The Studio

On a small Minnesota stream, an eight-year-old boy made a slight cast up and into the current. From the bank, his father watched with patience… gently instructing as he thoughtfully documented the moment on his phone.

The small caddis fly pattern bobbed in the waves, eventually floating directly in front of them both and, as if on cue for the camera, a tiny brown, from somewhere deep in the run, rose for and ate it.

Neither father, nor son, could contain their excitement.

Scot Simmons reminded his son, Cooper, to keep the line tight. Cooper did everything just right. He landed the fish. And both father and son soon admire a trout this young man landed on a dry fly… all by himself.

“That moment on the creek filled my soul in a way that completely overwhelmed me,” said Scot Simmons, some weeks later, as he recollected that moment.

There is a video of all this, which has rightly been shared thousands of times across the Instagram platform. The outpouring of positivity, support and the direct messages that spawned only served to strengthen the elder Simmons’ bond with the greater fly-fishing community.

Scot Simmons has dealt with various forms of anxiety, PTSD and depression for most of his adult life. He admits he hasn’t always made the best choices in life. More recently, considering the tragic murder of George Floyd in his hometown of Minneapolis, Simmons has wondered if “that could have been me.”

He is committed to creating a better life for himself and others, and he strives to be a better role model for his own family. Fly fishing has helped him find this equilibrium.

Learn more and support the Twin Cities Chapter youth education program here:

[anvilhead]

Simply fantastic seeing that young man catching his first fish!

[benwelborn]

This is such a beautiful film! Scott -- thanks for opening up, being vulnerable, and inspiring me! Life can be hard, but it can also be beautiful - - it will be both, for all of us. In this short film I smiled, I cried, I felt inspired, I felt moved to be a better version of me. Sending you a big hug brother! Thanks also to TU -- for sharing this wisdom and for protecting our precious rivers!

[PaulAdamsTheHandmadeFisherman]

What a story, what a film, powerful stuff, thank you

[daver]

What a beautiful story & beautiful film! As a Minneapolis native who grew up fishing the city lakes and a passionate fly angler this really touched my heart. Thank you Scott for sharing your story and thank you Trout Unlimited!

[davidrahr-lm]

Thank you for this thoughtful 12 minutes.

[RobertMichaelAuthor]

Thank you for your contributions to community, family, and to yourself. I think many of us in the fly fishing community share the same feelings about how being on the water calms our souls and renews our spirit. More importantly, thank you for reminding us of our humanity and the sanctity of lives.

[CurtRees]

This clip continually brings me smiles and joy. Can't wait to see the whole film premier tonight.

[Flyest-Fisherman]

Love it! Keep being great and spreading positivity within the community! 🙏🏽🎣

[katrinamcphail]

Precious moments with your son. Go dad!

[JustinCarf]

Stoked Scot got to share his story and highlight how getting out on the water can help us all mentally. That clip of Cooper hooking up with a trout with a dry fly is timeless and never fails to bring a smile to my face. Every. Single. Time.

[BudgetfriendlyBae]

Beautiful! Saw the end of the clip on tv today… looked it up on YouTube 😊

[carlajaywinters]

I have PTSD/Depression, I wish I had a car to take my son fishing and other places* I feel trapped*

[jimbronson]

I think dad was more excited than the son...Gotta love that fly fishing thing....not so much for the george floyd nonsense.

[dianenorkus]

Looks what you're doing is incredible. Keep moving forward. Stand firm.

[NickAndCaroline]

Wonderful story! It hits all the soft spots and left me feeling inspired, thank you and Scot you’re the man!

[wpmccray]

This was awesome...great way to share the stoke.

[scottvandevusse]

I go trout fishing every chance I get, for the same exact reasons. The only thing I think about while I’m trout fishing is trout. It has taught me to appreciate the beauty in things that I hadn’t in the past. There’s no other fishing that can compare to trout fishing

[phallberg]

Scot Simmons deserves a lot of credit to volunteer his time to organize the program Foster the Outdoors with Trout Unlimited! This short film should be promoted to the public on social media and major networks.The world would be a better place if people would get outside, appreciate nature and go fly fishing!! Let’s hope this program spreads through out our country. We have a mental health crisis and this is one approach that could offer a solution to the on-going violence in the U.S.

[justinpetty]

Great job! Love hearing stories like this!

[davidveilleux]

Absolutely adorable. So awesome. Hooked for life now . Beautiful