Fishing Roots
By Gary J. Cordray

I have lived in Colorado my entire life. I have been fishing since I was probably six or seven years old when my father and grandfather would wake me up at 4 a.m. and drive us 45 minutes west of our home in Grand Junction to the Grand Mesa, and its hundreds of small mountain lakes and streams. They would string a worm onto a size 12 Eagle Claw hook, top if off with a couple salmon eggs, put enough sinkers on the end to make the rod bow when...

I have always taken on sports and activities that require a certain amount of intellectual curiosity and personal commitment. I enjoy the pursuit of knowledge as much as the application.

As well, I tend to lean toward the outdoors when it comes to wasting time. I enjoy bowling once in a while, but much prefer to be outside in the fresh air where the elements come into play.

Additionally, and most unfortunately, my hobbies tend to involve a certain amount of financial...