Tanner Smith has joined the crew downstairs and taken on his new role as the Regional Store Manager for our Denver location. The team is excited to have Tanner downstairs doing what he does best - talking to anybody and everybody about fishing. You might know Tanner from his on-the-water exploits if you follow him on Instagram (@Sanjuanandeggs), as the dynamic host of our recurring series, Five Flies, or losing to Dave Lovell in a casting contest. If there's one thing that holds true, when Tanner has a day off, he's sending it somewhere in Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana. This on-the-water experience is invaluable and Tanner prides himself on sharing as much technique, fly selection, rigging, and location-specific information as he possibly can.

When Tanner joined the Trouts team more than a year ago, he took the customary "Welcome to the Team" interview on the blog. While he sprinkles some gems throughout, one question and answer sticks out.

Trouts: What is the best piece of fishing advice you've ever been given?

TS: The best advice I've ever been given is to "Just Fish." The sport really is the constant overcoming of failure, losing big fish, not knowing the water so many different things can go wrong I just try to keep things simple. Spend as much time as I can on the water, try new bugs, keep a few beers in the pack because it's inevitable I'm going to need a break from tangles and struggles at times. So for me "Just Fish" allows me to keep a positive mind frame while I'm on the water.

Next time you're in the shop, give Tanner some props on his new job or just tell him his beard is terrible. Either way, we look forward to seeing you in the shop to talk fishing as Fifth Season is only a few weeks away.