By Mike McKenna
Fly fishing can be pretty intimidating at first.
Those long temperamental rods and tiny flies aren’t very easy to deal with. Then there are the awkward-looking waders and vests to figure out. Plus, there are lots of old, serious-looking guys involved and it’s not a cheap sport to start. Yes, fly fishing definitely isn’t the easiest pastime to pick up.
But once you actually get into it, you’ll find that most members of the fly-fishing fraternity are actually quite kind and welcoming, especially the kind of folks involved in 5B Anglers.
The local nonprofit was founded back in 2021 with a goal “to create a space where anglers of all backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and help sustain the fisheries we all love” here in Blaine County.
It’s only fitting that two educators-turned-fishing-guides helped create 5B Anglers. Jill Clark taught locally for more than a quarter of century — beloved by countless students for both her life science classes and for running Wood River Middle School’s Reel Fun Fishing Club. After retiring as a teacher, Jill turned to guiding, which is where she met Morgan Aguilar.
Originally from New Jersey, Morgan and her husband Paul first enjoyed a sojourn to Sun Valley nearly a decade ago. They left for a spell, but the community here and our easy access to outdoor adventures soon called them back.
“We love everything about it here,” Morgan said.
Growing up fishing on the Atlantic Ocean, Morgan and Paul quickly got into fly fishing, tapping into the world-class waters that abound around Blaine County.
“In fly fishing, you’re forever learning and that’s something I really like about it,” said Morgan, who was a teacher back East.
It was while guiding when they first hooked into the idea of 5B Anglers. They began their efforts by asking folks in the angling world what they wanted and needed in the local fishing scene. The answers were as consistent as the spring spawning season for rainbow trout: help introducing more kids and women into fly fishing; basic education classes for all ages; social gathering to connect with and find fishing friends; ways to help protect our local fisheries.
5B Anglers has been doing a great job meeting these needs and fulfilling its mission. The membership-based nonprofit now offers regular Adult Fly Fishing 101 classes, regular “5B Anglers Happy Hours” at local restaurants, puts on camping events, organizes cleanup days and workshops on things like fly tying, provides informational tents at various local and regional events, and puts on the life-changing Kids Camps.
The summer Kids Camps teach local 8-13-year-olds about every angle of fly fishing and are given all the gear they need, as well.
“It’s a lot more than just a fishing camp,” Morgan said, explaining that participants “don’t just become more confident fishermen, but more confident people as well and they get a whole new perspective and appreciation for the river and the world around them.”
Find out more at 5BAnglers.org and support their efforts at the 2nd Annual Trout Bout Fishing Tournament and Dinner at the Cutthroat Club on Saturday, September 20th.
