Community Member Spotlight
Chuck & Annette Smith
Being in the middle of the Arizona Fly Fishing community is a real treat, one of the things it allows me to do is to meet and fish with a lot of different fantastic community members. We just returned from a fantastic, shop hosted trip, To Patagonia, Argentina. All of the couples on the trip were absolutely fantastic, and very enjoyable to spend time with. One of the highlights on the trip, was being in the presence of Chuck and Annette Smith. They took their Fly Fishing to a whole new level. Each day their enthusiasm and excitement grew, and the enthusiasm was very contagious. I love seeing people get ‘lit up’ about fly fishing. Chuck and Annette Smith are a gift to the world, and the Arizona Fly Fishing Community is lucky to have them as our February Community Member Spotlight.
About Chuck and Annette
Few things bring couples together quite like a shared adventure, and for Chuck and Annette, fly fishing has been a way to connect with nature, explore new places, and create unforgettable memories—sometimes with a little chaos thrown in!
One of their most memorable fly fishing experiences took place on a desert lake in Eastern Washington. Chuck was casting for trout from his kayak while Annette enjoyed the scenery, paddling around the lake. Everything was peaceful until the wind picked up, and Chuck found himself tangled up—literally. In the midst of dealing with some line trouble, he made an unfortunate move and suddenly had a size 12 egg-sucking leech fly embedded deep into the fleshy part of his left-hand middle finger. To make matters worse, he had forgotten to crimp the barb.
Unable to remove it himself, Chuck called out for Annette, who paddled over just as the wind started to whip the water into whitecaps. Trying to navigate back to shore while holding his injured finger up, he became wrapped in fly line, paddle, and, as Annette recalls, general mayhem. Then, the situation took a serious turn—Chuck started feeling woozy and soon passed out.
Annette, now in full rescue mode, worked to keep Chuck from falling out of his kayak as they were pushed into the reeds by the gusty winds. She splashed water on his face, hoping to bring him back. After a brief visit to “la la land,” Chuck woke up soaking wet to his wife yelling and, as he puts it, “slapping the crap out of me.”
Lesson learned? “Remember to crimp your barbs and always wear your personal flotation device,” Annette advises.
For Chuck, fly fishing is about the deep satisfaction of being in nature, reading the water, and making the perfect cast. “Spotting a likely holding area, casting without snagging, and actually hitting the target feels good. When a fish rises to the fly, it’s a thrill. I tell people I am in my happy place when I am standing ankle-deep in some water and waving a stick!” he says.
Annette agrees, noting that fly fishing has taken them to beautiful destinations and created lasting experiences. “It’s a great excuse to travel and experience new places. I love it when I get a strike and know that I fooled the fish.”
Chuck considers himself lucky to have a partner who enjoys fly fishing with him. While he doesn’t mind fishing solo, having Annette join him on the water makes it even more special. “Guided trips are a great way to have an adventure together, and the risk of getting annoyed with each other is way less since the guide is the one telling us what to do,” he jokes.
As longtime members of the AZ Fly Shop community, Chuck and Annette appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and high-quality gear—especially the options for women. They’ve particularly enjoyed the shop’s travel opportunities, where they’ve not only fished in breathtaking locations but also made lifelong friends. “We look forward to more trips in the future,” they share.
Their advice to fellow anglers? “Fly fishing is a great activity to share as a couple,” says Annette. And Chuck? “Just remember to crimp those barbs.”
Thank you, Chuck and Annette, for being valued members of the AZ Fly Shop community! We’re grateful for your adventurous spirit, humor, and love for the sport. Tight lines and happy fishing!
