A decade ago, Diné fly-fishing guide Erica Nelson got hooked on one of the West’s most picturesque pastimes. Now she’s angling to bring a broader sense of belonging to the sport.
Erica Nelson knows that she’s not like a lot of the other fly-fishing guides out there. The self-taught, Orvis-endorsed Diné outdoorswoman and advocate fully embraces her idiosyncrasies — so much so that she has dubbed herself the Awkward Angler. That individuality also attracts her clients, many of them women, people of color, and other fly-fishing outliers who haven’t always felt welcome in the male-dominated sport.
“When I was first learning to fly-fish, I didn’t see very many women on the water, let alone Indigenous women,” says Nelson, who is originally from Kirtland, New Mexico, and now lives in Crested Butte, Colorado. “I feel like if we’re not seeing ourselves out there doing it, then we’re probably not going to do it. So I definitely felt a pull to be that representation.”
As far as she knows, Nelson is one of only two female Native American fly-fishing guides in Colorado. Her love of adventure — including rock climbing, whitewater rafting, backpacking, and skiing — has taken her across much of the West. It was during her time in Lander, Wyoming, while working for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in 2016 that she picked up fly-fishing. She quickly caught on to the sport, which she once thought was unattainable and exclusive.
“Fly-fishing never really interested me, because I had this vision that you had to be wearing tweed and waders,” recalls Nelson, who is guiding excursions in the Gunnison Gorge area this summer. “I didn’t realize it was accessible until I saw my coworkers head down to the creek, kick off their flip-flops, roll up their jeans, and just start casting a line.” Friends and mentors helped her overcome those preconceived notions — and having access to gear through NOLS didn’t hurt, either. She soon realized she was uniquely positioned to do the same for others who might be intrigued but intimidated.
In 2016, Nelson became an ambassador for Brown Folks Fishing, a community-based nonprofit uplifting BIPOC anglers. By 2019, she was living in Crested Butte and guiding both fly-fishing and whitewater rafting excursions. By 2020, she cofounded the Angling for All Pledge, an Orvis-backed training initiative aimed at addressing inequality in the fishing industry, and launched her Awkward Angler podcast to facilitate conversations about fishing and social justice. In other words, Nelson went all in on fishing.
Clients gravitate toward her authentic, easygoing approach — like her ability to laugh off those inevitable awkward moments of tangling your fly in a tree, falling into the river, or losing a fish. They also appreciate the Indigenous worldview she brings to the experience. “In Navajo, there’s a saying of hózhó, meaning living in balance and harmony with all living things,” says Nelson. “I’m always thinking about my actions and how I’m part of this system of clean air, clean water, healthy animals, and a healthy environment. This isn’t just about the fish; it’s about understanding that water is life.”
Favorite Fly-Fishing Finds
From her early days picking up the sport in Wyoming a decade ago to guiding numerous fly-fishing trips across the American West, Erica Nelson has been reeling in several top spots to cast a line. Here are three of the Awkward Angler’s faves.
Gunnison Gorge, Colorado
“This is my first season down in the Gunnison Gorge. Not only does it feel like a personal level up in my growth as an angler and a boater, but I find it such a privilege to work in this beautiful area. The Gunnison Gorge offers world-class gold medal trout fishing as well as challenging whitewater located off the western boundary of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You feel so small in this deep, narrow, dramatic canyon surrounded by layers of geologic history.”
Thermopolis, Wyoming
“A quieter part of the Bighorn River is hidden in north-central Wyoming, where the fly-fishing has consistent flows, healthy rainbow and brown trout, and dramatic red-rock views. Winter is one of my favorite times here, which might seem a little wild to some folks, because it’s cold, snowy, and often windy — but there’s a wide, mellow stretch of river to float-fish, plus at the end of the day, you get to jump into some hot springs.”
San Juan River, New Mexico
“I’m from the high desert of northwest New Mexico, which is beloved for its bluffs, brightly colored sunsets, and scents of sage. Not only is this going home for me, but there’s always great New Mexican food to enjoy afterwards, no matter how the fishing goes. I recommend getting a guide and floating that stretch of river rather than just sitting around Texas Hole, which can get crowded. There’s a lot of great fishing in that area to explore.”
For more information about guided fly-fishing trips with Erica Nelson, visit awkwardangler.com.
From our August/September 2026 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: (All images) courtesy John Holdmeier.
