Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Hill.
Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been fly fishing since I was a teenager. A friend in high school, who was a self-proclaimed Fly Casting Olympics champion (if I remember correctly) taught me the basics. I fished obsessively through my teenage years and early 20s. It almost got me kicked out of college on two occasions. By my late 20s and early 30s, I was chasing a career, not trout and found little time or interest to fish.
By my mid-30s, with a nice career resume, I was mentally stuck. I needed change. I needed to rebalance. I needed renewal (I’ve spoken to this on my website for anyone who wants to read more). And I found it back in my home waters along the rivers of northern Utah. I was in the midst of starting my first business but made regular time to get up onto the river. Around that time, I got to know the folks at Western Rivers Flyfisher pretty well and I soaked up every piece of knowledge and wisdom I could with every visit. The place became like my own version of Cheers. I’d listen to their stories of stalking fish with dry flies with intent. And what I picked up from them, was a different way of fishing than that which I had grown up doing. They emphasized the experience. A holistic event that included getting in tune with nature to become a better fly fisherman. To observe. And this is one of the greatest attributes an angler can have, I believe. To be an observer of your environment. To immerse yourself into that world. And also, to be a steward of it.
Since then, I’ve considered the folks at the shop friends. Steve Schmidt, who is the owner and a legend in the Fly Fishing world, has taught me countless tips and tricks. I enjoy it whenever he and I get to chat. Kigen Curtice, who for many, many years was the head guide at Western, is now a dear friend of mine, and in my many trips out with him, has blown my mind with what people can do with a dry fly. The shop also opened up doors for me to fish with other industry badasses like Hilary Hutcheson, who has not only taught me a ton but has been very encouraging of me in starting this business.
So, fast forward a few years. I had taught a handful of friends to fish. Every time they said, “Wow, you are really good at teaching this! Have you thought about doing it for a living?” It took me a while to get over my own imposter syndrome but eventually pulled the trigger in March of 2022. I now try to get out on the water teaching folks dry fly fishing 2-3 times a week when my other marketing business allows. It’s important for me to teach people the ethics, wonder, and joy of dry fly fishing that I’ve picked up from those who have been kind enough to teach me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, things have gone smoothly since this is my side-hustle. I think one of the hardest things to conquer when you start a new business is the imposter syndrome. Our own brains getting in the way of our own success. It’ll take me a while to get a regular routine with this business, but I have faith that if I put in the work, things will work out!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started Hatch Academy to teach the art of dry fly fishing and its therapeutic nature. I believe that when you are dry fly fishing, you connect to the environment around you unlike any other experience around, even if you aren’t catching fish. It is an immersive experience that will last you a lifetime, and if you are lucky, you’ll get to share that joy with others just like I do.
Hatch Academy will craft a unique experience for each angler that works with your individual skill level, moves at a comfortable pace, and achieves your individual fly fishing goals. So that when you’re ready, you can load up your rod, reel, and gear on a random Thursday and hit the water with confidence and self-sufficiency.
So let’s get outside together!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
While I’ve been fishing for over 20 years, I wouldn’t feel comfortable having a take on the industry just yet. I’ve largely been an outsider soaking up knowledge and I’d refer people back to the people I mentioned before, who are true Professors of the sport – Steve and Hilary.
That being said, I have a few observations. First, my hope is that with the influx of fly fishermen and women in the past few years, they are being taught about the importance of the experience, not just how many fish they can yank out of the water. Second, take time to soak in the non-fishing elements of the experience. Fly fishing can be an amazing elixir for all of the modern ailments we as a society face; anxiety, depression, lack of connection, etc. There are numerous studies that show being outdoors reduces these things, so take advantage of it, even if it’s a slow day on the water. You’re in one of the most beautiful places on earth, for God’s sake! Third, these places where we get to fish are special. I hope that the education they get from my classes (or, hell, someone else’s) will instill in them a lifelong respect and appreciation of these waters. They won’t last forever if we don’t respect them and treat them appropriately.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hatchacademyut.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hatch_utah
