Brook Trout, Turkey Hunting, and The Next Generation: Meet FarWide Ambassador Cole Eiswerth
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We are excited for you to meet Cole Eiswerth, our hunting & fishing ambassador in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We’ll let Cole introduce himself from here!
First off, where are you from, what do you do, and how did you get into it?
I am from Central Pennsylvania, Jersey Shore to be exact. I am currently a college student at West Virginia University majoring in Environmental Soil and Water Conservation. I got into that because I want to help and educate the people so they can help the world, especially the environment, so future generations can have the opportunity to experience all the outdoor activities that are available.
Tell us your life story as seen through fishing and hunting (skip all that boring stuff that doesn’t involve being outside)
I have been fishing for as long as I can remember. It all began at my great-grandfathers pond, watching a bobber dunk under and then reeling in bluegill with my father and brother. I began fly fishing around the age of 14. My friend and I self-taught ourselves and learned on the water together from our mistakes. Ever since, fly fishing has become a strong passion of mine. I have had the experience to chase everything from tiny native brook trout from small blue lines in PA to northern pike in Canada.
I began hunting at a young age as well. That started from following my dad around squirreling hunting with a BB gun to having the opportunity to harvest countless small game animals, numerous deer, several turkeys, a couple of predators, and even a Pennsylvania black bear. My dad played the largest role in getting me interested hunting. Now I participate in just about every season PA has to offer. I small game hunt, archery, rifle, and muzzleloader hunt for deer, and turkey, bear, and predator hunt.
Why do you like what you do in particular?
I love to fly fish for native brook trout and wild brown trout. I enjoy that because of all the cool places that it takes me and all things I have experienced while on the water. It also allows me to just get away. I like all types of hunting, especially when hunting with a friend or family member. I get just as excited when they’re successful as when I am. It is just special to have people to share some of those memories with.
Are there any outdoor sports or activities that you’ve been wanting to get in to? Places you’ve been wanting to go?
I wish I could go camping/ backpacking more. I have only done it a couple times. I really want to spend some time in the Adirondacks, the smokies, and out west such as Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
You’ve got one day of hunting or fishing anywhere in the world. Where do you go and what do you do?
I would choose an archery hunt for Moose up in the Yukon.
Why is it important that more people get interested in the outdoors?
I believe it is important for more people to get interested in the outdoors. The more people participate in outdoor activities means the higher economic value the environment becomes which will mean more funding. This will help protect and promote the natural resources we have so that future generations can have the same expectations that we do!
Tell us about your most epic day of hunting or fishing?
The most epic day of fishing I had was last year. It was on a new blue line in PA that I had never checked out before. I was shocked at the numbers and size of the brook trout that I caught that morning. I caught over 30 fish including my personal best native brook trout at the time. Each fish had amazing colors and it’s own unique pattern. That was one of my best days fishing.
What are the most important things we can do now to make sure future generations have opportunities to do this stuff? To make sure they actually want to do this stuff?
We need to educate the future generations on all the potential opportunities they can participate in as well as promote and conserve the natural resources that we use for the activities so they are here for years to come! We also need to give them the chance to try as many outdoor activities as possible in the hopes they become interested and care as much about it as we do.
How can FarWide help get more people outdoors, and what would you like to see more of?
FarWide is a great idea by having all potential outdoor activities and their regulations on a map at your fingertips. I think it will be a great resource to have and use. If it would be possible it would be cool to have all the pull offs for cars marked. Also, if the waterways had a list of the fish that inhabit them as well as the animals that live on the public tracts of land.
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