Wellness and Fly Fishing by Tracey Stroup
I’m a personal trainer by trade. The past 17 years of my life have been dedicated to improving the fitness level of hundreds of people. My degree, acquired from the Pennsylvania State University is in Exercise and Sports science. In addition to my B.S., I have furthered my education in Naturopathic Medicine, Master Herbalist, Health Consultant, trigger point therapy and Hatha Yoga. My professional experience has consisted of physical therapy technician, cardiac rehabilitation specialist, personal trainer, body worker, fitness director and naturopathic doctor. But to be honest, fly fishing was something I thought Brad Pitt looked good doing. To truly confess, I never saw the movie, ‘A River runs through it’. I was completely oblivious to the entire concept of fly fishing until 2008. Although fly fishing was not part of my prior journey it became a substantial part of my future.
I was introduced to my husband, Eric Stroup by a mutual client. Dr. Angela Rowe was a long standing personal training client of mine and fly fisher woman extraordinaire! After a day on the water with Eric, she persuaded him to call his ‘perfect match’. She was correct. After a short courtship, we were married in Montana and my life exploded into the great outdoors.
Fly fishing became my new passion. I love the industry, the people and the serenity of a day on the water. Eric was well established in the industry and extremely good at his craft. Through his love of fly fishing, my interest was heightened and I wanted to learn it all. Because of my background I am always looking for a ‘workout’ or the ‘health benefit’ of anything. Lucky for me, fly fishing was both! It is an amazing sport utilizing a number of fitness principles and enhances the health of all those who participate. The one odd fact I have discovered over my recent years of experience was the neglect of preparation by most anglers and the lack of recognition in the industry that fly fishing is a sport.
It may not be played at a high intensity level but it still requires the physical body to perform for hours on end. And unprepared angler is risking injury every time they step on the stream. Of all the sports considered, fly fishing is the longest in duration; eight to ten hours on the water, casting hundreds or thousands of times while wading and balancing the entire time. Not only did I feel it my duty to inform my husband that he is wrong to think all the aches, pains and injuries were a normal part of the process, I felt I had to tell the majority.
Stroup Fly Fishing is truly the most unique combination of talents. Eric and I have dedicated our lives to teaching people proper techniques for a successful day on the water. It is the understanding of how to fish, the passion of loving to fish and the ability to physically sustain the duration injury and pain free that we pass along to our clients.
It is true I am the marketing manager, office manager and the friendly voice on the phone when an angler calls the office but the majority of my time is spent speaking and writing on the importance of physical health in fly fishing. Proper hydration, nutrition, flexibility, balance and physical condition are essential components of this awesome sport. It will enhance your game on the water and your life off the water.
