Erin Mathis

A local woman combining a passion for fishing and kayaking

Tell us about yourself: Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to Utah in 2007. I currently live in the Salt Lake area. I have been an aerospace engineer for nine years, and I am also the co-owner of Kayak Fishing Utah. We run a bass fishing tournament series all over Utah. From February through October, you can find me traveling the country to fish at national events, camping at lakes for our local tournaments, or hosting kayak fishing seminars with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

If you see me on the water, you will also meet my 80-pound boxer, Kaya, who loves to ride on the back of my Hobie while I fish! I am currently sponsored by Idaho River Sports and Millennium Custom Rods.

Why do you fish, and how did you get into it?

I fished a little bit when I was a kid and always loved it, but I didn't really get into fishing until 2016 when some neighbors took me out on their bass boat. After that, I purchased a $200 Lifetime Kayak and started fishing on my own. I had recently gone through some trauma, and I found that being on the water and enjoying the outdoors was the most healing kind of therapy for me.

I soon realized that I wanted a more versatile kayak and upgraded to a pedal-drive Hobie and began to compete in fishing tournaments. I was awarded Angler of the Year my first season and quickly realized that fishing would be my new obsession. Joe Randall (Shoot Fish Life) and I took over the Kayak Fishing Utah organization in 2019 and have grown the club exponentially.

As part of the club expansion, we also started a junior league so kids, ages 3–15, can compete in fishing tournaments for free. It helps the kids make new friends, learn new skills, and they always take home a prize or trophy. Our club is known across the country for being one giant family.

Being a tournament director doesn't always allow me to be as competitive as I used to be, but now it's all about making sure everyone is having a great time fishing.

What is your favorite part of fishing?

At this point, I like to consider myself a seasoned bass angler. I absolutely love how smart these fish are. I love having to analyze the weather, moon phases, depth, water temperature, and best time of year to find fish. It's like a math equation for me — sometimes one that seems unsolvable!

I also love the thrill of the fight, just as much as I love releasing them back into the water. It's awesome to watch these fish swim off to produce offspring for our kids to also enjoy catching for years to come. My favorite part about being on the water is the bonding time I get with my recently adopted dog, Kaya, and my loved ones.

What are some tips you would offer someone who is interested in learning to fish?

YouTube is always a great resource for getting into fishing and is a good place to start. There are plenty of Utah anglers that will post tips and tricks on finding fish at local lakes. I have learned a lot over the years from local Facebook groups and other anglers that just want to get outside.

Don't ever get intimidated by all the gear — you don't need expensive equipment to be successful in catching fish! You will learn something new with every fishing trip you take. Time on the water is the only way you will truly learn and master new techniques and become an amazing angler.

Want to get started fishing? Visit our fishing for beginners page.