I was born and raised in the Appalachian foothills of North Alabama and was drawn to the outdoors from as far back as I can remember. I grew up on a farm, where I had hundreds of acres to freely roam, and it was there that I discovered my passion for insects and the natural world. At the age of 8, my dad told me that if I truly loved insects and fishing, that I needed to learn to fly fish. We drove out West that summer, stopping at Cabela’s in Nebraska, where I got my first fly rod. I have been “hooked” on fly fishing ever since.
Upon graduation from Auburn University, I followed my heart West by way of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, ultimately landing in Driggs, Idaho. In Driggs, all aspects of the outdoors continue to be a part of my everyday life, whether it be fishing, hunting, skiing or hiking. Since moving West, my appreciation for, and access to, public lands has increased exponentially.
My husband is a Navy Veteran and fly-fishing guide in Idaho, and I am the Manager of Volunteer Operations for Trout Unlimited. Our lives are completely entwined with conservation and public land use. When I am not working, I can usually be found on the water or exploring my giant backyard, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with my dogs, Bug, Missy, Bee & Diffie.