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10. Prioritizing Experience and Place Over Equipment and Possessions with Daniel Ritz

Writer's picture: Meg CarneyMeg Carney


How can we shift our mindset to focus more on the outdoor experience and less on the equipment it takes to get us there?


In episode 10, we explore what it means to have a sense of place and to truly experience your time outside. To help me explore these ideas and how to apply this mindset shift, I had the pleasure of talking with Daniel Ritz. 


Daniel A. Ritz, is an outdoor journalist and writer based in Boise, Idaho. Ritz's work has been published by Trout Unlimited, Orvis, Western Native Trout Initiative, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Outdoor Idaho Magazine, Alaska Sporting Journal, Fish Alaska Magazine and Visit Idaho: Idaho Department of Tourism.


His editorial focus is contemporary issues regarding conservation, the environment, outdoor recreation, and legislation.


Most recently, Ritz created a 40-part series sharing the experience of his Western Native Trout Challenge that was published by Trout Unlimited, Orvis and Western Native Trout Initiative, and Montana Fly Company. In it, he wrote personal experience-based essays and natural history and science-based "Species Profiles" for each of the 20 available native trout and char species of the Western 12 states of the United States.


Currently, Ritz volunteers as the communications coordinator for the Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Idaho Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.


Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ritz graduated in 2009 from Salisbury University on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with Bachelor's Degrees in Journalism and Philosophy. He resides in Boise with his partner Holly, their Wirehaired Pointing Griffon named Trout, and an oversized cat named Julio.


Daniel Ritz

Western Native Trout Challenge: https://westernnativetroutchallenge.org/



 

This transcript was edited to remove some filler words and phrases and is not verbatim according to what is spoken in the audio recording.





MEG: Thank you, Daniel, for joining me today on episode 10 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast.


Before we jump into the topic of prioritizing experiences over equipment and possessions, can you give a brief overview of your experience in the outdoor industry and what got you to where you are today?


DANIEL: Sure! I appreciate you having me on. This is pretty exciting. It's something I've been looking to incorporate into my own practices and outdoor experiences, and the opportunity to talk about it offers a unique angle.


My experience in the outdoor industry starts from a past chapter of my life when I was a surfer. I worked for a brand in the surf industry for a long time. I started a shop and was a "shop rat," selling used surfboards. Later, I managed a shop that I was probably too young to manage, but I gained valuable business experience that way. Operating a multi-million dollar surf shop in Ocean City, Maryland, taught me a lot.


I went to school at Salisbury University and traveled around, eventually working for a brand where I opened shops. The shop experience was really my focus in the outdoor industry. I embraced that niche, small-shop mentality, which emphasizes sociability and prioritizes customer experience. There's so much more to it than just retail.


I also worked as a writer, primarily focusing on outdoor and conservation topics. Later in life, I pivoted to becoming a full-time freelance writer and journalist, still focusing largely on the outdoors and conservation. Personally, I enjoy fly fishing, which has become the focus of my recent work based in Boise, Idaho. I spend a lot of time exploring the Mountain West—regions like Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.


Boise is a really cool place. It's not necessarily a central location, but for me, it feels central for mountain sports. I love that area of the country. Boise is a fantastic place to live and serves as a great base for my activities. I'm lucky enough to move around quite a bit, and Boise is a very dynamic place. It's changing a lot, some of it for the better, and some, I think, a lot of people would say for worse. But it’s an interesting place to live, being the capital of the state.


It really is central, as you mentioned. You have the central mountains and the largest wilderness space in the lower 48, where we spend a lot of time—the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. We also explore across the Bitterroots into Montana. It’s a great place to live; we love being here!


MEG: It sounds like you have a pretty diverse background in the outdoor industry, so you bring multiple perspectives—both from an experience-based background and an equipment-based background with all those shops. What inspired your switch from that retail space to freelance writing?





DANIEL: Well, I think it wasn’t necessarily a switch. I double-majored in philosophy and journalism, and the written word has always been a focus of mine, whether through freelance work or professional full-time roles. I was doing that during my time in the surf industry, and I had a fantastic experience.


As a classic overthinker, I'm always evaluating the values I’m working on. When you're interacting with a customer, you're looking out for their best interests and their genuine experience, but you're also trying to run a business. That was always top of mind for me—providing a healthy, positive experience that contributed to my community while also operating a successful business.


I’m very grateful for my past opportunities, particularly because I was able to maintain that local shop atmosphere, where I was still connected to the impacts our personal interactions made. So, I wouldn’t say it was necessarily a switch; rather, my transition away from that particular industry to focus on writing was a personal choice. I found that I enjoyed the experience more than the sales aspect, and removing that from my life has opened up many doors and experiences for which I'm grateful.


That small community atmosphere can be really healthy, and I always enjoyed studying and engaging in that dynamic. I’m thankful for the opportunities I had.


You started out with surfing, which is interesting because you've gravitated more towards fly fishing. But maybe that’s not so surprising since both activities are water-related. I’m not very familiar with fly fishing, but when we first connected, that was the focus you thought could really apply to this minimalist mindset.


MEG: So, for me and for listeners who may not be overly familiar with fly fishing, could you explain a little bit more about it?


DANIEL: Sure! I see the overlap between fly fishing and my past experience with surfing. Working in the surf industry, I’ve always been a passionate person who likes to participate actively in the things I enjoy. I immersed myself in that community and surfed at every opportunity.


After a while, I did get a little overwhelmed, and I found myself really fascinated by spearfishing. I was living in central California at the time, where that's a popular activity. It provided another way to connect with a space I loved and understood—the water, the waves, and the ocean floor were all relatable, yet different enough to intrigue me.


One thing led to another, and shortly after visiting, I moved here and got into fly fishing. For me, it’s really about curiosity and the search. I don’t mean to romanticize that phrase; I know it's common in various industries. But for me, that search is where physical discipline intersects with a bit of academic and mental practice—research and understanding, along with an element of luck. You could have everything lined up perfectly, and I’m interested in that opportunity where all those elements come together.


I think any surfer, fisherman, or outdoor enthusiast can relate to that experience. What I find significant is that I view my outdoor experiences through this lens, as opposed to just focusing on the singular moment of catching the biggest fish or riding the biggest wave. It’s those real moments that you look back on.


I just finished a major trip, and looking back, very few of those moments are about the catch or the fight with the fish, which people often talk about. It’s the whole experience—understanding the weather, the effort it took to climb the mountain, the drive to get there, the surrounding elements, and the historical narrative that led to that experience. I find that context fascinating, and I think it applies to most passions people have in the outdoors, but mine happens to be fly fishing.


MEG: I agree! Listening to you explain that got me thinking about my own trips and remembering those experiences. It’s interesting how our activities are interconnected. But I do want to talk about your trip—wasn’t it pretty long? Like six months or something?


DANIEL: Yes, it took six months in total. I was on the road for five consecutive months. I completed what’s called the Western Native Trout Challenge, which is a framework for anglers to pursue and be recognized for catching various species of western trout. These fish are iconic in the western United States, and people travel here to fish in high mountain streams, as well as places like California, New Mexico, and even Alaska.


I wrote a series for the conservation group Trout Unlimited and worked with partners like Orvis, Montana Fly Company, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Essentially, I compiled my experiences pursuing each of the native species in the western United States. That amounted to 20 species and resulted in a 40-part series with full-length articles. I can share links in the show notes.


The project aimed to raise awareness of our native species, whether plants or animals. Understanding your surroundings is a key step toward becoming more aware of your environment and ecosystem. I believe it inevitably leads to a healthier relationship with your place—your "place" with a capital P—which ties into the broader concept of conservation. Examining native species and their stories is a real step toward having a healthy understanding of your environment and managing it as such.


MEG: I think the education piece, along with feeling a deeper connection to any type of landscape or wildlife while recreating, really changes the overall experience.


For a fisherman, that connection could potentially be even deeper. I’m not an angler myself, but I would guess that having a relationship with the animals you’re directly interacting with shapes the experience.





DANIEL: Absolutely! I personally believe that. There are all sorts of fishing styles and types of people, so I’m not suggesting this is the only way to approach it. But if you enjoy fly fishing or fishing at your local bass pond and want a more contextual experience, I encourage you to spend time learning about what you love.


For example, if you appreciate the art of casting a fly rod, consider the history behind it. Who made it? Where did it come from? What materials were used? Was it developed from a European lineage, or did it have roots in South America?


Those stories add depth to the experience. For me, studying native species was my entry point. Many people feel overwhelmed and ask, "How do I approach the outdoors responsibly?" They want to be environmentally conscious and responsible consumers. For me, understanding the native species in my area was the way I engaged with that responsibility.


I’m not saying this approach is for everyone, but I’ve found it incredibly rewarding. I haven’t met many people who have had a negative experience when I challenge them to explore their own backyard and discover what was there before colonization. I think that inquiry has proven to be worthwhile for friends and family time and again.


MEG: That might connect to your philosophy background, perhaps? I think it reflects an important mindset shift that many people are experiencing.


As a millennial, our generation is increasingly focusing on analyzing experiences and understanding their deeper meanings rather than just the belongings that facilitate those experiences.


While we still live in a consumer society, studies suggest there’s a shift toward valuing experiences over the material things that provide them. Does that make sense? That was a bit of a long-winded explanation!


DANIEL: It’s been my experience that, and your question makes perfect sense, you have to invest in yourself when utilizing these spaces and occasions—whether it's riding waves, catching fish, or enjoying natural environments. We gain so much from these natural occurrences, and while we’re enjoying them, we’re also taking something from them. Nothing is free.


I became really involved in conservation because I believe it requires investment. I may not have a comprehensive understanding of demographic trends by generation, as you described, but I think, hopefully, people are becoming more aware that decisions made in the past have tangible impacts on our world. I hope individuals are ready to invest their time and energy to enhance, secure, and protect these experiences for future generations.


There’s no need for shame or backtracking; rather, I hope people realize that these choices can have real consequences. We are, in some ways, suffering from past mistakes, but hopefully, we’re ready to step up and participate. If you take something away from a natural outdoor experience, I urge anyone listening to give something back to it because nothing is free.


MEG: I love that! It’s a very direct mindset, and it’s memorable and impactful. I think that’s why people in the sportsman realm—like anglers or hunters—often have a more direct impact on conservation. Their activities correlate directly with what they’re doing; they are physically taking something away, making it less abstract.


DANIEL: That’s a good point. I’m not a hunter myself, but as an angler, when you’re engaging with a living, breathing creature, it creates a tangible connection. That engagement is empowering. Sure, there are moral and ethical conversations to be had, but I think most people would agree that this direct connection is powerful.


I take pride in the North American conservation model, where public participation fuels the conservation of the resources people are involved with, whether it’s hunting, fishing, or angling. There’s a reason why this model is sought after worldwide, and I personally support it. To your point, that direct connection is a significant responsibility, and I hope it weighs heavily on people’s minds.


MEG: I appreciate your perspective on sports in general, and it can certainly extend beyond just fly fishing. I’d like to shift gears a bit—fly fishing can appear quite complex to an outsider, with all the gear and techniques needed. Yet it can also seem relatively minimal. As someone for whom fly fishing is a big part of your life, what’s the reality?


DANIEL: I’ll quote Craig Matthews, a well-known figure from West Yellowstone who owned a fly shop and is a fantastic fisherman. He said that fly fishing can be as complicated as you want it to be. When you find yourself getting caught up in choosing the perfect fly or rod, remember that you’re doing this by choice. You’re choosing to explore that complexity because you enjoy it, but you don’t have to.


One of the beautiful aspects of fishing, especially here in the Mountain West, is access to public lands. In terms of equipment, entry-level gear is quite good nowadays, making it hard to find something that won’t work. Investing in quality gear and getting out to fish is really about using your legs to access good spots.


There’s a saying: you can’t catch fish if your line isn’t in the water. It’s less about buying more or researching the perfect gear and more about giving yourself the chance to make it happen. You could spend an infinite amount on the perfect equipment, but if you’re in the wrong place or don’t know how to use it, it won’t matter.


MEG: That’s a barrier many people face when starting any new activity, not just fishing. It can be intimidating to sift through all the online content about the best options and reasons for choosing them, especially when you’re trying to build a foundation in a new sport.


DANIEL: You’ve tapped into something interesting here. There’s no right way to surf, just as there’s no right way to fly fish. While certain equipment can improve your experience, there’s no single correct method. One of the most beautiful aspects of these activities is that you can engage in them in a way that feels right for you.


You might choose the wrong fly or rod, but finding a new way to catch that elusive fish can be incredibly rewarding. That’s the beauty of fly fishing: there are no absolute rules, allowing for personal expression and style in your approach.


MEG: I feel like I’m learning so much about fishing!


DANIEL: Oh good! You’re right around the corner, so let’s get on the water sometime. I’d love to take you out. I think anyone can gain something from fly fishing.


MEG: Since we’re talking about barriers to entry in a new sport, what do you think is a helpful mindset when approaching an activity to avoid getting caught up in that gear-centric mentality?





DANIEL: I’d lean back into the origins of my experience: go to your local shop. The internet is great, and big box stores might offer better prices, but visiting your local shop is invaluable.


Describe what you want to do to the owner or staff. If you can, consider hiring a guide or outfitter. They have a wealth of knowledge, and spending a day on the river with a guide, enjoying lunch on the gravel bar, and picking their brain can be incredibly rewarding. Those are investments that pay off.


If you can’t afford a guide at first, just talk to the staff at a specialty shop. They’ll help steer you in the right direction, which encourages a positive experience. If you have a good time, you’re more likely to return. Guessing and picking equipment from the internet or a big box store may not give you the same advantage, even if those options can work for certain things.


MEG: I advocate for seeking out local outfitters and renting their equipment when starting out or traveling. It allows you to try different styles, which brings it back to your experience. If you’re enjoying yourself and learning, you’ll want to return to that activity.


DANIEL: Absolutely! The key ingredient to a great day on the water is focusing on the experience rather than what you don’t have. Enjoy the pursuit and the opportunity, rather than thinking, "Oh, I didn’t catch that fish because I didn’t have the right gear."


This revisits your earlier question about responsibility in fly fishing. Most entry-level equipment is good enough; the success of your day ultimately falls on you. So, spend time learning techniques and styles. If you’re in the right place and make a great cast, you can catch a fish with the wrong fly. It’s about skill, which you earn through experience, rather than just equipment.


MEG: I want to circle back to your trip and the native species. It seems like a big undertaking. How can you apply a minimalist mindset to such a large experience? I’ve grappled with this myself when planning extended trips, feeling the need to take everything to be comfortable and safe.


DANIEL: It starts with planning. Understanding your goals is crucial. For me, I wanted to complete the Western Native Trout Challenge. You don’t have to do the same; maybe you want a week-long trip to the Mountain West, visiting Idaho and Montana to catch four species. Knowing your goals allows you to plan effectively.


When applying a minimalist mentality to a big excursion, first consider your time constraints. Allow as much time as possible for a high-quality experience. This reduces pressure and enhances your enjoyment, helping you leave with a sense of contentment.


The second key is to look at your extremes. This may sound odd, but when taking a minimalist approach, your comfort items are often the last to pack. If you need essential gear for your trip, prioritize those items first. For example, if you require specific equipment to fish in certain conditions, make sure those are in your pack before worrying about comfort items like extra shirts.


This approach is applicable to many pursuits—bike touring, backpacking, etc. You always prioritize the most essential equipment first, then add a few comfort items if space allows. If you’re going to be in the rain, pack your waterproof jacket first.


Having the appropriate gear does enhance your experience. A good rain jacket, for instance, is crucial if you’re fishing in wet conditions. It can significantly improve your comfort and enjoyment, especially when camping in damp conditions.


MEG: I think you’re spot on. Preparing for a trip involves prioritizing essential gear, and your examples definitely resonate with me. These insights apply well beyond just fishing. Thank you for sharing!


With that, how can listeners learn more about you and your work, especially regarding the Western Native Trout Challenge?


DANIEL: The website for the Western Native Trout Challenge is westernnativetroutchallenge.org. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone interested in fly fishing, especially if you want to learn about native species.


For my work, I’m on Instagram @jacks_experience_trading. That’s where I share my freelance projects and portfolio. My website is jacksexperiencetradingcompany.com, where you can find more about my projects.


I’m working on some exciting stories about steelhead salmon and the potential breaching of the Snake River dams, as well as more native species work on the East Coast. I appreciate you letting me share all this. It makes my parents proud to see me applying my philosophy degree, so thank you for having me on. It’s great to exercise these mental muscles!


MEG: Thank you so much for sharing! I’ll link everything in the episode notes. Hopefully, we can chat again soon!


DANIEL: I’d love that. Thanks so much!






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