Cat Toy Biography

A gorgeous rainbow trout from the Taylor River.

Cat grew up in Mammoth Lakes, California, next to the wild trout creeks and streams in a quaint ski resort town nestled in the magnificent Southern Sierra Nevada mountain range.  She learned to ski at an early age of 3 from her grandparents.  Her grandfather would take her and her younger brother fishing to the high alpine lakes and mountain streams.  They hiked the spectacular glacier carved mountains blanketed with vibrant wildflowers, tall majestic Jeffery and Bristlecone pines, and deep earthquake faults. 

Twin Lakes, one of Mammoth's beautiful lakes in California.

Her family moved to Reno, Nevada for new prospects to explore and college education opportunities.  As a young adult, she enjoyed several seasons as a ski instructor at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.  Shortly thereafter, she took an interest and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician.

Motocross racing in Nevada.

The gates dropped and the rumble of 20+ guys racing motocross dirt bikes exploded from the starting line, including Cat. Not just a recreational racer, Cat pursuit the points in the annual MX West State Championship motocross racing series in Northern Nevada. Cat knows racing motocross as the most adrenaline pumping perfect storm of both physical and mental concentration that is an absolute requirement for the most severe sport on earth.  Her swift progression in the male dominant sport kept her competitive for 10 years with multiple trophies and numerous corporate racing sponsors. 

As an emergency medical technician, the aspiration to go further in the healthcare field led her into the journey of further studies where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2007.  Racing motocross, she said, kept her sane in surviving nursing school.

Cat is a ski patroller at Loveland Ski Area.

Cat’s nursing career started in Colorado with experience in psychiatric nursing, post surgical rehabilitation, and as a nursing educator.  In addition to channeling her medical expertise, she is also a ski patroller at the pinnacle summit of the Rocky Mountains gracing the slopes of Loveland Ski Area. Like racing motocross, ski patrolling is physically demanding, requires an aptitude of awareness, discipline, and superior public relation skills. 

The opportunity to experience fly fishing occurred in recent when she was merely handed a rod and reel to discern on her own. Cat used her past experiences of life skills to perfect the techniques that are necessary to be a successful fly angler, and her progression rate soared. Experienced fishing buddies, professional guides, and friends were stunned at Cat's expeditious passion to own the skills.  As a disciplined fly angler, she changed her approach by analyzing the intricate facets of fly fishing from spontaneous hatches to the most technical presentations required among the ever changing drifts of a trout stream. 

Cutthroat trout that can be fished in Clinton Gulch Reservoir

Fly fishing can take Cat to some of the most ruggedly beautiful, breathtaking canyons found in Colorado.  The near future will unfold as there will be more to come with fly fishing for Cat.  There is so much to share, enjoy, and to treasure.

Fishing the Yampa River during winter.

Cat is part of the Pro Staff Team and brand ambassador for Togens Fly Shop, ShopMcFly, WORN, Mystic Fly Rods, and Solarez   She writes fly fishing blogs for Togens Fly Shop, ShopMcFly, Mystic Fly Rods, and United Women on the Fly. 

Cat is a fly fishing guide with Blue Quill Angler.  She is also an avid fly tier. “There is such great enjoyment with fly tying and the absolute bliss catching beautiful trout on your own tied flies.” Fly tying gives her “the artistic touch in creating the tiniest forms of art for the prize, the trout.”  When one of her clients catches a fish on her flies, it is an out of this world moment of excitement for both!  If she isn't nursing or guiding, she is out fishing, fly tying, writing, or riding her dirt bike.  Take a look at her events calendar where you may find her.