Christopher Hull shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Christopher, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
The unique niche that we fill is hard to understand, yet alone explain. We, my girlfriend and I, operate a fly-fishing fly company, that sells exclusive flies designed by me, a former fly fishing guide. We, a fellow fly fishing guide and myself, tie all the flies ourselves, here in the United States. This is very unique in that most fly companies outsource this work overseas, and most fly companies do not sell exclusive patterns only. They accept fly submissions from guides, weekend warrior anglers, and employees from their largest fly shop accounts typically.
These “Signature Tyers”, as they are called, submit fly patterns, and if picked up by those other large, corporate fly companies, their flies are then mass produced by overseas labor and then distributed back in the United States. The “Signature Tyers” receive a royalty for their now less than sub-par quality fly tied by someone else, and they get the credit for being an amazing fly designer.
So we thought, what if “We did things completely and absolutely different than everyone else?” and we’re the fly designers, the tyers, and the distributor? We don’t care about our egos, we just care about good flies that catch fish that are tied locally in the United States.
Why submit flies to the fly company when you can just start your own fly company, and offer better quality flies to anglers? So here we are….
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Chris Hull, and I’m the Founder of Colorado Fly Angler. We produce fly fishing flies; flies that are inspired by innovation, designed by a fly fishing guide for results, and tied here in the United States for superior quality.
We offer something very unique in both our products, as well as our business model. We sell flies that are unique & exclusive to the Colorado Fly Angler brand both through our website, as well as wholesale, and we do not send our products overseas to be manufactured, which is very unusual in this line of work.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe that in business, as well as in life, intent hurts people and relationships. Mistakes are made all the time, by all parties involved, in all facets of life. I think as a society we are pretty forgiving for honest mistakes and behavioral indifferences. But in the case of intent, I think relationships hurt dearly when hurt is inflicted intentionally. Trust is earned, and it can also be lost, even unintentionally. But when negative intent is introduced, it really tells you about someone, so it has the power to break bonds.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. Running a business is the hardest hat I’ve ever had to dawn. I’ve managed businesses, people, as well as several small to large food and beverage operations, and everything in between; and the grueling work you put into your own business is unparalleled. It is rewarding, but it is a sacrifice of time and freedom, sometimes financial freedom even. Sometimes the voice does ask if it’s best to try something else, but you go on. It’s worth it. It’s something that you can’t explain unless you have felt it, that success. Reaching a success that you created is the ultimate reward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my industry tells itself is that what we do at Colorado Fly Angler is impossible. It’s been long held to be true that a fly company in the United States must outsource it’s labor to cheap overseas markets to be successful. While we haven’t knocked those other fly businesses out of the water yet (far from it, actually) we have found success that seems to be always growing and gaining steam.
The fact that we are growing, that fly shops are beginning to ask for our product catalog, that reason alone tells us that what we are doing here at Colorado Fly Angler; tying flies here in the United States that are unique to our brand, and then turning around and offering those higher quality flies that have proven results is something that consumers are appreciative of.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I believe that giving everything your all, your best, is just the most honest way, and therefore the happiest way of making it through every day. I’m not saying I have every day, but I’ve definitely done it most days, without much praise, so we must be doing something right, right?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coloradoflyangler.com
- Instagram: @thecoloradoflyangler
- Other: Info@coloradoflyangler.com – email
Image Credits
Colorado Fly Angler credit all photos
