WHO WE ARE

From/Hometown: Powell, Ohio

How long you’ve served on the board: Two (2) years

How long you’ve fished: Forty (40) years

Favorite time of year to fish: Fall

Favorite fly: Parachute Adams

Favorite river outside of the Mad: Clear Creek

Other Fly fishing groups you are involved with: Board of Directors for Central Ohio Fly Fishing (COFF)

I was born in Louisiana and raised in northwest Ohio. My family always camped and enjoyed the outdoors, but neither of my parents fished. I caught my first fish at a family reunion when I was about 10 and was hooked. That year I asked Santa for a fishing pole.

I fished with that spinning rod on our family camping trips and at our annual trip to Lake Erie. When we were first married, my husband and I fished the river behind our house often. He introduced me to fly fishing and after some initial growing pains, I’ve grown to love it!! Just standing in the river and becoming immersed in nature heals my soul.

I’ve fished all over the US in both freshwater and salt. I’m also the Lead Mentor for The Mayfly Project-Columbus, a member of Ohio Women on the Fly and Central Ohio Fly Fishers.  I’m also a volunteer with Casting for Recovery and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. 

Currently, TU Ohio State Council and Mad River Chapter Conservation Chair and on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Association (OSRA). Past, TU Ohio State Council Chair and NLC Rep. and president of COFF and TU Mad River Chapter.

Over 40 years of conservation work on Mad River. Retired from Ohio EPA following 32 years of service, where he was co-leader for the development of the “Ohio Ground Water Protection and Management Strategy” and his last position was Assist. Chief of the Div. of Drinking and Ground Waters (DDAGW), overseeing the state groundwater program.

From/Hometown: Milford Center/Union County

How long you’ve served on the board: 5 years

How long you’ve fly fished: 20 years

Favorite time of year to fish: Spring and Fall

Favorite river outside of the Mad: Rock Creek MT

Other Fly fishing groups you are involved with: COFF

John was introduced to fly fishing in May 1986. This ignited a full-fledged love of fly fishing. John is a fly tier and has volunteered in instructional fly tying, casting, and fly-fishing instruction. In addition to his participation in conservation, restoration, and preservation activities along the Mad River as a member of the Mad River Chapter, TU.
John is also a board member of the Central Ohio Fly Fishers serving as Co-education Coordinator. John has been actively involved since 2012 in the Columbus and Central Ohio Program of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, (Project Healing Waters helps active military service personnel and veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod building).
He has also served as an annual fly fishing retreat guide in the Ohio program for Casting for Recovery (providing healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer through fly-fishing).

Born and raised in central Ohio, I fished lakes over the years, so when my three children were old enough, we started fishing the river behind our house! Great fun and the kids were better at it than me! Then I was introduced to fly fishing and absolutely loved standing in the river absorbing the natural beauty!

I’ve waded rivers big and small in Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Michigan and of course Ohio! Retired now, outings with the Ohio Woman on the Fly, Buckeye United Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited (TU) have given me memorable learning experiences. Along with leadership roles in 4-H, Girl Scouts and Project Healing Waters (veteran fishing), I see the Mayfly youth with a few fish tales of their own along with many smiles!

From/Hometown: Currently living in Central Ohio, born and raised in Wayne County, OH.

How long you’ve served on the board: One of the new kids on the block – less than a year.

How long you’ve fished: For as long as I can remember, started going out with dad as a kid. 

Favorite time of year to fish: Whenever the fish are biting!

Favorite fly: Currently the lackluster trusted and easy to tie, Clouser Minnow.

Favorite river outside of the Mad: The Montreal River.

Other Fly fishing groups you are involved with: Volunteer for the Columbus, OH chapter of Project Healing Waters.

From/Hometown: Gallipolis, Ohio

How long you’ve served on the board: Ten (10) years

How long you’ve fished: Since I was 4

Favorite time of year to fish: Summer in the Western States

Favorite fly: Any Soft Hackle

Favorite river outside of the Mad: North Fork of The Shoshone River

Other Fly fishing groups you are involved with: It has been a huge pleasure to teach students to fly fish over the last 13 years.

Hometown: New Middletown, Ohio

Current residence: Grove City, Ohio

Length on Board: one year

Length of Fishing: 57 years

Length of fly fishing: 66 years

Favorite time to Fish: All year long ( not all fly fishing)

Favorite Fly: March brown soft hackle

Favorite river: Kettle Creek in Pennsylvania

Jeremy grew up in West Virginia and settled in Ohio with his wife and kids after the military.  He got into fly fishing through Project Healing Waters in 2023.  After meeting Tom and Pam Allen he was hooked and dove in with both feet into this incredible community.  

Favorite Fly: Parachute Adams

Favorite River: Tie between the Madison and The Au Sable