Here’s the Story…Kind of

I’m a native of San Diego, California, born and raised…kind of. I say ‘kind of’ because I spent every summer in Mora, New Mexico with my aunt Nina and uncle Steve Sanchez, at their home on the Cross 7 Ranch. It was those times spent in that small town valley where I learned the most about myself, friendship, family, and the simpler things in life. My dad taught me how to fish the Mora River and other cold-water streams, like Tres Ritos, that stem off of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Northern New Mexico, will always be home to me.

After high school, I gave up a journalism scholarship from SDSU and moved to Mora, New Mexico with my son, and my parents, who unfortunately parted ways. I became an instant cowgirl helping my dad on the ranch working the cows, running cattle drives, and irrigating the acequias. But I wanted more for myself and my son.

I attended NMHU receiving my bachelor’s, and later, an MBA. You know how life can take you in so many twists and turns? Mine sure did. After working in media and marketing, I changed to an educational career earning my MA in Special Education, MAT in Instructional Leadership, and became a nationally board certified teacher.

It was an honor to be asked by editor, Pete Tyjas, to have my fly fishing stories and photos published in the UK based quarterly fly fishing journal, Fly Culture Magazine. I was also fortunate to have learned so much about the world of fly fishing while working part-time at Los Pinos Fly Shop in Albuquerque. Owners; Cindy, Mark, and TJ are just good people.

I tend to gravitate towards working with youth at risk and became a mentor with The Mayfly Project of Santa Fe/ Albuquerque, a national program that mentors foster children through fly fishing. During the pandemic, I was invited to speak for New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Women’s Social Hour. I also helped coordinate a casting clinic for New Mexico Trout / Women on the Water.  And because I just don’t have enough to do in my life, {totally being facetious}…I’m also a board member for Bosque Chapter Trout Unlimited and a volunteer for Trout in the Classroom. I’m the type of person that always has to be doing something.

A few years back, just before my dad passed away, we were driving back from Mora headed south on I-25. As we got near Algodones, there was this billboard with my photo holding a 26” rainbow trout I caught from the San Juan River. We pulled over and he got out of the car and said, “Look at my daughter up there! How much money did you get for that?" I said, “Nothing…I didn’t even get a free fishing license for the year!” Still waiting…

The NMDGF featured these billboards across the state promoting fishing in New Mexico though, which is kind of badass. I’ve been told there’s still a faded billboard left on Interstate 40 near mile marker 327.

I have a passion for learning, taking photographs of everything, and, of course, fly fishing. I love hanging out with my family, going on road trips, being in the mountains, on the water somewhere, anywhere, even late into the evening after everyone else has gone home.  

Enjoy the story of yourself, the photos you take, and the journey life takes you on.

Life can be beautiful if you let it. - TEV