Meet Rob Mahoney | Fly Fisherman & Guide | Photographer | Conservationist

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

Hi Rob, what are you inspired by?

I’m inspired by spending time outside in nature… I realized at a young age that spending valuable time outdoors would always serve a significant purpose in my life. Now, any time I’m in need of a dose of inspiration – I head outside and let nature straighten me out. My primary passion is fly fishing and I also work part time as a guide. Whether I’m fishing for myself or guiding a client – it doesn’t really matter. I feel inspired either way by just being out there and connecting with nature (and hopefully a few trout). The various landscapes of Colorado offer so many recreational opportunities – there is really nowhere else I’d rather be on a daily basis.

I remember it finally hitting me when I was about 25… I was still living back in my hometown in Indiana at the time and I had spent the majority of my life in that one spot. I felt this relentless, internal urge to finally just go and do the things I always wanted to experience (rather than sit around and watch some movie about someone else doing those same things). I wanted something new, something different, and something that was my own. I headed West…

That decision, that “jump” ended up being the best decision of my life and it also completely changed my outlook on everything moving forward. I ended up accepting a seasonal / summer job as a ranch hand at a historic guest ranch in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming. It was a very liberating feeling and it was also the cathartic experience I was searching for at the time. Since then, my travels have taken me all over the world and I have now lived in the Rocky Mountains for well over a decade. I guess the end goal was that I wanted to create a lifestyle for myself that I didn’t have to take a vacation from. For me, it was that initial inspiration from nature that led me to where I am today and I’m extremely grateful that I took that first “jump” way back then.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My career has been diverse and adventurous to say the least. I started my career nearly 20 years ago building custom homes and completing interior / exterior remodeling projects as a carpenter. Since then, I’ve earned a couple of degrees – a bachelors and a masters from DU. I’ve lived and worked up in Wyoming at two different prestigious guest ranch properties as a ranch hand, bartender, and lodge caretaker. I’ve spent time in Alaska managing a fly shop and working as a guide at a remote fishing lodge in Bristol Bay. I’ve lived the ski-town life and worked in the property management industry at a resort and also used to build custom log homes (both in Steamboat Springs). For the past 7 years or so – I’ve been working in the renewable energy sector and in construction project management / consulting. I also own and operate a side business as a part time fly fishing guide and I dabble in photography in my spare time.

Throughout it all… the path I chose in my career hasn’t been an easy one and it has definitely been an adventure so far. I’ve learned so much about myself along the way, but most importantly, I’ve learned that life is somewhat of a series of experiences (both good and bad). I am resilient, adaptable, driven, and I thrive on accomplishing goals that I set for myself. My personal chapters (both in life and career) have made me who I am today and I am extremely proud of that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Colorado really has so much to offer… I live in Golden but I would most likely take them to a few different spots located all over the state. Some fun things to do would be:

– Concert at Red Rocks
– Any hike in Rocky Mountain National Park – they are all incredible
– Fly Fishing on any of the following rivers: Arkansas, South Platte, Colorado, Eagle, Frying Pan, Blue, Yampa, Taylor, Gunnison
– Visit St. Elmo ghost town in Nathrop, CO
– Take a drive over Independence Pass
– Drink some Coors Banquets at the Golden Hotel on Clear Creek in downtown Golden
– Visit some hot springs anywhere in the state (there are so many) but Strawberry Park in Steamboat is probably the best
– Visit the Great Sand Dunes
– Rockies game at Coors Field
– Drive Trail Ridge Road in RMNP or to the summit of Mt. Evans

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?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my good friends Beth, Willa, and Jon… They have been with me through thick and thin over the years and I love each of them to the moon and back. I’d also like to give a shoutout to my girl Andie and my dog Violet – they accept me for who I am and they help push me to be the best version of myself day in and day out. Finally, I’d like to give a shoutout to my parents (Pam and Glenn) – thank you for raising me to be the man I am today. I love all of you. Cheers!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robbymahoney/

Image Credits
Image Credits: R.R. Mahoney