Conversations with the Inspiring Shyanne Orvis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shyanne Orvis.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Reflecting back on my childhood as a young girl, I never had much interest in the hobbies that most girls participated in. Instead, I would spend hours roaming the thick, Michigan woods behind our small mobile home – only coming back when it was too dark to see. Arriving at the front door, with a dirty dress and cold feet. I always gravitated towards the sports that the neighborhood boys would do. Skateboarding, dirt biking, football, and building jumps to hit on my bike. It seemed much more exciting than my barbies. When the weekends came, my parents would bring me along on their fishing excursions. From dawn till dusk, passionate they were, I’d watch while they hooked into salmon to take home for dinner. I spent my early years of conventional fishing with my parents. My entire family has been obsessed for generations, with my grandfather being the only fly fisherman in the family. He had owned a small fishing business on Lake Michigan. No, not the company Orvis. While I am often asked of the relation, I suppose I can clarify. I am a descendant of Roger who is Charles Orvis brother, and while Orvis was sold in the ’60s. I’d like to think the heritage and passion for fishing run through my blood.

I was introduced to the sport by my grandfather but didn’t really find the passion for it until later. When I was twelve, due to unfortunate circumstances at home, I began moving around a lot, living in different places with different families. When I got into high school is when I really started to discover my passion for fishing. I had a friend who often went fly fishing with her family and she kindly showed me the way into the sport. Her passion and love for the sport was contagious and inspired me on my own journey! Then when I had turned 18 and moved to Colorado, I was able to explore that world on my own. I dove headfirst into the sport of fly fishing. Some friends taking me under their wing and showing me the ropes. It was my own version of fishing then what I had known as a child. I found myself at peace when I was on the river. In the midst of a challenging childhood, fishing is what kept me grounded and in some ways even healed me. It was the calm to the chaos. Now it’s my personal mission to introduce this sport to my clients, my friends, children and women through my “Ladies On The Fly” clinics in my community. To inspire and empower more people to get out onto the water and experience why we all love fly fishing so much.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the most important things I’ve learned along this journey is that the path your paving is difficult. You’re not walking the path that was already freshly cut for easy access with signs along the way telling you where to go. You’re bushwhacking through chest-high, thick interwoven bushes scratching your arms and legs as you push through. They were designed to keep people out, honestly, for some people, it will. Some people will likely give up half-way through and walk back to where they started and you have to decide if that’s going to be you. My family and friends often thought that my dreams were too ambitious, and only dreaming about the life I wanted to live wasn’t going to manifest it. It took hard work, patience, dedication and my journey has just begun.

Becoming a female fishing guide in a male-dominated sport was challenging. With very few female guides throughout the country, it’s easy to not be taken very seriously. When I first started guiding, I had to be willing to work harder than most just to prove my worth and earn my place among the guys. It’s not uncommon for clients to be confused when they hear that a young female is their fishing guide for the day. But after persevering through the negative remarks, the hard work finally paid off. The disapproving comments are few and far between and as more and more females enter the fly fishing world, we collectively pave the path for future generations.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a fly fishing guide, I’m fortunate enough to call the river my office. I get to introduce the sport of fishing to people from all around the world. Based out of Colorado, most of my clients travel to my area for the chance to immerse themselves in the beautiful outdoors and go fly fishing on world-renowned Gold Medal rivers for trout. Being that there are few females in the fly fishing industry, I have a strong presence on social media and in the industry, so I often host trips and events around the world to inspire and encourage other aspiring anglers to pursue this sport.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
I listened to a podcast recently by Rachel Hollis and John Maxwell, in it, he shared a ‘crabs in the bucket’ analogy that really resonated with me. So, I’ll share it with you now “When Fisherman trap crabs, they just dump them in a bucket on the pier. No lid. Nothing to trap the crabs and keep them inside. Why? Because if any crab tries to climb out of the bucket and escape, the others will pull it back down”

Many of us will often experience this throughout our lives. Especially when deciding to take a route that is different than the norm. Whether it’s family, friends or co-workers, they fear failure so they fear our success. It’s not always the case, however, but if you’re like me, this was mine. At some point, you have to realize that you are in control of your life. Nobody gets to decide what you can or can do, or how big your dreams can be.

Pricing:

• Half Day Guided Trip is $410
• Full Day Guided Trip $495

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shyanneorvis.com
• Phone: 810-962-0635
• Email: shyanneorvis@gmail.com
• Instagram: @shyanneorvis

Image Credit:
Jesse Packwood

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