Meet Andy Witt | Conservationist, Co-founder of Due West Anglers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andy Witt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy, what do you attribute your success to?
I think Due West Anglers (DWA) was always about pushing boundaries. We started writing articles that were focused in challenging the status quo of what others were willing to talk about in fly-fishing. Every magazine, blog post, or podcast seemed to be recycling a lot of the same ideas over and over again. We started DWA to offer a voice out there that was willing to do more. With a background in ecology and fisheries, we started writing pieces that delved deeper into scientific research, translating findings, and connecting dots in a way that produced more approachable material. The goal was to offer anglers never before seen insights to help them catch more fish, and appreciate ecology without ever feeling like they opened up a textbook.

As time has gone on, we’ve even conducted our own research to look at questions that cross-over between the two worlds, such as assessing the role anglers play in spreading invasive New Zealand Mudsnails, and calculating spring ice off for high alpine lakes. For the most part, we don’t echo the traditional article styles of most fly-fishing media outlets. Though we at DWA have academic backgrounds, we haven’t found much in the way of other angling-driven research groups writing what we write either.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a scientist and conservationist currently working for the State of Colorado, alongside my duties running Due West Anglers. I have a masters in Ecology, primarily focusing in Fisheries and Watershed Science. I’m continually excited about water and fish and understanding their world which serves me well in both roles. Earning my masters helped reinforce confidence in myself that I had the skills to tackle any project that presented itself, and became the conduit for lots of Due West Anglers material. Along the way I’ve realized that finding my own answers is always more rewarding than having them given to me, but you just don’t realize that until you’re at the finish line.

As far as what I’d want the world to know about me and Due West Anglers, I’d want people to know that fly fishing is an incredible gateway to understanding the natural world around us. There are lots of important details that don’t pertain to daily life but become important if you’re committed to catching fish. Our writing explores that space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d go fishing obviously! Hike up to an alpine lake for some cutthroat trout, and road trip to a famous CO tailwater for big rainbows. If the timing was right we’d even launch a boat on one of the South Park reservoirs. In between we’d want some local beer from TRVE and Asher, get a deep dish pizza and an Old Fashioned at Patxis, plus see the Avalanche play hockey. Maybe even a guitar jam session in my basement.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Due West Anglers wouldn’t have gone far without Aubin Douglas. She helped get it off the ground as well. She edits our articles and helps distill my mad-science into the always polished final draft.

Website: duewestanglers.com

Instagram: @duewestanglers & @duewestanglers_blog

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-witt

Twitter: @AndyWitt4

Other: Medium: https://medium.com/@duewestanglers Music: https://andywitt.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
All credits Andy Witt.