TFS and SRWA Reel in Community for Fly Fishing Seminar

A growing partnership between the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) and Tallulah Falls School (TFS) is creating meaningful opportunities for students and community members alike, expanding the reach and impact of both organizations.

On Saturday, the TFS Fly Fishing and Water Patrol Club partnered with SRWA to host a free fly casting seminar featuring expert instructors from Fly Fishers International. The event welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of alumni, students from the lower, middle, and upper schools, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community. Club members also provided lunch for attendees, further emphasizing the spirit of hospitality and service.

Participants of all skill levels—from beginners learning how to hold a rod to experienced anglers refining advanced techniques—gained valuable instruction, hands-on practice, and a deeper appreciation for the sport. TFS IT Director and club sponsor Casey Barron noted the progress made throughout the day, as participants grew in both confidence and skill.

The seminar was organized by SRWA member Mike Watts, who coordinated expert instruction from Fly Fishers International members Carroll Hall, Scott Moore, and Picket Wall.

SRWA President Brad Coppage, who works closely with the TFS Fly Fishing Club, highlighted the broader impact of the program. “Classes like this teach people how to fly cast, and we hold fly-tying sessions and take them to private waters to fish. Once they get in the water, they see what we are explaining to them for quite a while. At some point down the road, they become the advocates. We have teachers involved, like Casey Barron, because he can better explain the programs we need to create and what they are interested in,” Coppage said.

Barron has seen the club’s rapid growth during its inaugural year and values the life skills it fosters. “Fly fishing is something that they can do for the rest of their lives, but it also opens the door for community involvement, from cleaning the river to showing up in their community, learning how to communicate and work with others, whether they are young or old. TFS teaches this through our character program, which gives them a place to apply it. They are really learning how to interact with people face-to-face,” he said.

TFS student and club member Merrick Carnes of Cornelia contributed by helping grill hot dogs and participating in the seminar. “It helped me so much with casting. I learned different techniques and how to add more casting skills,” he said. “I’ve met so many people in the fly fishing community, learned how to fly fish, and given back to the community.”

President and Head of School Dr. Larry A. Peevy, an avid fly fisherman, also attended the event. He expressed pride in the club’s growth and strong turnout, noting the value of bringing together the TFS and local communities to learn a lifelong skill and build meaningful connections.