-resident, businessman, artist, and fly fisherman.

How did you get started fly fishing and why?

“There is no fishing tradition in my immediate family, neither my mom or dad have any interest in the sport, but for some reason I have always been captivated by fishing and catching fish. I had a little spinning rod from a very young age that I took camping and I had fair success in little meadow creeks for browns and brook trout. When I was about 9 years old, my dad and I went camping at a high mountain lake here in Colorado where you could see the shallow cruising cutthroat trout. I had a terrible time with my spinning gear, I spooked every fish I cast near, but there was a guy there fly fishing and having great success. So, I begged and pleaded for a fly rod and the rest is history.”

Being an artist what is it about fly fishing and fish in general that intrigues you?

“While my passion has always been fishing, my dedication and education have been in fine art. The fact that every fish and their markings are unique makes them a really fun subject. I could do a series of 100 brown trout and not be bored with brown trout because there is so much variation.”

What came first for you – fly fishing or art; and why do you think?

“Art came first, I have been drawing and painting since before I can remember. Part of this is due to the fact that both of my parents are artists, so I grew up surrounded by it, and part of it is an aptitude that I have always had.”

Can you tell us a little bit about your art, what it means to you and how it ties up with your passion for fly fishing?

“Creating art and fly fishing are both things that are very important to my life and my mental health. When doing either activity, I am intensely focused and in the moment. The creative process for me, when I am working on a drawing or painting, is intensely energizing.”

What is it you’re seeking to capture in your art?

“I think my most successful pieces are ones where if you see it in person, or look closely, you can see the technique of the drawing or painting. Whether that is pastel or brush strokes. I also want my subject to look alive and I think that life comes from the eyes, so I spend a lot of time on eyes. Fish eyes are really interesting to look at and paint or draw.”

How do you split your time between fly fishing and art?

“It is always a balance, and at this point in my life they fuel each other. I am very lucky in that fish art and design is part of my business, so I make a point to spend at least one day a week in my home studio.”

Has fly fishing helped you become a better artist or vice versa?

“I think that my artistic eye has helped me in fly fishing a bit. I love to tie flies as well as fish, and my art contributes to that part of the pursuit.”

What are your dreams and aspirations as an artist – and as a fly fisherman?

“As an artist, I hope to continue to evolve, improve, and produce a wide breadth of pieces. As a fly fisherman. I hope I continue to have the opportunity to explore new places and learn new aspects of the sport.”

What is your best advice to other fellow fly fishermen who would like to experiment with art?

“Start simple – both in terms of medium and subject matter. Begin in black and white and work with a high-quality reference image as inspiration.”

Any upcoming fly fishing trips that we should know of?

“It is a strange time for travel plans, but we are scheduled to fish in Chile, Iceland, and Bolivia first half of next year. We shall see…”

If any of our readers would like to get their hands on some of your art, where do they start?

“Have a nice selection of prints and some originals for sale at: www.repyourwater.com/pages/fine-art”

You’re the mastermind behind Rep Your Water. Can you tell us a little bit about the organization and what your aims and goals are?

“Well first off, I would be remiss if I did not point out that, while I am the creative force behind RepYourWater, my wife and fellow co-founder Corinne is an integral part of the brand’s success from RepYourWater’s inception to current operations. We are a small team, just three full time employees at the moment, and we have a blast day-to-day. We are growing from logo wear hats and shirts to a much more diverse line that includes everything from tech forward, super lightweight, performance shirts to whiskey glasses.

We have always made conservation a cornerstone of our values which is why we push at least 3% back to our conservation partners. We are now pushing that forward and working with our supply chain to incorporate sustainability into a lot of our products. From recycled polyester to bio cotton our line will increasingly tell a sustainability story.”

Bio// Full Name: Garrison Doctor

Born: Boulder, Colorado, USA

Home Turf: Colorado, USA

Occupation: Co-Founder, Designer & Marketer at RepYourWater

Website: www.repyourwater.com

Social Media: @garrisondoctor