Welcome to Trout Unlimited's Podcast, where we talk about everything related to fishing, rivers, and conservation,

and TU's mission to conserve, protect, and restore North America's trout and salmon fisheries and the

watersheds that they depend on. I'm Chris Wood the president and CEO of

Trout Unlimited and today it is my extraordinary pleasure to talk to one of my favorite people within the organization, Sharon Lance.

Sharon has held numerous positions within the state council as a chapter president.

She's on the National Trout Unlimited Board.

And perhaps most significantly,

this year at our annual meeting,

we recognize Sharon for her really lifetime commitment to

conservation and to the work of Trout Unlimited by bestowing on her TU's

highest award given to a volunteer it's called the Mortenson Award, named after a

another extraordinary man named Ray Mortenson who passed away some years ago and in his honor Trout Unlimited named this award which

Sharon received and Sharon welcome to the podcast. Well thank you Chris

Sharon you've been as I mentioned you've served in many different leadership capacities within TU, including at the

chapter level and the council level and now at the national level in terms of serving on our board.

How did you first break into the organization?

How did you learn about TU?

Well I actually learned about TU through my husband Mark and Mark basically got me into fly fishing and as soon

as he knew that I was hooked on the sport he took me to a Trout Unlimited meeting. Of course I was the only woman there and I realized that they needed my help, almost immediately, you know, and by my help, almost immediately.

You know, and by my help, I mean, you know, basically my business skills.

I've been involved ever since.

So, you know, I know that you have just returned from a trip to Mexico and did you do any fishing down there?

...