Family, Faith, and Fishing are the best words to describe this week’s Faces of Fly fishing. We had the opportunity to sit down with THE Derek Olthuis. There is no doubt this guy can fish… He has the patience, intelligence, and spirit that several fishermen seem to lack. This past winter he and InTents Media released a trip targeting the “holy grail” up in Canada’s Arctic Circle.
Flylords: Who is Derek Olthuis?
Derek: I am simply a guy who loves fly fishing so much that I couldn’t possibly handle the thought of an office job and so… I pursued a career in fly fishing! I am a Christian, a family man, and an outdoorsman.

Flylords: How do you get to do what you do?

Flylords: When did the fly fishing journey begin?
Derek: As a boy, I grew up on a small lake in Montana, fishing was the daily norm. Around 8 years old my uncle invited me to come to Bozeman and give fly fishing a shot. He set me up with all the gear, gave me a quick lesson, and sent me out on the Gallatin River. My mind was blown, casting, reading the river, and the fish was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It only took once with the flies replacing the spinners, and the ugly stick turned into a Browning fly rod with an Orvis reel. Since that first time I have never looked back, fly fishing became my main focus.
Flylords: Is there a downfall to all the traveling?
Derek: The hardest part about traveling is being away from my wife and kids. After roughly a week on the road, it becomes tough to be away and as good as fishing might be I start looking forward to being at home.

Flylords: How do you manage fly fishing time and family time?

Flylords: What was one of the most memorable films that you were apart of?
Flylords: What makes the Arctic char the “holy grail�

Flylords: Whose idea was it to kneel during the struggle?

Flylords:Â Were you ever afraid of the dangers on these trips?

Flylords: What’s the largest fish you’ve ever caught on a fly rod?

Flylords: Favorite fly pattern?

Flylords: What’s the most underrated piece of gear you have?
Derek: Either sunglasses or the hook. I see a ton of people show up to fish with an expensive rod, reel, line, fishing bag, waders, and so on. Then often people’s hooks are cheap, rusty or dull and they are wearing sunglasses they bought at the gas station. Sunglasses are what allows me to see fish and observe them, giving me all the clues to catch them. And hooks are your most important link between you and the fish. All the other pieces of equipment only work if the hook is sharp and strong enough to get the job done. All of the best gear is next to worthless if you have a crappy hook.

Flylords: What destination would you recommend for a group of angling buddies?

Flylords: Have you learned any lessons about life or fishing from all the fishing you do around the globe?
Derek: Fishing around the world has really taught me a lot. It has shown me how many amazing places there are in the world, how many great people love fish and fishing, and just how lucky I am to live where I live. As much as I love traveling it is hard to beat the Rocky Mountains in the US and Canada. There is so much diversity in the West between types of fish and places to pursue them it has really made me appreciate the areas I so often take for granted.
Flylords: Any upcoming trips?
Derek: In the remaining months of the year myself and the crew will be heading to Minipi in Eastern Canada, Katmai Trophy Lodge in Alaska, and Seychelles. Each will be unique from the others but I can’t wait to fish them all. To be honest, I am really looking forward to fishing around the home from most of the summer, it has been a blast so far!

This interview was conducted by team member Collin Terchanik.
Header photo by Phil Tuttle.
https://theflylords.com/2019/07/16/faces-of-fly-fishing-tanner-smith/
https://theflylords.com/2019/05/02/faces-of-fly-fishing-christiaan-pretorius/