Submitted by 1_last_cast on Mon, 2014-04-21 22:08 Upper Chattahoochee Chapter - 436 Vote Up Down 0 + gopr0085.jpg So Rick, tell me a bit about yourself and how you got into fly fishing: I grew up in Nashville and went to college at the University of Tennessee School of Architecture and graduated in ’78. Then I lived in Ithaca, New York from 1986 to 1995 and I started fly fishing when I lived there. I had always used a spinning rod, but a friend at work encouraged me to try a fly rod. He helped me purchase my first fly rod outfit and gave me a few lessons on the beautiful trout streams around Ithaca. Upstate New York is a beautiful area. Have you got some favorite spots around GA? My favorite fishing trips involve backpacking for a few miles up into the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, and fishing dry’s for Brownies. My favorite spot is Hazel Creek. Just simply gorgeous. Do you have a story about “the one that got away”? There have been many, but the one I keep thinking of occurred up on Hazel a few years ago. At the time I was nymphing, and using a little weight to fish a deep pool. Never saw what it was, but it pulled pretty hard and snapped my line. So Rick, why did you join TU and what do you enjoy most about it? I joined UCCTU about 9 years ago and have really enjoyed being part of the organization. I guess the biggest reason I got involved was to learn more, and hopefully to fish more. I have been involved in stream workdays in helping to build structures, and in a few of the fund raising activities. I was responsible for selling tickets to the Fly Fishing Film tour evening that the Chapter put on last Fall, and helped with the rod raffle last Spring. I enjoy being involved with TU because we all have a similar passion for the sport and the things that are associated with it, including protecting our environment. What sorts of activities do you enjoy outside of fly fishing and TU? I enjoy spending time with my family. I run, not a lot, maybe 3-4 times a week, 3-6 miles at a time. Would love to find time to train for another half. I organize a couple of charity runs thru work for cancer research. Cancer has touched all of us.