25 Sep Round Up: Spotlight: Women on the Water

In a world where outdoor adventuring often feels intimidating, Shyanne Orvis is redefining the narrative one cast at a time. As a guide, conservationist, and passionate advocate for women in fly fishing, Orvis has built a reputation defined not just by her skill on the water but also by her unassuming authenticity and commitment to building community. Whether she’s navigating rapids or sharing her story, she brings a fresh, inclusive perspective to a traditionally male-dominated space, offering the invitation to adventure not just for some, but for all.

Here, Orvis describes the formative power of nature, the metamorphosis inherent in motherhood, and the empowerment that becomes possible when we seek out what lights us up and share it, perpetually, with the world.

BECCA MCBRIDE

BIG SKY JOURNAL: You have a deeply personal connection to fly fishing and the outdoors. How did early experiences shape your journey in a career defined by that connection? What have been the greatest challenges and rewards in following your passion? 

SHYANNE ORVIS: I spent the entirety of my summers as a kid either on a fishing boat trolling for salmon and steelhead or at the end of a dock with a Barbie rod in one hand and a leech in the other. I found comfort in those early mornings on the water in northern Michigan: When everything else seemed like chaos during my childhood, fishing was the one constant. It gave me a connection to the water and the outdoors, and as I got older, I found so much purpose in picking up fishing again.

I spontaneously moved to Colorado at 18 and was immediately immersed in the world of fly fishing. It wasn’t like the fishing I had known as a little girl, and while I had a little exposure to it in Michigan, targeting trout on the fly in the mountains was a vastly different experience. After sight fishing a brown trout on the upper Roaring Fork River, I was hooked. Over the following years, I learned as much as I could by spending every free moment on the river. At the time, I had no idea what my future had in store, but I knew I wanted fly fishing to be an essential part of it. Eleven years later, and I feel that I’ve just scratched the surface of the potential opportunities within this space.

Guiding is a critical stepping stone in my story. While catching fish is an important part of the experience, the trips I offer provide so much more than that. Guiding has allowed me to connect with people all over the world, to hear their stories and learn from them. It’s allowed me to share meaningful, unique experiences with them while giving them space on the river to reconnect with themselves and nature.

DYLAN BROWN

As I reflect on my journey, I now understand that there will always be challenges for anyone seeking success in their chosen field. Just as in life, those challenges can make or break you — it’s how you decide to navigate the hurdles that ultimately shapes who you are and how you move through the world. 

BSJ: As a strong advocate for women in fly fishing, how have you seen the industry react to women’s presence over the years? Are you seeing numbers increase or decrease, and is continued work necessary toward cultivating inclusivity for all?

ORVIS: In the past decade, I’ve seen tremendous growth in female angling. There’s definitely been a positive shift in recent years, and it’s truly been so inspiring to watch as more women step into guiding positions, host travel operations, and open fly shops and lodges. I think we have a long way to go, but I’m in awe watching women pave their own path in this industry. It gives me hope that we’re moving in the right direction.

BSJ: What does a perfect day on the water look like for you?

ORVIS: I’d like to think I try to find beauty in every river outing. There’s no “perfect” day on the water because every experience is so vastly different and rewarding in its own way. Whether it’s a hard day on the river and a few tough lessons that come with it, or a great day of guiding and connecting with new people, or perhaps hiking into the backcountry with my 3-year-old, it’s all equally fulfilling. There’s beauty in all of the moments, and finding balance between parenting, my career as a guide, and personal time on the water continues to fill my cup.

BSJ: What prompted the writing of your children’s book, To the River We Go, and what are your hopes for its impact?

ORVIS: Writing To the River We Go was kind of a spontaneous decision. I was inspired by a 12-hour road trip during which I sat in the backseat with my 7-month-old, attempting to entertain him in any way I could. While scouring the internet for children’s books on fly fishing, I found that all the ones I liked were geared toward older kids. I wanted something that shared the entire process of gearing up for the river, and selfishly, I wanted to include key terms so that my son would later be able to point out things like waders and fly rods. At 18 months old, he was doing exactly that. He could name various fly patterns and all the gear, and when we spent time on the river, he understood the process of it all. I hope that this book helps foster curiosity for exploration and the outdoors. If we want to preserve and protect our resources, it starts with the next generation caring about them. 

BSJ: How did motherhood change your relationship with nature, and what lessons learned from fishing, the outdoors, and a life defined by both are you most focused on teaching your young son?

ORVIS: Motherhood completely changed my perspective on everything. It transformed the way I view fly fishing. While I’ll never say no to targeting big fish, I’ve found it to be less of a priority since becoming a mother. Now, it’s more about the journey on the river. Including my son in my adventures has forced me to slow down, appreciate my surroundings, and look at everything from his perspective. Most of our outings aren’t exactly productive fishing. Instead, we spend our time flipping over rocks and identifying bugs. We spot fish, and he excitedly casts the fly rod to the point of tangles. The less pressure I put on the actual fishing, the more he seems to light up about it, and the days when we do catch fish — whether he’s got the rod in hand or he’s in a kid carrier on my back — are beyond rewarding. I can only hope these little outings become core memories for him, that they shape the way he views the outdoors, and that as he gets older, nature provides him with the same solitude and comfort I’ve found.

BSJ: What advice would you give to someone looking to carve out their own path in the outdoor industry?

ORVIS: If I could give any advice to those pursuing a career in the outdoor industry, it would be to let your heart lead the way. Whatever it is that you’re feeling called to pursue, believe in it so wholeheartedly that nothing can deter you from success. And if you haven’t found it yet, search for the very thing that lights you up, and build your entire life around it. I’ve found that most outdoor industries are small, niche communities, and it takes time for folks who have been around for a long time to appreciate new ideas. Keep showing up, find people who believe in you, and be the change you wish to see.