Bull Trout and Glass Fish Art with Martin Gerdin (Ep. 232)

In this episode we WadeOutThere with Martin Gerdin, from Aspen Colorado.  Martin grew up fishing with a spinning rig and a passion for fish that bled over into an early introduction to the world of glass art. 

As Martin began to learn the craft of shaping glass, a fish was first on his list to create.  Martin credits his later discovery of fly fishing for helping him maintain sobriety and for bringing clarity to his art and life. 

Since he began fly fishing Martin has also become passionate about the native species of North America and has spent much of his free time learning their history and seeking them out with a fly rod. 

We discuss how to find and fish to bull trout, the habitat challenges bull trout face,  and the process of creating fish from glass.

Three Quotes

“In 19 years I’ve only been seriously burned twice.”

“When I fish for bull trout, I kind of move from pool to pool, and just observe.  Because typically you’ll see them before you catch them… they’re huge and they look like logs at the bottom…  They actually rest on the rocks, they don’t hold in the current they just lay down on the bottom.”

“I do fish a lot by myself, and I think its because I’m so obsessive.  Not many people want to put up with it… but the glass, there’s a parallel for that too, because all of the prep work is solo… and then all of the finishing work is solo, so I carve off that clear attachment, I make the stands, so that’s all solo, but the exciting part that everyone cares about is impossible to do by myself.”

Two Flies

Big white streamer (Ten Inches)

Squirmy wormy

(The only two flies Martin has seen a bull trout eat…)

One Idea

Is it better to be talented or skilled?

You can listen to the show on the podcast player below or anywhere that you enjoy podcasts. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I enjoyed talking with Martin.

VR,
Jason

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Learn More

Instagram: @martin_gerdin_glass
MartinGerdinGlass.com

Jason Shemchuk Art