October Featured Fly Girl
Rebeca Granillo
It was a no brainer to celebrate and introduce you to our friend Rebeca Granillo as the October United Women on the Fly Monthly Fly Girl. Founder of Wasatch Women’s Fly Fishing Club, Rebeca has dedicated many years of her life to women in fly fishing, she is a new mother, beautiful wife, instructor, guide, volunteer for The Mayfly Project , women leader, friend and most important amazing human. Follow Rebeca on Instagram @chewwwbecca.
As I’ve grown throughout my fishing journey I have gotten to a point where I just want to share and help others fulfill their goal of learning how to fly fish.
Hi, I’m Rebeca! I am 30 years old and I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’ve lived in Escondido, California throughout my childhood. My father is from El Salvador and my mother is from Guatemala. A favorite activity during my childhood was hiking. Almost every weekend from a young age to my early 20s we were hiking every weekend.
We lived on very little income so for us it was a really inexpensive activity, especially with our favorite canyon just a few minutes away. We were so lucky to have the Wasatch Front as our hiking playground. All we did was hike hike hike. Nothing else. No fishing, no camping, just walking around in the woods. It’s nonsense I know but we were the happiest!
My first time fly fishing I was more entertained by the fact that I was in the river yet dry. It blew my inexperienced mind.
In 2011, the owner of Fishwest Dustin Carlson, took a chance on me and brought me on board.
My first time fly fishing I was more entertained by the fact that I was in the river yet dry. It blew my inexperienced mind. I was no longer interested in the fish, just the new sensation on my shins from the rushing water. My buddy Jason who worked in the fly shop can attest since he was the kind soul to show me the ropes on this first special day of fly fishing.
As the months went by I combined fly fishing with the dozens of trails that we used to hike as kids. Back then I would have never imagined myself fishing these waters. At one time they were just a place I’d stop to refill my water bottle at, listen to the echoing sounds or to rinse my face in to cool off. Turns out they were full of gold this whole time!
My sister Diana and I would go on tons of little fishing adventures, they usually ended with no fish in the net but tons of laughs. Memories were always made! Fishing with her was always so fun so an idea came upon to expand the circle. That’s when I founded The Wasatch Women’s Fly Fishing Club.
Before relocating to Heber, Utah for Fishwest, Dustin was kind enough to let me teach Orvis 101 Fly Fishing Classes in his shop to members of the club. Dustin also let me host tying classes and meet ups! His support towards the club was above and beyond.
The first river outings were usually attended by just me since no-shows were typical in the beginning. Organically the participation increased. At one event I expected maybe 3-4 women and was shocked when 14 attended. I just kept tearing up that day. It felt so good to make so many new friends that day!
I expected maybe 3-4 girls to actually show up but was shocked when 14 attended. I just kept tearing up that day. It felt so good to make so many new friends that day!
Over the course of seven years, our club was where I met half of my bridesmaids. Where I met some of the most influential women I have ever met. I am reminded that we can all learn something new from someone else, no matter their length on fishing.
Fly Fishing has become my family. We have laughed, cried, road tripped up to Simms for Chica De Mayo, fished local and not so local waters while getting skunked on half of them. Its honestly just for fun and I truly believe that’s why it’s become a wonderful group of women to fish and navigate through life with.
We can all learn something new from someone else, no matter their length on fishing.
As I’ve grown throughout my fishing journey I have gotten to a point where I just want to share and help others fulfill their goal of learning how to fly fish. Guiding has helped me make that possible for millionaires like the CEOs of Twitter all the way down to the average person who budgets and saves up for months just to get a guide.
Recently I’ve been fulfilled by volunteering my time with The Mayfly Project, a non-profit where we take children who are in the Foster Care system and help introduce them to the therapeutic and healing benefits of fly fishing. T
eaching such a broad spectrum of people has taught me that no matter where you are in life, there is much to benefit from in fly fishing.
From the very beginning, this industry has been the easiest gateway to meeting some of the most amazing individuals that I have ever shaken hands with. No matter the profession or lifestyle differences, creating new experiences on the water is all that matters to most of those same people and that’s a commonality that bonds us for life.
No matter the profession or lifestyle differences, creating new experiences on the water is all that matters to most of those same people and that’s a commonality that bonds us for life.
I met my husband Evan, through this fly fishing industry, when we both worked at Fishwest. We now have a daughter who is 4 months old, Sharing with her what we have so far has been such an incredible experience.
Thanks for taking the time to read a glimpse of my bio, I feel so honored to have been chosen to be featured on United Women on the Fly. If you are ever traveling through Utah and need a fishing buddy, please reach out! Always looking forward to making new friendships!
