Meris McHaney

I was lucky enough to have a dad who wanted to share the extraordinary sport of fly fishing with his kids. Every weekend in high school, we would drive three hours down to the Texas Coast to chase redfish. It wasn’t until I started college that I saw the impact fly fishing had had on me. I had a stronger connection with my dad, had more self-confidence and patience, and truly understood what it meant to work hard at something and see it pay off. Fly fishing is a passion of mine, but I’d like to think it is so much more than that. It has brought me my best friends, taken me to new places on this earth, given me a few tan lines here and there, and has shown me how incredible this planet we call home truly is.

During my time in college, I have done as much as I can to give back to the sport that has given so much to me. I’m the President of my university’s Trout Unlimited chapter. I’m proud to be a part of the Fish for Change program. I make short films about the impact fly fishing can have on you to try and further the participation in the sport. If more people fly-fished, more people would care about and fight to save our environment.