In this episode, I speak to Todd Spire about his journey on becoming a fly fishing guide and steward of the land. As usual, we cover a number of topics. Whether or not you feel motivated or moved by fly fishing I think anyone can learn a lot from Todd and his approach for becoming connected to place. Todd weaves a sense of spirituality, ceremony, and deep reverence into his work as a guide. I believe this makes his work unique. In many ways he is an intermediary helping those who long for a deeper connection to nature, and the river, but he also has his feet firmly planted in the world of the spiritual and esoteric, but also in the practical. As a conservationist Todd is throughly invested into his community, the waters, and navigating the often precarious balance of what it means to be committed to place. We additionally discuss Todd's own fly- the New American, parenting - and how we can inspire our children to be closer to nature, how to have a real " relationship" with nature, finding our innate need for ceremony in nature, and one of my favorite parts of our conversation- the time it takes to be with a place. 

I hope you enjoy this episode, as much as I enjoyed speaking with Todd. 

You can find Todd here:

https://www.esopuscreel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/esopuscreel/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/toddspire/?hl=en

Learning the rhythms of the river / finding his soul mate in the river and  

 what it is to build an actual relationship with nature ( 23:44)

Living with/within an ecosystem and  situatedness / intimacy with the land  (27:08)

Committing to a Place/ First fly shop in over 20 years (30:01)/ Community development Community development through the passion of fly fishing 

Anglers as conservationist (33:20) how anglers often become and his own experience

Water issues an exhaustible resource / helping bridge the connection between people and place/ for people and falling in love with the river, fishing becomes the excuse. 

Water as an exhaustible resource, an American issue (37:28)  

Water shed issues and conservation goals 

How to navigate sharing our love for nature with our children (43:20) Advice to other parents 46:16

How we create abetter connection to the land (53:36)

The necessity for a return to ceremony (49:55), and community. 

Returning to the world a better person/

How to get into fly fishing /Deepen your relationship with the land (1:05:30)  

Finding free classes 

Take the time it takes (1:09)

Spirituality and Nature (1:13)

Where you can find Todd, and how to work with him (1:19:12) 

https://www.esopuscreel.com/

https://www.instagram.com/esopuscreel/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/toddspire/?hl=en