Guest Angler Q&A Series: April Vokey

In this monthly series, we sit down with guests from across to angling community to bring new perspectives and share a glimpse into different aspects of the sport, fisheries and watersheds, and culture. This month, we spoke with April Vokey - fly fisher, outdoorswoman, casting instructor, podcaster, membership coordinator for Anchored Outdoors, mother, world-traveler, DIY enthusiast, and master of dirty jokes. Enjoy!

Tell us about yourself and how you got started in the sport.

I started just like many of us did, with a spin rod. For me, it began by trolling worms with my dad. He didn't really fish, but we liked going out on the boat and fishing together. From there, my interest was piqued, and I started asking questions. Why are they not biting? Why do we sometimes get bites? What are they eating? What have they been feeding on? A big part of it was just understanding the behavior of fish while also having a fascination with water.

As a kid who loved moving water, I would stand on bridges and look down at the rocks, trying to spot fish. Salmon were a big part of the appeal because it's a lot harder for a five-year-old to go and watch trout feeding, but it's really easy to go and watch salmon, especially because, back then, they were in abundance. I was a Girl Guide for years (similar to Girl Scouts in the US), so we would go to the local hatchery and watch how the fish behaved.

As I got older, my mom and dad explained salmon migration, and I understood that if the river is only, say, 15 feet wide and the fish inevitably have to pass through it, I’d have a pretty good shot at catching one. From there, it was all just a downward tumble. I busted my spin rods, started using bait casters and eventually pins, single hand fly rods, and so on.

And from there, you got into fly fishing? 

Yes! I'd seen some guys fly fishing down in the lower stretch of the Vedder River in Chilliwack, British Columbia. I had my bait caster at the time, and I could see them casting against a poplar backdrop. It was all very romantic. It was the time of year when summer transitioned to autumn, leaves were yellow and falling in the sun. They were casting in a way I’d never seen before. I’d seen it in commercials and photos but not someone actually casting. And that was it. I had to do it.

My dad tells the story that I got home that day and he’s asked, “What's wrong? What's going on with you?” I think I was 18 at the time, and I responded, “I saw the most wonderful thing today… I saw some men fly fishing. I don’t know how I am going to do it, but I'm going to do that for a living.” And he said, “Ok. Go get it!” I buckled down from that day onward and decided that I was going to get good at it, accumulate some gear, and make it happen. The only way to do that at the time was to be a guide, so I focused on understanding the fishery and learning where the fish were.

My career in fly fishing was not a mistake. I stumbled upon it, but from there, I was very intentional. I waitressed at night so that I could afford to buy the gear and lived off little to no sleep, often just driving straight to the river and sleeping in my car in the gravel pullouts. One day, while I was out there, I met my first fishing buddy, Dave Puffer. Dave didn't really fly fish, but he used to own a shop and he knew I wanted to fly fish. Dave had this old eight-weight Shakespeare glass rod, and he said, “You know, you can have this. It doesn't have a reel or line. You're going to have to get those yourself.” And it all just snowballed from there. Soon I had the rod, a reel, a line. I had an old casting VHS tape and watched it while sitting on the edge of my bed, trying to learn the muscle memory of the double haul. I remember the day it all came together. I’d driven to the lake with my mom and was so confused as to why all the guys were saying that this was so hard… they made the double haul sound like some sort of impossible feat. The rest is history, I guess.

So when did steelhead come into your life?

I remember sitting on the river with Dave one year. It was late November and freezing cold. The river was quieter then, and it was just us. I think we saw one other person that day. We had our Stanley thermos and were drinking hot coffee. I expressed that I was feeling gloomy about the season winding down. I wasn’t depressed, just really down. Coho season was wrapping up, and I wasn't ready for it to end. When you're young, you don't get cold or tired… you’re powered by optimism. I was on a bit of a salmon high and not ready to come down.

Dave, who was in his sixties then, said, “Well, I'm done for the season, but if you're not done, why don't you start steelhead fishing?” And I was like, “What’s a steelhead? That's a cool name I've never heard.” He explained that it was a rainbow trout that went to the ocean and back. As the coho pushed out and the salmon were done, steelhead season began, but only the truly hardcore fished for winter steelhead. That season, I really dove all in, fishing spoons and understanding the elusive steelhead. I was never the same after that winter.

Coincidentally, that was the year I started to learn who I was. I was a young woman finishing school and had lots of questions about where life would take me. I’ve always likened my own internal journey to that of steelhead, which is why I feel so loyal to them. You're alone, tired, pushing yourself to the limits and wildest adventures. I love them because they represent my personal growth. It was a relationship I could always turn to. We had our highs and lows, and sometimes it let me down, but that was my relationship at that time.

You now share your passion with your daughter. What is your guidance to those looking to get kids into the sport?

It's definitely tough. I swore I would never push my daughter into fishing so that I would know she really wanted it. But because our lifestyles are so entrenched in fishing, it was inevitable she got a lot of exposure. Now she's six. She likes fishing, but she enjoys rowing or chatting with other anglers more. She caught her first steelhead on the fly when she was five, but to her, it was just another fish. We may have spoiled it for her.

So I would say, don't spoil them too fast with opportunity because they may not realize how lucky they are. Secondly, make sure the passion is 100% theirs. Our kiddo thrives when it’s her turn to teach friends, not just following in our footsteps. Lastly, always find ways to make it fun. For our daughter, rowing was the unexpected joy. She loves boats, and we’ve embraced that interest.

Are you working on a children’s book?

Yes, I wrote a book last year with my daughter in mind. I've taken my time publishing it, but hopefully it'll be out this Christmas. Writing for kids is different from writing for adults, and I wanted to get it right. As a Girl Guides leader, I get feedback from the girls, which has been invaluable.

Since starting the book, our kiddo has become more interested in the outdoors. The book's lesson is that we learn through our children and see through their eyes. This concept has inspired her, making her feel more confident and engaged.

What is your perspective on how social media impacts the sport of fishing?

Social media has both pros and cons. It's great for networking and building a community. I feel connected to many people I've never met in person, sharing parenting advice and stories.

However, issues like spot burning and pressure on fisheries are concerns. Anglers must be mindful of these impacts, though it's not a problem created solely by social media. We used to rely on topo maps and gradient studies; now, we have Google Earth.

The key is balancing modern tools with traditional knowledge. We must invest time in understanding life before the internet. Despite its drawbacks, I wouldn't trade the internet for anything, as the benefits outweigh the negatives.

As a figure in the sport, what message would you share with the future generation of anglers?

Don’t be afraid to make your voice heard. Stick to your beliefs and advocate for your passions. The younger generation should fight for their love of the outdoors. My biggest fear is losing outdoor advocacy, leading to corporate dominance. Stand firm and promote what you cherish.

Last question, skagit or scandi?

I like Scandi because it allows you to feel the cast. It’s not that I don’t like Skagit; it's just a little too compact for my taste. Skagit has its time and place, but if I had my choice, I prefer the more graceful and elegant casting stroke of Scandi.

Thanks April for sitting down with us and sharing your story!

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Your Name: April Vokey

Location & Home Water: Sydney, NSW and Northern British Columbia

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Favorite Species: Steelhead

Favorite Fly Pattern: Anything that can cast well and hold a decent profile

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Favorite Rod / Reel Set-up: A medium action 13’6” rod paired with a click and pawl reel