Profile of a Fly Fisher: Emily Rodger

We’re totally in favour of 50/50 on the water, but - as it looks right now, perhaps especially in Europe - there’s still a long way to go. To get more women into fly fishing, it’s important that female fly fishing ambassadors are provided with the platforms they deserve to make an impact and facilitate recruitment. Emily Rodger, a former 2x UCI GF Cycling World Champion, an avid outdoors person and keen fly fisher is one of those empowering people who is capable of making such an impact.

Having pursued a career as a professional athlete, Emily is a goal-oriented and uncompromising individual, who is determined to make the most of her life. And, as she will tell you, fly fishing ties seamlessly up with this mentality.

We’ve had a chat with Emily about her background, about her competitive career, and about how she got into fly fishing and where it has taken her.

Home Country: Canada Facebook: www.facebook.com/emilyrodger83 Instagram: www.instagram.com/erodger

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I was raised in New Brunswick, Canada, and come from a family of 4 girls. I worked as a dental hygienist before pursuing my passion for triathlon and cycling. I am a 2x UCI GranFondo World Champion (both Time Trial and Road Race), Canadian Masters National Time Trial Champion, 70.3 Ironman world qualifier etc.

Along with my successes in sports, I have certainly had more than my fair share of setbacks. I have survived 2 very serious cycling accidents (struck by vehicles on 2 separate occasions while riding). These accidents resulted in multiple broken bones, a brain injury, and extensive soft tissue/ facial damage. I returned to racing after both accidents but decided to take this past year off of racing so that I had more time to pursue other endeavors. I work as a Health and Life coach and am working towards my certification as an Executive Business Coach. I thrive off of encouraging and supporting others as they choose to live their life to the fullest !

How did you get started fly fishing and why?

The idea of fly fishing came to me in the year following my first cycling accident. I was still undergoing surgeries/treatment, recovering from a brain injury, and, despite all of that, I was back to training and racing. Although I wouldn’t admit it at the time, I was not only suffering with the effects of a brain injury but also with PTSD from the trauma I had experienced during that accident.

I was slowly becoming a person I no longer recognized, and I lived in constant fear of getting hurt again. I struggled being around people, and started spending more and more time on my own. I was living in Arizona at the time, and would go up to Oak Creek in Sedona on my recovery days from training. I loved just sitting by the water, away from everything and everyone. During those moments, I wasn’t thinking about my injuries, my accident, racing, or all of my fears and anxiety I was living with—I was simply captivated by trying to spot trout. That’s when my memories of fishing as a child came back to me.

I remembered being 4 or 5 years-old and trying to catch trout in a brook by my childhood home. I remembered so vividly the joy I experienced when I was finally able to catch one. That was the type of joy that was missing in my life, and that is how the idea of fly fishing came to me. I didn’t know anyone else who fly fished, so I hired a guide and was out fly fishing the following week. Taking that initial step to try fly fishing was one of the greatest choices I’ve ever made.

You’ve travelled all over the world. What’s the most exciting place you’ve fished and why?

The Amazon jungle! I had always wanted to travel to Brazil, and as soon as I found out that I could fly fish there, I was planning my trip.

I love traveling to remote destinations, learning about different cultures, and targeting new species of fish. The jungle provided all of that and more! I fished at two different lodges while there, Rio Marié and Pirarucu. What really appealed to me about these lodges was the emphasis that they put on conservation and protection, both for the environment and for the indigenous tribes who inhabit the land.

The compassion and passion that the staff of these lodges have for the jungle, its people, and the fish was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. It was exciting to see how beneficial fly fishing can be, both from an environmental standpoint and also socially. Not only did I catch beautiful fish but I also witnessed firsthand the true meaning of community.

What is the most memorable fish you’ve caught and why?

I landed my most memorable fish this past June. Originally, I was supposed to be traveling to various destinations to fly fish but, just like everyone else, my plans were cancelled due to COVID-19. I made the most of my cancelled international plans and made new plans, exploring rivers closer to my home in Atlantic Canada.

After navigating the new logistics of booking with a lodge and hiring a guide, I was out on the water again. On my final day and final hour of fishing with Restigouche River Lodge in New Brunswick, Canada (my home province), I landed a 36-pound Atlantic Salmon! The hen gave me the fight of a lifetime, showing me the pure strength and stamina that these fish hold. That silver salmon was the perfect reminder to always make the most of your given situation—a silver lining indeed.

What is it that intrigues you about fly fishing?

Fly fishing intrigues me because there are so many different variables that go into it. I love the technical aspect of it and how many things need to come together in order to land the fish I am chasing after. It reminds me of planning out my training and race execution. Some things I am in control of, while there are other things that can/will occur that are completely out of my control. When it all comes together, it’s magical. When it doesn’t come together, it makes for an incredible learning experience and opportunity for growth.

Things in life won’t always go as planned, but fly fishing provides great practice of learning the skillsets necessary to cope with that uncertainty! Fish also live in the most beautiful places. While I don’t need to have a reason to travel and explore the world, chasing fish sure does provide a great one!

Is it difficult, at times, being a female in a male dominated sport?

I have encountered difficulties at times but it isn’t something that I have allowed to be an issue for me.

I try and stay true to myself and what it is I want to be doing - or pursuing, regardless of my gender. There will always be people out there (male or female) who might try and bring me down, intimidate me, or diminish my experience but ultimately, it’s up to me how that affects me.

I choose to put my energy in to trying to make fly fishing more welcoming and less difficult for others instead of getting caught up in the ways it has been difficult for me.

Europe has very few women in fly fishing. Do you have input on how to attract more women into fly fishing?

Regardless of your gender, if you are reading this article and haven’t tried fly fishing, then I encourage you to try it. There was already something about fly fishing that piqued your interest enough for you to even read this magazine—I think that is reason enough to give it a try!

We live in a world where we are conditioned to overthink, procrastinate, and make excuses. We spend too much time in our minds and not enough time in our hearts. Listen to your heart and what it wants to be doing, then take action to make that happen. I also believe that passion is contagious and when we share stories, photos, and experiences with others it ignites curiosity in them to experience those things as well. encouraging others to find things that truly bring joy to their lives. With that, I think that more people will naturally find themselves out on the water!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned along the way as a fly fisherman?

The importance of patience and perseverance. This lesson really came to me in the summer/fall of 2017. I was in France, had just won my 2nd world title in cycling, and was racing another stage race there before returning home to Canada.

During that last race I was hit by a car while descending down a mountain. I spent 8 days in a hospital in France before I was able to fly home to Canada. I lay in that hospital bed feeling defeated. I had worked so hard to get to where I was, only to get knocked down again. I thought a lot about fly fishing while in the hospital, and I would try and imagine myself being on the water as a way to cope with the physical pain I was experiencing.

Visualizing the water flowing downstream reminded me that these hard times would pass but that I was going to need to swim upstream to get back to where I wanted to go. I thought about Atlantic Salmon and the challenges they are faced with while returning to their natal rivers—their journey is far from easy.

From the river, to the ocean, then back to the river, they constantly face challenges.

They fight their way through countless predators, push through fishing nets, endure environmental changes, relentlessly leap up waterfalls, often to just get knocked down over and over again. They also know when to be patient, sitting in pools when water levels drop or temperatures get too high—timing is everything. I have learned that patience and perseverance go hand in hand. There are times when we need to work hard, push through, and persevere, and there are also times when we need to just be still, to rest, and be patient.

You’re an elite cyclist. How do you split your time between cycling and fly fishing?

I took this past year off of racing so I was able to be more flexible with my schedule, choosing to spend most of my time on the water and growing my business.

In previous years, I would fish around my training and race schedule. On days that I fished when I was living in Arizona, I would be on my bike at 4am so that I could get out on the water around 10am. When I was back in Canada, I would fish in the morning, train in the afternoon (when other anglers would be taking their siesta!), and then fish again in the evening.

Most cycling races tend to be held in places that have incredible fishing, so I would try and find a way to incorporate them both. Last summer when I raced in Italy, I went over a few days early so that I could fish. That way I am able to get the best of both worlds! I really try and plan my days as efficiently and effectively as possible so I can get the most out of them (all while making sure I get my 8 hours of sleep!).

Has fly fishing taught you anything that translates into being a better athlete?

Fly fishing has enabled me to become a more balanced and healthier athlete. There was a time when I allowed training and racing to take priority over everything in my life. I missed out on family events, my nephew being born, friends’ weddings etc.

When I was with my family and friends, I often struggled to be fully present, and my mind would still be on training. Fly fishing taught me the value of staying present in the moment. It provided me the space I needed to evaluate what truly was important to me. The more time I spent fishing, the more my priorities started to shift. I recognized that the bike didn’t need to come first in order for me to be successful at it.

What I needed to put first was my faith, my family/friends, then cycling/fly fishing. When I made this shift, my life became more fulfilling. I became happier, stronger, and even more passionate to live a life of purpose, authenticity, and integrity.

That all made me a better athlete, but most importantly, a better person.