White Mountain Fly Fishing Club

Our history

The beginning — 1984

The club started in the fall of 1984 as the White Mountain Fly Casters Association. The first meetings were held in Pinetop at Squires Sports Den — the old Bud Wheetes general store building, where the parking lot sits today.

The goal from day one was simple: fellowship and education for anyone interested in the art of fly fishing. The club held monthly evening meetings and scheduled as many outings as possible to local lakes and streams. By the summer of 1985 there were already 20 to 25 members.

Trout Unlimited chapter — 1996

In 1996 the club became a chapter of Trout Unlimited and moved its meetings to Pat's Place and the Black Bull.

Becoming a 501(c)(3) — 2011–2012

The club was originally organized as a 501(c)(7) non-profit social club. In 2011 paperwork was filed to convert the club to 501(c)(3) status, which was granted in 2012 — making donations to the club tax deductible and opening the door to more conservation and education work.

Silver Creek reconstruction — 2012

One of our biggest accomplishments was the complete reconstruction of Silver Creek in Show Low in 2012. With financial support from Arizona fly fishing clubs and organizations, and the hard work of our members, dams were constructed to form pools and structure was added to the creek to provide holding places for fish. It was a combined effort of WMFFC, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Sports Fish Restoration, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Today

The club now meets at The Nature Center Lakeside on Woodland Road. We still hold monthly meetings, still run fishing outings, still teach fly tying and casting — and we still fish together as often as the weather and the hatches allow.

Past presidents

The club has been led over the years by:

Thanks to every one of them — and to the dozens of officers and volunteers who kept the club running behind the scenes.