HatcHERy — the Women of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Fish Hatcheries: Sarah Gump

Editor’s Note: This is a seven-part series from Colorado Parks and Wildlife celebrating the women dedicated to improving Colorado’s fish populations at CPW’s Fish Hatcheries.

Meet Sarah Gump. A Hatchery Technician at Durango Fish Hatchery for the last 15 years, she developed a love for fisheries and aquatics while attending middle school in the San Luis Valley. Her passion for fish science and biology and creating space for more women in her industry is what fueled this seven-part series. Sarah saw the chance to talk about her work and highlight her six colleagues as a way to build knowledge of the work being performed at fish hatcheries — and also as a way to showcase women performing duties that some may think are only reserved for men.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) employs 81 people across 19 fish hatcheries — seven of whom are women. CPW’s fish hatcheries stock nearly 90 million fish into Colorado’s waterways each year, supporting the state’s recreational fishing opportunities. This work is also critical to native fish recovery and conservation efforts, a responsibility CPW’s hatchery staff have proudly upheld since 1881.

From spawning fish eggs to leading school tours, driving fish stocking trucks, and hauling fish-filled backpacks on multi-mile backcountry treks, CPW hatchery staff work across the state to sustain Colorado’s fish populations. The job requires knowledge of aquatic and fish biology, a love of the outdoors, grit and a sturdy pair of waders. While not everyone possesses all these qualities, CPW is fortunate to have these women who do.

Q&A with Sarah Gump

Sarah shared some words of wisdom and reflection from her many years working to get Colorado’s fish up and down the stream during a Q&A:

What inspired you to begin working for a fish hatchery? 

When I was in middle school my science teacher started an Angel Fish Club to get us interested in science and biology. We bred angelfish and sold the offspring. We used that money to have a pizza party at the end of the year. I was excited to be in the club as I always loved being around water. This ignited my love for fisheries and aquatics. I knew that I wanted to work outdoors and the Hatchery Section of Colorado Parks and Wildlife seemed to fit.

Talk about your career journey

I started working alongside Colorado Parks and Wildlife while I was in college at Trinidad State Jr. College in Alamosa Colorado. I was in a work study program that allowed me to work in my field of study while I was in school. I worked at the Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility as well as the Monte Vista Fish Hatchery. At the Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility, I worked with many species including the Rio Grande sucker, the bonytail chub and the boreal toad. 

I took the Colorado State Hatchery Exam three times. Once placing third, once placing 10th and the last time placing third again. I had been volunteering at Durango Fish Hatchery for two years after I graduated due to a state hiring freeze. I was working at Wal-Mart to pay the bills but felt that it was important to keep my foot in the proverbial door of the Hatchery Section. So for two years I worked five days a week at Wal-Mart and then every weekend at Durango Fish Hatchery. 

In 2010 I was hired at Rifle Falls State Fish Hatchery. I worked there for two wonderful years learning how to drive commercial sized trucks, stocking millions of fish all over the State of Colorado, and loading fish onto airplanes on the tarmac of Eagle Airport.

In 2012 I was afforded the opportunity to transfer to Durango Fish Hatchery and I took it. I have always had a deep connection with Southwest Colorado and the San Juan Mountains.

What drives your passion for continuing to work with fish?

I really enjoy being able to see new country and feel like I am making an impact in our state through stocking fish. My favorite part of the job is stocking the fish. I enjoy stocking by truck but the type of stocking I love the most is bag stocking. Every year at Durango Fish Hatchery I have the opportunity to bag stock native cutthroat trout into Lime Creek in the San Juan Mountains. Any work with the native cutthroats of Colorado is what I enjoy most.

What skills help you be successful?

There are many skills that help me be successful. From welding, electrical work, plumbing, woodworking, fabricating to operating large equipment. All of these skills come in handy from time to time. What has benefited me by far the most is communication skills. To be able to schedule, coordinate and navigate the more difficult stocking scenarios, school tours and education outreach opportunities is pivotal to a successful State Hatchery operation.

What excites you about your role at Durango Fish Hatchery?

At Durango Fish Hatchery I get the unique opportunity to work with native cutthroat trout. I had the opportunity to be a part of the Hermosa Creek Restoration Project, and we are rehabilitating a strain of native cutthroats that were thought to be extinct. They are known as the San Juan cutthroat. I also get to work with many school groups around the region and share my passion for the hatcheries and Natural Resource Management.

What unique contributions do you think women bring to the fish hatchery?

I can’t speak for all women. I do observe in my work group that I am more outgoing and more willing to engage with school groups and public outreach opportunities. I find that my strengths are more attuned to the needs of my crew and the hatchery as a whole. Attention to detail and public outreach education are among my unique contributions.

What is something most people don’t know about your work?

I think most people are unaware that raising fish, traveling across the state and releasing fish could actually be a job. I think if more people (including women) knew about the hatcheries and what we do, our workplace and the mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife would benefit. In this career, I get the opportunity to work with some of the most passionate people I have ever met, and for that I am truly grateful. 

What do you want to communicate to other women who may be interested in working at a fish hatchery? 

There is a place for you here. There is a place for you in Colorado Parks and Wildlife and there is a place for you in the hatchery section. This career has been the adventure of a lifetime and I have found peace and purpose in this work. If you are interested in the adventure of the fish hatcheries you can find purpose here as well. You are welcome here.

By: Brittni Ehrhart-Gemmill, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategist