We have few new ambassadors lined up to introduce you to over the next few weeks and we are kicking it off with Melissa Ceren, who you may know by her Instagram handle @big_mac_fishing!

Fly fishing and mental health go hand in hand, and we’re firm believers in the benefits of spending time on moving water which is just one reason why we’re stoked to welcome Melissa to our Ambassador team! Melissa is a mental health professional who proudly leans into challenging conversations and normalizing better mental health awareness.

Be sure to follow along @big_mac_fishing to see how she puts TroutRoutes to use on the water with her guide clients this summer!

Get To Know TroutRoutes Ambassador, Melissa Ceren (@big_mac_fishing)!

Q: Describe your fly fishing journey up to the present. How did you start fly fishing? Where is your favorite place to fish?

A: About 3 years ago, my husband and I moved to Colorado. I have always had a deep appreciation for nature. At that time, I really enjoyed searching for birds and butterflies which became subjects of my watercolor paintings. My husband had a hunch that, for similar reasons, I would enjoy interacting with fish through fly fishing. We went on a guided trip which turned out to be not so fun – our guide was short tempered, making me feel inadequate as an angler. However, my husband convinced me to give it another shot. He gifted me a fly rod kit for my birthday and we ventured into the mountains in search of what he described as “a gorgeous red fish that swims around crystal clear lakes in the mountains.” After catching my first cutthroat trout, I was instantly hooked. From that day forward, I spent every possible moment on the water. Throughout the process of honing my skills, I became a guide for the very same local fly shop that sold me my first rod. To this day, my favorite place to fish is in the alpine during the summer, in pursuit of those elusive red fish. 

Q: What is your favorite fly pattern (either to fish or to tie yourself)?

A: Top secret. Just kidding! I really enjoy fishing black foam beetles on alpine lakes. While I spend a lot of time nymphing, I much prefer a dry fly eat when I can get it. 

Q: What TroutRoutes feature do you find yourself using the most?

A: My favorite feature within TroutRoutes is that I can download a selected area for use offline. It helps me to know exactly where the public and private delineations are. Then, I can explore with confidence that I am fishing a public stretch of water!

Q: What’s the most important thing you take away from the water at the end of a fishing trip?

A: A calm mind. A mix of fatigue and the meditative action of casting and perfecting each drift helps me to leave my anxieties behind.