Fly-fishing’s leading voices answer our quick-fire questions. This month, globetrotter Sarah Rønholt
Q
Do you believe that some people possess innate abilities that make them better fishers?
I think some people have a natural instinct for it. Some are better at being present, noticing the small but crucial details, the slightest nervous water, the subtle movement that could be the fish of a lifetime. I also think some people are wired differently. Some are naturally curious, adventurous and just stubborn enough to keep going. They're the ones who'll happily hike another few kilometres, fish around the next bend or try something completely different just to see what happens. They don't need to know the odds beforehand — that’s part of the fun. Others prefer to know where to go, what to do and what their chances are. Neither approach is wrong, but I do believe curiosity, persistence and a willingness to explore are traits that make exceptional anglers. In the end, the best anglers I've met aren't simply talented. They're curious, obsessed by detail and resilient enough to keep learning from failure and humble enough to know they've never stopped learning.
Q
Can someone be considered a “proper” fly-fisher if they don’t tie their own flies?
Yes. At least in my opinion. Since I don’t tie a lot of flies! I have bribed my partner Tobias to tie mine for the last 16 years, but I do really enjoy it.
Q
It’s been said that Euro-nymphing isn’t really fly-fishing. Some even believe that it’s detrimental to our sport. Do you use the method?
Nope!
Q
What is the first drink you order at the bar after a day on the water?
When in Argentina it's a fernet con coca (with Coke), every time. It’s not the most delicious drink, but it has character. In Scandinavia, we don't really head to the bar after fishing that often. Chances are we've already had a beer along the river or coast. But to be honest, I fish so often that most days it's just mate.
Q
Social media influencers are having a growing impact on fishing. Is that a good thing?
If we focus on the positive outcome, fly-fishing has never been more accessible. There's an incredible amount of knowledge available, and social media has connected people from all over the world. I've met some of my closest friends through it, and it's incredible to see how much the fly-fishing community continues to grow. That said, maybe people could all ease up a little on burning spots.
A beautiful golden dorado from the Paraná River in northern Argentina, fishing with the great people from Piracua Lodge.
New Year’s Eve in Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile. Thanks to the date, we practically had the place to ourselves and spent the day fishing for king salmon in the Río Serrano, with this magical backdrop and condors flying overhead.
Q
A fish must be caught to save your life. Who would you choose to catch it, and why?
Tobias. He's annoyingly reliable under pressure.
Q
What are your thoughts on the competition scene? Some believe that it makes them better fishers, while others argue that it contradicts the very essence of fly-fishing.
I think each to their own. I guess we’re all drawn to fishing for different reasons. For me, it's never been about competition, so it's not something I personally associate with my love of fly-fishing. But for someone else, a competition might be what motivates them to practice more, improve their skills or simply connect with other anglers.
Q
What is your current fishing car?
We just bought our dream car: an old, beautifully preserved Toyota Hilux that once served as a support vehicle in the Dakar Rally. It's got soul and plenty of stories already. The plan is to kit it out as the ultimate fly-fishing rig. Big plans for next year!
Q
It’s been said that ambivalence towards important causes is our great weakness as fishers. Should we be more vocal in standing up for our sport and the environments that support it?
I don't think every angler needs to be an activist, but I do think we all have a part to play.
None of us can solve the bigger challenges on our own, but that doesn't mean our individual actions don't matter. Often, meaningful change comes from lots of people doing small things. If you have a platform, you also have an opportunity to encourage that mindset. Raising awareness is valuable, but it's even better when it inspires people to get involved in whatever way they can. That's what sparked the idea of integrating conservation and education into every Fish & Chicks event. For me, it starts with connection. The more connected we feel to nature, the more likely we are to care about it, and to want to protect it.
A fresh grilse from a summer day on the Skjern River.
Our typical camp set-up: rooftop tent, fishing gear and clothes drying wherever there’s space. Tobias and I spent an entire season here, in Swedish Lapland fishing different rivers for Baltic salmon.
Q
What do you listen to on your way to the water?
I have the most chaotic playlist. It jumps from West-Coast hip-hop to Hans Zimmer. If I'm the DJ, I have a soft spot for cumbia, it just puts me in a good mood. Cumbia Sobre el Mar is probably my go-to track. Otherwise, you can never go wrong with Neil Young.
Q
Tell us the strangest, or scariest, experience you’ve had while fly-fishing.
Years ago, we were at an asado in Argentina with a friend who invited his new neighbour along. He spent the whole evening trying to convince us to join him on a trip in the mountains. Tobias was keen to go. I wasn't. I couldn't explain why, but I had a gut feeling and politely declined. He invited us into his trailer home that felt like a scene from the Netflix Jeffrey Dahmer series. He had black plastic bags taped on all windows. It was dark and eerie. He had ropes, knives and axes on the walls, hardly any furniture and he slept on a dirty mattress on the floor. He had a big chest freezer in his living room. About a year later, we learned that parts of a body from a local transwoman had been found buried in his garden. He had been on the run for murder — it was all over the news in Argentina. In retrospect, that was pretty scary.
Q
Does using high-quality tackle make a difference to your catch returns?
Yes — no doubt about it. The beauty of fly-fishing is that it can be as simple or as technical as you want it to be. For me, high-quality tackle makes a huge difference. I fish so many different waters and conditions that having the right gear for the different scenarios is essential. When travelling around the globe for fish, I need gear I can trust completely. When you know your set-up inside out, it becomes second nature, allowing you to focus on reading the water and fishing as effectively as possible.
Q
What is the greatest life lesson that fishing has taught you?
Patience, to be 100 per cent present, and to be courageous enough to keep chasing adventure.
Tobias with a beautiful meter-plus Atlantic salmon from the Skjern River, caught during the spring.
Fishing Lago Strobel for big rainbow trout, better known as Jurassic Lake, in the legendary Patagonian wind. We fished with the great people from Jurassic Lake Lodge.
Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, where migrating salmon draw brown bears to the river for their annual feast. I spent a week in the national park with my camera and fly-rod, thanks to Skylar Lamont and her husband, who were building Katmai Sky Lodge — they finished it this year.
Q
Imagine: an environmental law is proposed that would see every river, lake and ocean on Earth restored to perfect health for eternity. The catch: it can only be passed if you give up fishing. What do you do?
I'd probably be the most hated person on Earth, chasing that one last miserable salmon out there! No, of course I'd give up fishing. Healthy rivers, lakes and oceans are worth far more than my own love of fly-fishing. But there is always a “but.” I also find it difficult to imagine a world where nature becomes something we're only allowed to admire from a distance. Is it enough to know that the rivers have recovered if we're no longer able to engage with them? So yes, I'd make that sacrifice without hesitation. But I'd also hope we'd never end up in a world where conservation means turning nature into a museum. I think people will only protect what they know and love, and they know it best when they're allowed to be part of it.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH RØNHOLT/TOBIAS PARK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Rønholt
Sarah Rønholt is a Danish fly-fisher, freelance photographer and founder of Fish&Chicks, an international community introducing more women to fly-fishing, nature and conservation. Together with her partner of 16 years, Tobias, she has spent more than a decade travelling and fly-fishing around the world.
