Trying to Explain the Unexplainable
By Karly Mathern
Waking up in a little room sitting over the ocean with the salty breeze blowing through the house, and watching the sun slowly start to glow where the ocean meets the horizon, felt like a dream I wanted to relive for the rest of my life. Growing up in a small town in Colorado, the ocean has always been so fascinating to me since it's something I am so unfamiliar with. While watching the sunrise over the ocean, all you see is what's happening in the sky from birds soaring, clouds coasting, and sometimes rain falling. What we don't see is the whole world living beneath the surface of the ocean tides as we go about our day. My week in Guanaja allowed me to see so much more than just an island I've never heard of. I got to be a part of a culture that is filled with so much passion, love, and energy for all of those around them. There is something very special about having so many pictures and memories from a trip and still not being able to explain the amazing effect it had on my life. Not only did I get to land my first saltwater fish on a fly rod, but I had the best crowd cheering me on. We spent the week having dance parties on the boat, laughing so hard we cried and even helped each other become better anglers. Fish for Change is so much more than an organization that introduces students to fly fishing. Fish for Change introduced me to new lifelong friends that I am so grateful for, as well as expanding my passion for fly fishing beyond what I ever could have imagined. No matter how many pictures I took of my favorite moments throughout the trip, I will never be able to fully explain what one week in Guanaja, Honduras meant to me.
Karly Mathern, 21 years old, Windsor, Colorado
Karly grew up in northern Colorado spending all my free time hunting and fishing which grew my passion into a job as an outdoor photographer. She went on the 2022 girls trip to Guanaja as my first trip to go saltwater fly fishing. Not only did Guanaja grow my love for fly fishing and photography even more but it introduced me to strangers who became family in a matter of days.
Karly Mathern, 21 years old, Windsor, Colorado
Karly grew up in northern Colorado spending all my free time hunting and fishing which grew my passion into a job as an outdoor photographer. She went on the 2022 girls trip to Guanaja as my first trip to go saltwater fly fishing. Not only did Guanaja grow my love for fly fishing and photography even more but it introduced me to strangers who became family in a matter of days.
