02/07/2026
Check out this fantastic write-up by RiS Board Member Ellen Begley about the fly show!
“Despite less than ideal weather conditions and the cancellation of the Fly Fishing Show contract with the Gas South conference venue, this year’s Atlanta Fly Fishing Show was a spectacular success. Because it was hosted at a locally-owned Atlanta fly shop, the Show really emphasized connections with local tiers, fly shops, and organizations.
David O’Banion, who is a member of the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club (AFFC) also approached us about speaking at a conference he helping to organize in the spring. He is a children’s psychiatric physician with Emory who is organizing “wellness events” for outside of the conference that emphasize the benefits of fly fishing on mental health, sobriety, and overall wellness. He wants to work with us to not only get the mission of RiS out to a wider group of people, but also partner in a casting/fly fishing education session.
Lastly, we received a 21-person list of individuals expressing interest in RiS’s mission, retreats, and volunteering. I am especially grateful to Rob Shulze, Nan Matthews, Justin Cape, Jason Causey, Jimbo McKean, and Jenn Pilot for volunteering despite Atlanta’s winter storm. We stayed pretty warm next to the heater and the excitement surrounding RiS’s mission and connection through this sport was palpable.
We also owe many thanks also to Gabe from the Fish Hawk (along with the store crew and his mom, Denise!) for putting this event together despite the circumstances and ensuring that we stayed comfortable, warm, fed, and caffeinated throughout the two-day Show.”