Monthly Meeting January 14,2026

The History of Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing and Fly Tying

Based on his latest book, Southern Fly Tyers, co-authored with Gretchen Griffith, Alen Baker will present a brief history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing focused on our mountain streams, key events, fly tyers, and some of the most significant fly patterns created in the region.

Alen Baker graduated from Lenoir High School in 1969 and completed his B. S. in Computer Science from NC State in 1973.

He began fly fishing in 1981 and has since made it his passion. He retired as the Senior Director for Worldwide I/T Operations for Duke Energy in 2008, serving the company for 34 years. For the last decade, he has served as the founder and developer of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians in Bryson City. As an extension of the museum, he has opened the Cap Wiese Fly Fishing Center, providing fly fishing to veterans, cancer patients recovering, scouts, and foster kids as “therapy.”

He began writing about fly fishing and those who fly fish in 2006 and has authored and co-authored nine books to date.

Alen initiated the vision for the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians and has recruited ongoing support (pledges, volunteer hours, and content initiatives) from all southeastern states.