**Troy Taylor loves spending time fishing in Lake Taupō and surrounding rivers.**

Troy Taylor is tackling mental health one angler at a time.

By Dan Hutchinson

During the day, Troy works for Pinnacle Midlands Health supporting people with long-term conditions and those with mental health challenges.

In his own time the Taupō man he runs a men’s fly-fishing group and has a rapidly growing social media presence with his Fish & Chat series which involves out-of-the-blue approaches to men fishing on the river.

“I just approach people. They don't know I'm coming … and I'm so lucky to get a variety of people with different backgrounds. Everyone's got a story to share. Everyone, whether they think they don't or not.

“Because everyone's lived, sometimes through a lot of really terrible and difficult times. It's not always that people say yes. Often, it's actually they say no.”

He says the whole point is to help normalise the difficulties people are going through and while people are not expecting him to show up while they are fishing on a river, often they need to talk to someone and it’s surprising how often they do.

“It’s so that people aren't thinking, ‘oh, I'm crazy’ or ‘I'm going through something. I'm the only one going through this’ when in actual fact you're not alone. At some point, there'll be someone that has gone through what it is that you've gone through and their story may support someone, help them during what is a difficult time for them.”

He has recently started up fly fishing groups to provide a safe, social and supportive environment, where people can engage with nature and improve their mental health.

In his groups and candid chats he has spoken to a lot of people dealing with grief.

**Troy casts a fly on the Waitahanui River.**

“That's something no one can escape, so them sharing their story allows someone else to understand that they're not alone and some of the tips and strategies that they've used to help manage their grief and process that sometimes helps the (Instagram) viewers.”

Troy is studying towards his psychology registration, he loves his work and plans to continue in the field for the rest of his life.

He was recently nominated for the Harcourts Taupō Good Sort Award by friend Steve Claydon who says Troy’s initiative has been “instrumental in breaking down stigma, normalising conversations around mental health, and encouraging others to speak openly.

“What makes Troy truly exceptional is his ability to combine his professional expertise with his personal passion to make a real difference.

“His work is an outstanding example of leadership, compassion, and dedication to the wellbeing of others.”

While he has been in the Taupō community most of his life, Troy, 35, says he only started fly fishing last year, although he has been passionate about saltwater fishing for about seven years.

“I was hooked straight away and ever since then I've thought, well, I've got to somehow find my way of getting the passion that I have for helping people and fishing and if I can somehow make that my job.”

He says a lot of people are out fishing for the peace and quiet and to improve their state of mind.

“And that's why sometimes some people will say no … they'll say, ‘no thanks buddy, I'm just here to get away’ and that’s sweet as.

“I don't pressure anyone into talking about anything they don't want to as well. Or talking in general. But yeah, it's so therapeutic.”

You can watch Troy’s videos on Instagram/troytaylor_