Ashley White - The Art, Healing Power, and Wild Adventure of Fly Fishing

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with professional fly fisherman Ashley White, who shares his journey into fly fishing and how it has profoundly impacted his mental health and personal growth. The conversation delves into the therapeutic nature of the outdoors, the art of fly tying, and the strong sense of community within the fly fishing world. Ashley opens up about how fly fishing has served as a powerful healing outlet for trauma survivors, reflecting on personal milestones, the joy of fishing, and the restorative power of nature. He also discusses his passion for the outdoors and his brand The Gentleman Lumberjack. The discussion covers various fishing techniques, the accessibility of the sport, and practical advice on getting started, from investing in gear to embracing the adventures that await in the wild.

Follow Ashley White on Instagram: @the_gentleman_lumberjack

The Gentleman Lumberjack: www.thefishinggent.com

Book Ashley as a fly fishing guide: https://fishing-for-all.com/

Tommy Corey's episode which features Ashley: Listen here

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

3:20 Welcome, Ashley White and the beauty of Minnesota

9:13 Why Ashley was drawn to fly fishing and how he got into the sport

13:55 The beauty of the slowness of fly fishing

26:05 The benefit of fly fishing for trauma survivors

42:59 Community and camaraderie over success

49:39 The childlike freedom of fishing and outdoor play

54:11 Different types of angling

58:05 Ashley's brand, the Gentleman Lumberjack

1:05:10 Advice for beginners wanting to start fly fishing

1:11:23 The average cost of a fly fishing course and gear

1:31:27 How the fly fishing community is evolving and the future of the sport

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• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
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• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 3:20 Welcome, Ashley White and the beauty of Minnesota
• 9:13 Why Ashley was drawn to fly fishing and how he got into the sport
• 13:55 The beauty of the slowness of fly fishing
• 16:04 The artisan ability of creating flies
• 23:20 The first fish Ashley ever caught
• 26:05 The benefit of fly fishing for trauma survivors
• 30:59 Ashley's wife's traumatic birth with their daughter led to PTSD diagnosis for Ashley
• 34:59 The importance of prioritizing mental health
• 40:21 3 minutes in the sun
• 41:51 The path that led Ashley to becoming a fly fishing guide
• 42:59 Community and camaraderie over success
• 49:39 The childlike freedom of fishing and outdoor play
• 52:40 Beer tits
• 54:11 Different types of angling
• 58:05 Ashley's brand, the Gentleman Lumberjack
• 1:02:00 Most challenging fishing locations
• 1:05:10 Advice for beginners wanting to start fly fishing
• 1:07:54 The bodies of water you can fly fish in
• 1:11:23 The average cost of a fly fishing course and gear
• 1:16:20 Angling gear to not skimp on
• 1:20:22 Ashley's most unusual and surprising catch
• 1:22:26 How long it takes to reel a catch in
• 1:24:31 Ashey's focus on the whole experience
• 1:31:27 How the fly fishing community is evolving and the future of the sport
• 1:43:19 How to connect with Ashley