About Us
Slow Water Rebellion does things differently.
It's not about catching fish, it's about catching your breath.
Russell James
Russell discovered angling while working as a licensed mental health counselor in 2013. Their first forays into the sport took place in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and they quickly realized the healing power of connecting with a river. While they eventually left the counseling field, they never left behind the principles they learned, and used them to build a life of coping and meaning.
Living with lifelong mental illness and autism means Russell has been forced to find a way of life outside of the norm. Fly fishing and connecting with nature as offered them a way to cope with stresses of disability and as a result, they believe fly fishing should be accessible to everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, and economic status.
Starting a new skill can be intimidating, and asking questions can create vulnerability. Many people in underrepresented populations feel intimidated and unsafe approaching a sport like fly fishing, or the outdoors in general. Russell aims to upset that idea by removing the gates barring these individuals from experiencing connection with nature via the waterways of the Willamette Valley and beyond.
Slow Water Rebellion stands against racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and misogyny. Russell is committed to making everyone feel comfortable casting a line, from beginners who have never held a rod, to veteran anglers who are looking for a new way to fish.
With this rebellious attitude, Russell hopes to expand the diversity of those engaging the water, and empower all people to fish with intention, and restore their connection with the natural world.
(1)
The Willamette Valley and Coastal Waters
Russell is based in the town of Corvallis in the foot hills of the Coast Range. Here, they can access the both the Willamette Valley and the coastal rivers systems easily. Both the valley and the smaller streams of the coast offer myriad opportunities to fish and connect with nature while reseting the nervous system.
From larger rivers such as the various forks of the Willamette and Santiam, to smaller coastal streams like the Alsea, and the Siletz, there are opportunities for both beginners and veterans alike.
(2)
Greater Oregon
While Russell's local waters are centered in the central Willamette Valley and the central coast, they are also well-versed in waters all around the state of Oregon and offer mobile packages to meet you where you are at, whether that be the Portland metro area, the northern or southern coastal regions, the central part of the state, and even the far flung eastern portions.
Oregon is a fantastic place full of myriad opportunities to fish in all varieties of environments. Russell is ready to come up with a plan that is best for you and your locale.
