Q&A With Sharon Lance, Mortensen Award Winner

How long have you been fishing?

I have been fishing as long as I have been a member of Trout Unlimited, around 18 years. 

What was the best fish you ever caught?

I have a lot of best fish stories. 

What are your home waters?

The South Platte in Colorado.

Is there a moment of which you are most proud of during your tenure at TU?

I am very proud of being able to get the Colorado Division of Wildlife to finally accept our Trout in the Classroom program for the high schools in Colorado.  With the addition of pathogen testing prior to the release of the fish, we were able to get approval for this outstanding program loved by teachers and students.

What do you see as the responsibilities of being a TU leader?

I try to never waste a volunteer's time. Time is so precious to everyone in this day and age.

In your day job, you're a certified financial planner. You have included TU in your estate plans. Why was that important to you?

Because I truly believe in Trout Unlimited and its mission, I feel obligated to help any way I can in building a sustainable future.

If you could only have one fly in your box, what would it be?

Parachute Adams

Do you have a favorite river?  Why?

My favorite river would be The Gunnison. I have some painful and wonderful, at the same time, memories of hiking down into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison 2.5 miles with a 35 pound pack on my back to camp and fish. On one of these occasions, I was having difficulty with the fish wanting anything I was offering. After trying to nymph a grasshopper pattern to no avail, I finally went to my wet flies. I started casting across the river, swinging the fly and started catching fish on almost every cast. My husband and my brother soon were begging flies off of me, at wilderness prices, of course.

You are a one-woman powerhouse in spreading the word about TU. How have you been so effective at that?

I don't know. Maybe I have a big mouth. I am also passionate about conservation.

What do you do in your spare time, when you're not fishing or preaching about TU?

I ski in the winter. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends over dinner and a glass of wine.

What is your most favorite story of bringing a new member into TU?

One day I was fishing by myself on the Arkansas River and as I was walking back to my car, I noticed a couple that appeared to be in a frenzy over something. When I walked up to them, I asked if I could help them with anything. The woman told me that her husband had a hook in his hand and they were going to have to go to the nearest emergency room to get it out. I looked at his hand and told them that I thought I could remove it without a trip to the ER. However, if I removed the hook, I would like them to consider becoming members of Trout Unlimited. I got the hook out much to their amazement and brought in two new members.