Reeling in a new generation

Fly fishing instructor Megan Nellen wades slowly through hip-deep water, net in hand, calling out guidance to the young angler who just hooked a rainbow trout. Moments later, the two celebrate by the Chattahoochee River bank, flashing big smiles as they pose for a photo with the fish before releasing it back into the tea-colored waters.

It’s another memory, another moment of joy created in the river that is connected to so many over generations. Organizers of the day’s outing hope it’s also what inspires the next generation of anglers and river caretakers.

The day of learning and lessons on the river was part of the second annual the Becca K. Powell All Girls Fish event held Oct. 23 at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen. The session also introduced an award honoring the late Alex Harris of Clarkesville, a beloved figure in the community and a mentor to many in the sport.

The fly fishing session for girls ages 5 through 18 is hosted by Georgia Women Fly Fishers and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, with an aim to invite more females to participate in the sport and understand the necessity of natural resource conservation.

Becca Powell, development director for nonprofit Chattahoocee Riverkeeper, said presenting the Alex Harris Leadership Award is a way to carry on the legacy of someone who did so much for the fly fishing community and for welcoming women.

“Alex always encouraged us to get more into the sport, to pickup a fly rod, to invite other young women, older women and everyone in between, to come get out on the water and to embrace this sport he grew up loving,” Powell said.

Harris, who died unexpectedly in September, operated Rivers Edge on the Soque in Clarkesville, which offered fly fishing day trips.

“Since he was such a mentor to all of us, we really want to take his legacy and encourage more people in the community to follow suit, to follow in his footsteps,” Powell said.

The Alex Harris Leadership Award honors a person for going beyond in their support for getting women of all ages involved in fly fishing and conservation.

“Because we can’t have wonderful fishing opportunities without healthy waterways,” Powell said.

Harris’ wife, Tammy, and other family members attended the event and award presentation. She said family, faith, fly fishing and helping others were important to her husband.

“He had a kind heart,” said Tammy Harris, as she watched a group of 40 girls learn from a slate of all-female teachers. “He would be honored today.”

This inaugural award was presented to Deighan Cherry of Austin, Texas. After taking part in the first All Girls Fish event in 2019, she decided to launch Fly Girl Global. The network fosters connections among other girls interested in conservation and fly fishing, and it has also led to local river cleanup events and fishing trips.

Cherry, who met Alex Harris at the 2019 event, spoke fondly of the experience and his influence.

“Mr. Harris knew a lot about fishing, but the most important thing I learned from him is that one kind person really can change the world,” she said.

The award came in the form of a painting by Hannah Griffin that depicted Cherry and Harris fly fishing in the river.

After the 2020 All Girls Fish was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Powell said all 40 positions for the year’s event were filled within 24 hours – with another 40 signed up for a waiting list. She said the event will be held over two days due to the response, beginning in 2022.

Participants moved through stations teaching about knots, insect life on the river and how it related to the type of fly lure to use, casting and fish handling. The afternoon included guides taking students to the river to fish.

The activities were led by Georgia Women Fly Fishers, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, United Women on the Fly and The Orvis Company, which also gave each girl an Orvis rod and reel and other items for fly fishing.

Paul Range, an Atlanta-based district manager for Orvis, said All Girl Fish aligned with the company’s own initiatives to get more women fishing and more people involved in protecting the river.

“It’s important to get young people involved in a sport that depends on the protection of all waterways, but in particular the Chattahoochee that, from North Georgia all the way through Atlanta, we rely on not only for our drinking water, but also for recreation,” Range said. “We feel like by encouraging more young people to fish in general, that we’re developing the next conservationists in our communities as well.”

Range credited support for the event from the local fly fishing community, including Unicoi Outfitters, which was also recognized with a gift of appreciation.

Unicoi Outfitters co-owner Jimmy Harris, accepting the award with his wife, Kathy, said the day’s gathering was what the fly fishing business is truly about.

“It’s about the opportunities you have to meet people from around the world who have the same interest as you and to introduce new people to this wonderful sport we have,” he said.

And the love of the fly fishing comes with an understanding that working to preserve the clean waterways is interlocked with the sport. Jimmy Harris challenged participants to share that message with others.

“I implore you to not forget about what you’re doing today,” he said. “Not just the fishing part and learning about fly fishing, but learning about how to be a good steward, a good caretaker of what we have.”