Meet Katie Fiedler Anderson | Fly Fishing Guide and Owner of Anderson’s Fish Camp

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Fiedler Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was working a “stable” and well-paying job as a restaurant manager. I worked at night, so I continued guiding while I was doing this. After having a baby, I knew one or the other had to go. I didn’t have time. I thought about myself in 5 years and if I stayed in the restaurant I would have always wondered “what if” I bet on myself. Since much of what I did was running the show and devoting my time to someone else’s risk at the restaurant, I didn’t think i would be able to let it go if I didn’t give myself a chance. I didn’t think I would be able to confidently talk to my daughter in the future without taking the risk.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have a ton of years of experience as a fishing guide. Before that I was a raft guide. Before that I led rock climbing and high ropes courses. As a female leader in the outdoors, I have surely had my abilities questioned more than a few times. I have had to work harder to prove myself and really analyze myself when some people would laugh in my face or question me. I have learned to work through intimidation of constantly having to prove myself, and see it for what it is. I transfer that feeling of intimidation that I am familiar with to what a client may be feeling. They may be asking ,” Is this something I can be good at?” And I will whole-heartedly say ,”Yes! Let me show you how!” The motto I coined for Anderson’s Fish Camp ( Fun. Professional. Simple. ) speaks to me recognizing that making things approachable is what sets apart ok teachers and great teachers. Anyone can come along on my adventures! I’m not running this business from a place of ego, I genuinely like to share what I do, and from listening to feedback from 100’s of clients, this is the thing that comes up over and over again.
One thing that has really worked for me as well, is to stick to what I am good at. I fought the idea of opening up a fly shop, but the numbers never made sense. So we started a mobile guide service. We go straight to the client. There isn’t a lot of that in my area, so mentally it was a big hoop for me to jump through, the thought of not having a shop felt wrong, because it wasn’t traditional. Now, it’s the best thing that could have happened. I am good at guiding, and I am really in my lane so to speak.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
O.K. Vail people!

I have two fishy girlfriends coming in a couple of days. We are definitely going fly fishing on the Eagle River. I will probably take them creek fishing as well on Two Elk Creek because it’s a cool hike. We might do some outdoor yoga on the Eagle-Vail golf course now that it is closed for the season, just because outdoor yoga is fun and I know they will do it no matter the weather! Vail opens Nov. 12th , so we will go skiing and aprés in the village. I love that you can walk around the village with cocktails now- a sign of the times, but it’s about time! I want to take them to trampoline night at the field house in Edwards or at Vail Gymnastics Center, because we all have a kid in there somewhere! I have been playing tennis or pickle ball because the weather has been nice- we will see what it looks like in a few days. You have to be able to pivot with weather or just deal with what mother nature throws at you. We will hike in Edwards and snowshoe around Sylvan Lake. This valley is wild- and if you walk out the door , it’s going to be fun.

We are definitely going to eat at Rocky Mountain Taco in Minturn, the Craftsman in Edwards, and Thai Kitchen in Minturn, and The Rose in Edwards. These are no frills, good food kind of places that I find myself at often.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my clients that have become my lifelong friends. Their support has been unwavering and motivating to say the least! I am grateful for the people that have just believed in my brand from day one. That kind of loyalty and backing isn’t overlooked in my book!

Website: andersonsfishcamp.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie.fiedler.anderson/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-fiedler-anderson-7bb0097a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.fiedler.566

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/andersons-fish-camp-vail

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClijyIQlwXO1LC4mY1qn-WA

Image Credits
Photos From: The Braker Brothers