A member of the CU Fly Fishing Club tries his luck at Taylor River near Gunnison, Colorado, in 2023. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Schrott)
CU Fly Fishing Club connects new generations of students on and off the river
By Sophia Diamond
Every year, members of the CU Fly Fishing Club travel to Gunnison, Colorado, where they fish, reconnect and camp with the students who return to the trip year after year.
For senior Tyler Schrott, those trips have helped turn his fellow club members into lifelong friends.
As the CU Fly Fishing Club approaches its 20th year on campus, the club continues to grow alongside the relationships formed on and off the river.
In 2017, CU Boulder Today reported the club had 35 active members. Today, the club has around 260 active members, according to faculty sponsor Joel Starbuck.
Starbuck, who has served as the club’s faculty sponsor for the past five years, said the atmosphere was different when he first got involved.
“When I first became involved in the club, it was cliquish,” Starbuck said. “Those who had the toys kind of hung together and made it very difficult and uncomfortable for the students who just wanted to learn about it and get involved.”
Starbuck said experienced members are now more willing to help newcomers learn about the sport, helping create a community around an activity that can often be viewed as individuals.
“It is what you want it to be,” Starbuck said. “If you want time alone on the river in nature, there’s that. If you want to spend time on the river with friends, there’s also that aspect to it, too, where you can fish side by side.”
Schrott joined the club as a freshman after moving to Boulder from Maryland without knowing anyone at CU Boulder. Four years later, he’s served on the club’s board during his time in college and lives with other members.
“Meeting people at that trip and then staying in touch and being like, “Who’s going on this trip this year?” Schrott said. “Following up every year kind of builds that communication pathway.”
For Schrott, fly fishing provided him with an escape from his busy student life.
“When you’re fly fishing, there’s really not a lot of time to think about other things,” Schrott said. “You’re so focused on all the little things you need to focus on.”
As he prepares to graduate, Schrott said he is glad he built those habits early. What began as a way to get outdoors became something he has been part of for all four years at CU. It’s not only a club, but also a community that has extended far beyond the rivers.
Ted Hobbs joined the club as a freshman three years ago. At his first meeting, he met several members who became close friends, including his current roommate.
Hobbs said a weekend club trip to Almont, Colorado, near Gunnison, made him feel like he truly belonged.
“Afterwards, I really felt like I was part of a great community and was excited to spend time with them for the next three years or longer,” Hobbs said.
