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In this episode I sit down with Darren Calhoun. Darren was born and raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation. His family is represented by both tribes as his mother was a part of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and his Father a part of the Eastern Shoshone. Darren is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Darren started Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing with his father Melvin “Pete” Calhoun in 1992 and is currently operating his 30th season on the Wind River, one of the finest trout fishing rivers in the world. Darren received a PHD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Montana in 2005. It was around that time that I first met Darren and experienced the Wind River on the reservation. I distinctly remember being shocked that Darren’s company would only put one trip on a section river a day and had done so since inception. Looking back on the forward thinking, stewardship and conservation of the resource, it is truly remarkable. The Wind River reservation and its inhabitants continue to battle for the resource today, as the history of the water rights, lack of change and balance create a very messy picture. This story was highlighted in a film by Patagonia, in conjunction with Teton Gravity Research and Indifly. In the film Darren reflects on the constant attack throughout the years on the water that is crucial to their way of life, culture and history. The film lays out another forward thought, one in which there is hope that an outdoor based, sustainable recreational economy could flourish. Darren is additionally the author of the book titled Fly Fishing the Wind River Canyon. Darren is the husband of and listens to very closely and always agrees with his wife Kristin Kirlin, and is the exceptionally proud dad of Riley and Jaylen Calhoun. Without further adieu, please welcome Darren Calhoun to the show!
