Atlanta, Georgia Project

Jim is a retired retained executive search consultant with experience in a wide range of industries and functional areas. During the last 17 years of his career, he was a Director with Stanton Chase International where he functioned as a generalist with a concentration in the manufacturing, logistics and transportation industries.

A native of Pennsylvania who has made Marietta, Georgia his home since 1978, Jim has been an avid fly fisher for over 50 years.  A FFF Certified Casting Instructor since 2006, he has fished fresh and saltwater destinations from Alaska to Belize.  He is a past president of the Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the largest chapter of TU in Georgia with over 850 members, and is currently Executive Vice President.  He also volunteered for four years as Program Chair for the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club, the local FFF affiliate.

One of his passions is sharing his enthusiasm for fly fishing with others.  For a number of years, he has led the UCCTU sponsored Rizzio Fly Fishing and Conservation Clinic for boys and girls from ages 10 to 15, as well as fly fishing clinics for women each fall.  He also volunteers his time providing one-on-one casting lessons as a fundraiser for UCCTU.

My fishing journey began just three years after I was born in Cumming, GA. I started out catching small bluegill and slowly worked my way up to bass. Because there aren’t many streams near my house, I didn’t grow up fly fishing but 13 years later my dad put a fly rod in my hand. I didn’t get the hang of it at first. Now at the age of 17 I feel proficient, but I realize there is so much more to learn. I look forward to volunteering for the Mayfly Project and obtaining guiding experience while having fun and mentoring others. I hope to transfer the beautiful art of fly fishing to someone else.

Fishing was a passion of mine from an early age before becoming an obsession and later a career. After 20 plus years in the financial services industry I made the transition into guiding and ultimately opening a fly shop. I am a rare Atlanta native and now live in the North Georgia mountains on the Soque River in Clarkesville.

Born and raised in north Georgia; Fishing has always been a part of Emaly’s life, thanks to her dad, who could be found fishing for catfish in the local pond or salmon in Alaskan waters. She is passionate about empowering other women to pursue fly fishing, and excited to use her training and development background as a mentor for TMP.