When did I catch my passion?
In 2005, I completed my diploma at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Biological Sciences - Renewable Resources. Crazy enough, Dave Critchley P.Biol., my instructor at the time, and now one of my contributors, can attest to this story.
My career direction was never focused on becoming a fisheries professional. Actually, before and immediately after I graduated, I detested fish and I was super scared to even touch one. After a successful interview, I found myself working for Golder Associates as a junior fisheries technician. I met a great professional biologist here, Angela Holzapfel, who introduced me to the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB) in 2006 which led to so many amazing opportunities.
As I continued my career at Golder, that one faithful field program in 2008, set the stage for an epic failure that led to my current successful small business. I was tasked with identifying fish during a fish rescue. Like many new technicians, it happened to me, I was reprimanded for identifying fish wrong, I thought my career was over, and I was written up by an Alberta government fisheries biologist. The biologist explained the lack of photos and distinct misidentification and they would not take my data submission. After that day, I was determined to identify fish correctly specifically small-bodied cyprinids (minnows). I was serious about my field notes, acquired photos, and collaborated with numerous people on how to identify fish quickly and correctly. To my curiosity, I was hooked and determined to pass along my newly acquired knowledge to other fish nerds. I continued to collect field keys from across North America, and my first drafts of the Alberta guide was generated. Thankfully to Jim O'Neil, he helped me to develop the Fish of Alberta - Field Identification Guide in its utmost infancy.
In 2013, I was approached by Jennifer Sipkens (Executive Director-ASPB) to teach the very first Fish of Alberta - Field Identification workshop. This is when I met my amazing contributor, ASPB volunteer, and artist extraordinaire, Joyce Evans.
With my new teaching gig, I decided to create a small business in 2015. After much deliberation, my brother Mark Grabill devised my business name the "School of Fish". Soon, my first Fish of Alberta - Field Identification guide was printed on a special lightweight, waterproof/tear-resistant paper to withstand water and the elements of fisheries fieldwork. As the guide was successfully accepted amongst field biologists, Dave Critchley graciously reached out to become my contributor and reviewer to make the guide even better! After I learned another valuable lesson in University (2015), the title changed from Fish (refers to a single species) to Fishes (refers to multiple species) of Alberta.
In 2018, I created the Fishes of Saskatchewan - Field Identification guide with Joyce and Dave as contributors and reviewers. The future looks promising with the creations of the Freshwater Fishes of BC (2023) and Manitoba (2025).
I want to pass along a huge thank you to my Mom and Dad for supporting my mental stability from the beginning. Joyce and Dave are crucial assets in my success as contributors and reviewers, for the work they contribute to the ASPB and for educating other biologists! Joyce continues to volunteers and organizes my fish identification workshops in Calgary and Edmonton. My brother Mark for always teaching me to reach for the stars and providing the origin of School of Fish.
To bring it all back to the beginning, Angela and Jim were my early career mentors allowing me to blossom into the fisheries professional I am today. Lastly, thank you to the ASPB as I am proud to be apart of a great society.
Hope you enjoyed the story of my field guides and the origins of the School of Fish.
In 2005, I completed my diploma at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Biological Sciences - Renewable Resources. Crazy enough, Dave Critchley P.Biol., my instructor at the time, and now one of my contributors, can attest to this story.
My career direction was never focused on becoming a fisheries professional. Actually, before and immediately after I graduated, I detested fish and I was super scared to even touch one. After a successful interview, I found myself working for Golder Associates as a junior fisheries technician. I met a great professional biologist here, Angela Holzapfel, who introduced me to the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB) in 2006 which led to so many amazing opportunities.
As I continued my career at Golder, that one faithful field program in 2008, set the stage for an epic failure that led to my current successful small business. I was tasked with identifying fish during a fish rescue. Like many new technicians, it happened to me, I was reprimanded for identifying fish wrong, I thought my career was over, and I was written up by an Alberta government fisheries biologist. The biologist explained the lack of photos and distinct misidentification and they would not take my data submission. After that day, I was determined to identify fish correctly specifically small-bodied cyprinids (minnows). I was serious about my field notes, acquired photos, and collaborated with numerous people on how to identify fish quickly and correctly. To my curiosity, I was hooked and determined to pass along my newly acquired knowledge to other fish nerds. I continued to collect field keys from across North America, and my first drafts of the Alberta guide was generated. Thankfully to Jim O'Neil, he helped me to develop the Fish of Alberta - Field Identification Guide in its utmost infancy.
In 2013, I was approached by Jennifer Sipkens (Executive Director-ASPB) to teach the very first Fish of Alberta - Field Identification workshop. This is when I met my amazing contributor, ASPB volunteer, and artist extraordinaire, Joyce Evans.
With my new teaching gig, I decided to create a small business in 2015. After much deliberation, my brother Mark Grabill devised my business name the "School of Fish". Soon, my first Fish of Alberta - Field Identification guide was printed on a special lightweight, waterproof/tear-resistant paper to withstand water and the elements of fisheries fieldwork. As the guide was successfully accepted amongst field biologists, Dave Critchley graciously reached out to become my contributor and reviewer to make the guide even better! After I learned another valuable lesson in University (2015), the title changed from Fish (refers to a single species) to Fishes (refers to multiple species) of Alberta.
In 2018, I created the Fishes of Saskatchewan - Field Identification guide with Joyce and Dave as contributors and reviewers. The future looks promising with the creations of the Freshwater Fishes of BC (2023) and Manitoba (2025).
I want to pass along a huge thank you to my Mom and Dad for supporting my mental stability from the beginning. Joyce and Dave are crucial assets in my success as contributors and reviewers, for the work they contribute to the ASPB and for educating other biologists! Joyce continues to volunteers and organizes my fish identification workshops in Calgary and Edmonton. My brother Mark for always teaching me to reach for the stars and providing the origin of School of Fish.
To bring it all back to the beginning, Angela and Jim were my early career mentors allowing me to blossom into the fisheries professional I am today. Lastly, thank you to the ASPB as I am proud to be apart of a great society.
Hope you enjoyed the story of my field guides and the origins of the School of Fish.