About Us
Georgia Women Fly Fishers was founded in 1997 and is a member-driven organization comprised of anglers passionate about fly fishing, friendship, and community. We think everyone deserves a place on the river, and we cultivate a welcoming, non-competitive environment where anglers of all backgrounds and skill levels can belong. We believe in adventure and joy and think fly fishing should be fun. We celebrate exploration, curiosity, and the simple joy of casting a line into moving water.
Our mission is to introduce and support women in the sport of fly fishing while building community, sharing knowledge, and protecting the waters we love.
“GWFF is proof that fly fishing isn't really about the fish at all; it's the best excuse I've found to build real friendships, and there's room for you too.
— Hilton T, GWFF President
Meet Our Board
-
![Woman smiling and holding a small colorful fish by a river with green trees in the background.]()
Hilton Thompson
President
Hilton Thompson is an Atlanta native who fell hard for fly fishing after her first trip to Jackson, WY in the fall of 2023—and she’s been all in ever since.Hilton is passionate about building community—especially for women. She organizes a monthly Women + Tech meetup, volunteers with the Period Project to help provide essential hygiene products to those in need, and gives her time to the Girl Scouts of Atlanta through their annual Camp CEO event, mentoring the next generation of young leaders.
Relational at heart, Hilton has a knack for bringing people together, staying wildly organized, and not taking herself too seriously. When Hilton isn't on the water with a fly rod in hand, you can find her planning unique events, reading a good book, painting watercolors, or getting her hands dirty in her flower garden.
-
![Person holding a large fish on a boat with water and blue sky in the background.]()
Megan Nellen
Vice President
A native Atlantan, Megan learned how to cast when her childhood minister, PRUMC's Don Harp, put a fly rod in her hand in front of a mosquito-infested pond in south Georgia. It wasn't until 15 years later that she heard the zingggg of her reel and landed her first fish - a bonefish on the flats of Belize.Megan's first years as an angler were spent in the salt, but she picked up freshwater fishing five years ago - about the time she joined GWFF as a member. Recently, memorable freshwater trips include hiking and fishing for bull trout throughout in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and floating the Missouri River in search of the big browns. An educator, Megan is most passionate about her volunteer work with Casting for Recovery - Georgia and more recently as a guide for All Kids Fish in Helen.
-
![Person in sunglasses, a baseball cap, and outdoor clothing kneels in shallow water holding a fishing net with a large fish inside.]()
Mary Parker Forbus
Secretary & Membership
I started fishing at an early age at my Grandparent's farm pond with a spinner rod and bucket of crickets. When I met my now husband - he introduced me to fly fishing. I immediately became hooked (pun intended). I like the calmness of being on the river - disconnected from what's going on in the world. When fishing you have to be focused on that and your mind can't be thinking about anything else. I joined GWFF to connect with other women who share the same mutual passion for fly fishing! -
![Person sitting on a boat holding a fish, wearing sunglasses, a cap, and bright blue pants with a fishing rod on their lap, against a background of blue sky and ocean.]()
Lindsay Podrid
Ghille
Lindsay is a Georgia native and grew up fishing the local Marietta ponds with her Dad. She attended college in New York and, upon graduating, moved to Atlanta, where she developed a love for the outdoors and has spent many weekends in a tent. Thanks to the social media algorithm, she found fly fishing and, like many, fell deep into the rabbit hole. She took the Orvis 101 in June 2024, and hasn't looked back since. Whether she's getting skunked on the Hooch or catching giant bows on the Yampa, there's nowhere she'd rather be than on the water.
When not fishing, she can be found on Atlanta's Westside with her two dogs, Toast and Bagel. She works as a freelance graphic designer, but is always willing to clear her calendar to go fishing.
-
![Woman holding a large fish on a boat in a calm water body, with reeds and trees in the background, wearing sunglasses and a hat.]()
Ellen Begley
Communications
Atlanta native Ellen spent her summers at an all-girls camp in Clarkesville, GA, teaching outdoor skills, canoeing, and helping out with the horseback cabin. After living in Virginia and Maine, she came back to Atlanta and fell in love with fly fishing, devouring every book she could find and spending as much time as possible on the Ocmulgee and Chattahoochee Rivers.When not flirting with bad hooksets on her Redington butter stick or getting roasted by librarians for seemingly reading more about fishing than actually fishing, Ellen practices civil litigation defense and insurance law. She also enjoys kayaking, camping, and going to concerts with her dog, Quinn, and partner, Will.
-
![Person wearing sunglasses, hat, and outdoor clothing holding a largemouth bass fish in a river with trees and blue sky in the background.]()
Danielle Witt
Treasurer
Danielle is a northerner who moved to Atlanta in 2022 and has always had a passion for aquatic life. She grew up enjoying all the outdoors has to offer, including fishing with conventional tackle. Already having a love for fish, she quickly fell in love with fly fishing when her partner introduced her to it in the summer of 2024. Danielle learned about GWFF while shopping for flies in Helen. She joined the club to expand on her fishy knowledge and to enjoy her new favorite hobby with adventurous, like-minded women.
Now, Danielle's weekends are spent bluelining for trout, wet wading for bass, or scouting for redfish, and her weekdays are spent caring for all things aquatic as a marine biologist for the Georgia Aquarium. Come say hi!
-
![A woman wearing sunglasses and a cap, smiling while holding a large fish near a riverbank with green trees and cloudy sky in the background.]()
Annie Hutmacher Griffith
Membership & Social Media
Annie has been fishing since 2020 and took on fly fishing in May of 2021. She joined GWFF in 2022 and has been an active member ever since! She enjoys finding wild trout and can be seen most times in small creeks and streams in North GA and Western North Carolina. Annie enjoys fishing for trout, bass and bluegill.
A Metro Atlanta native, raised in Marietta and now lives in Canton, GA. She enjoys fishing with members from the club, at AMFs, or with her dog (Otis) and husband (Gavin). Annie currently serves as our Social Media Manager and one of the Membership Coordinators.
-
![A smiling woman wearing sunglasses on a boat, holding a fish with green and purple scales, surrounded by a river and green trees.]()
Theresa Ward
Education
Theresa is a native of the Great Lakes region and has always loved being on the water. She's been living in Atlanta since 2009 and has enjoyed everything the Southeast has to offer from camping, hiking, and wakeboarding, to volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium.
When she's not outdoors, Theresa runs her own business as a professional communications and culture consultant. She's also a passionate furmom and yoga practitioner. She recently took up Fly Fishing and is loving the opportunity to support GWFF members by crafting educational experiences (while she learns so much herself)!!
-
![A fish caught in a black fishing net on a gravel riverbed. The fish has a brown and yellow patterned body with a reddish tail fin.]()
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in joining the board or volunteering with GWFF?
We have several board positions open and are always looking for volunteers for our events and educational opportunities.
Email us for more info.
Our History
Georgia Women Fly Fishers began with a simple discovery and a big idea. In 1997, Darlene Koncak first experienced fly fishing while on vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. When she returned to Atlanta, excited about the sport, she searched for local groups where she could continue learning. Finding that most fly fishing clubs were largely male-dominated, Darlene imagined a space where women could feel comfortable learning, asking questions, and building friendships around the sport. Together with her friend Diana O’Brien, she founded Reel Women of Georgia, Inc., creating one of the region’s first fly fishing communities dedicated to women.
By early 1998, the club was officially incorporated and quickly began attracting women eager to share in the adventure. Early members gathered for meetings, fishing outings, and clinics, forming a supportive group of anglers who encouraged one another both on and off the water. As the club grew, the name was changed to Georgia Women Flyfishers, reflecting its expanding reach and identity within the fly-fishing community.
Throughout the years, the club has been powered by dedicated volunteers and passionate anglers who helped grow its programs and traditions. Members participated in regional fishing events, organized gatherings and fundraisers, and celebrated one another’s successes—from first casts to tournament wins. Leaders within the club also began offering beginner classes and mentorship opportunities to help more women confidently step into the world of fly fishing.
Giving back has also become a meaningful part of the club’s story. Georgia Women Flyfishers members have supported programs such as All Kids Fish, Casting for Recovery, and more. Today, the club continues to honor its founding vision: creating a welcoming community where women can learn the art of fly fishing, connect with one another, and share a lasting appreciation for the rivers and waters that bring them together.
