FFI Announces 2026 Award Recipients
Celebration Event November 18th
2026 FFI Awards
Awards presented by Fly Fishers International (FFI) acknowledge those individuals who demonstrate the highest levels of achievement, dedication and contribution to preserving the Legacy of Fly Fishing.
Join us on Wednesday, November 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET to celebrate the recipients in an online ceremony. Click to register to attend.
FFI Fly Fisher of the Year
Doug Silver
Bailey, Colorado
Doug Silver is a lifelong natural scientist whose curiosity about the outdoors has shaped both his professional career and his passion for fly fishing. With undergraduate studies in zoology and geology and a master’s degree in economic geology from the University of Arizona, Doug began his career as a prospector and concluded his 50-year career as a portfolio manager for the world’s largest mining private-equity firm.
Doug’s fascination with fish began in childhood, when he maintained freshwater and saltwater aquariums. That interest eventually evolved into a decade of sponsoring graduate students in fisheries science at Colorado State University, where he insisted on participating directly in their research. His hands-on involvement led to published expertise in Mysis diluviana, commonly known as the opossum shrimp. His scientific interests also span limnology, paleolimnology, tree-ring research, environmental DNA, paleontology and ecosystem analysis.
An observant and analytical angler, Doug approaches fly fishing with the same scientific curiosity that has defined his life, carefully studying and documenting what he encounters on the water.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Doug began developing an app designed to identify fly patterns from photographs. Seeking expertise, he connected with Fly Fishers International’s fly tying community. Although the project was ultimately unsuccessful, it introduced him to an organization where he discovered camaraderie, opportunities to contribute and a community equally passionate about learning.
Today, Doug values his involvement with FFI, embracing new challenges, strengthening his fly tying skills and sharing his lifelong enthusiasm for science, fishing and discovery.
As the recipient of the FFI Fly Fisher of the Year Award, Doug Silver is recognized for his dedication, service and lasting contributions to the fly fishing community, reflecting the spirit of leadership and generosity that strengthens the sport and inspires others.
FFI McKenzie Cup Award
The Stonefly Maidens
Lake Oswego, Oregon
For nearly 30 years, the Stonefly Maidens Fly Fishing Club has championed the advancement of women in fly fishing through education, mentorship, conservation and community. Founded on a mission to empower women through a welcoming and inclusive environment, the Oregon-based club has grown into a thriving organization of more than 115 members, ranging in age from 21 to 81.
Education is central to the club’s success. Since 2003, its annual Introduction to Fly Fishing workshop has introduced women to equipment, casting, entomology, knot tying and fishing etiquette. Monthly educational meetings, professional speakers and free casting clinics provide ongoing opportunities for members to develop their skills and confidence.
Equally important is time spent on the water. With 21 outings scheduled in 2025, the club offers everything from local day trips to multi-day fishing adventures, creating opportunities for anglers of all abilities to learn, lead and build lasting friendships.
The Stonefly Maidens also demonstrate an enduring commitment to conservation and service. Since 2004, members have volunteered extensively at the Oregon Council FFI Expo, supporting fundraising efforts that benefit regional conservation. Their partnership with the Deschutes River Alliance includes volunteer support for its annual auction and Troutfest.
Through accessible education, dedicated volunteerism and a supportive community, the Stonefly Maidens have become influential advocates for women in fly fishing and the protection of Northwest waters. Their contributions to education, conservation and the broader fly fishing community exemplify the spirit of FFI’s McKenzie Cup Award.
FFI McKenzie Cup Award
Veterans Fly Fishing Club
Acworth, Georgia
Founded on a commitment to service, healing and community, the Veterans Fly Fishing Club (VFF) has introduced hundreds of military veterans to the restorative benefits of fly fishing. Based in Dahlonega, Georgia, the volunteer-run organization operates under Fly Fishers International (FFI), providing outdoor experiences that foster connection, confidence and well-being.
The club’s origins trace to Dr. John Mauldin, a retired clinical psychologist and wounded veteran who joined FFI’s Goodwill Guides program in 2017. Recognizing fly fishing’s therapeutic potential for veterans experiencing combat-related stress, he transformed the program into Veterans Fly Fishing Club in 2019.
Under his leadership, VFF developed a program offering veterans a day of instruction, guided fishing and camaraderie on the water. Open to former and active-duty military personnel, the club serves hundreds of participants annually through the dedication of nearly 50 volunteer guides and casting instructors.
To ensure quality instruction, Dr. Mauldin established a guide certification program emphasizing technical skills, safety and mentorship. The club also actively promotes FFI’s Fly Casting Skills Development program, with volunteers achieving Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition. In partnership with FFI, VFF co-hosted the Southeastern Region’s largest casting skills development training event.
Although Dr. Mauldin recently passed away, his legacy continues through the volunteers and veterans whose lives have been enriched by the program.
Through its dedication to education, volunteerism and supporting military veterans, the Veterans Fly Fishing Club exemplifies the service, leadership and community spirit recognized by FFI’s McKenzie Cup Award.
FFI Buz Buszek Fly Tying Memorial Award
John Kreft
Sisters, Oregon
John Kreft’s passion for fly fishing and fly tying began around 1970, when he discovered the artistry of fly casting and learned to tie his first flies under the guidance of Wayne Doughton, a hardware-store owner in Salem, Oregon. More than five decades later, that early fascination has become a lifelong commitment to innovation, education and preserving the traditions of fly tying.
In 2014, John established RiverKeeper Flies, initially to organize his fly-pattern recipes. Today, the website is an extensive educational resource featuring hundreds of patterns, tying techniques, insect photography and historical accounts of classic flies and their creators. His popular Throw Back Thursday Flies series celebrates the history and craftsmanship of fly tying, ensuring traditional patterns and their stories are preserved for future generations.
Since 2016, John has also operated a custom fly tying business, producing everything from delicate trout flies to steelhead, Spey and saltwater patterns. His expertise spans traditional and contemporary techniques, with particular emphasis on practical, effective designs, precise proportions and thoughtful material selection.
A dedicated educator and mentor, John has taught throughout Central Oregon and at fly fishing events across the West. His contributions to Fly Fishers International, the Oregon Council and the Northwest Fly Tying Expo reflect his commitment to strengthening the fly-tying community.
Recognized for his technical excellence, creativity and generosity in sharing knowledge, John embodies the spirit of the FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award, inspiring others while advancing and preserving the craft he loves.
FFI Lifetime Achievement in Fly Casting Education Award
Phil Gay
Monkton, Maryland
Phil Gay’s passion for fly fishing began in childhood when his grandfather introduced him to fly casting with a Shakespeare Wonder Rod. That early experience sparked a lifelong dedication to the sport and, ultimately, to teaching others the art of casting.
Following college, Phil embarked on a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Navy pilot, flying nearly 500 combat missions in Vietnam, earning the Silver Star and holding four commands, including the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy.
In 1994, Phil and his wife, Carol Stephenson, established Trout & About, offering fly fishing instruction, guiding and hosted trips to destinations worldwide. Over the decades, they have introduced hundreds of anglers to fly fishing while helping experienced casters refine their skills.
An FFI-certified casting instructor for more than 30 years, Phil was among the first to achieve Master Casting Instructor certification. He served 13 years on FFI’s Casting Board of Governors and has mentored, trained and examined countless certification candidates.
Phil’s contributions extend to developing instructional videos, leading workshops and advancing FFI’s Continuing Education program. Alongside Carol, he regularly hosts casting examinations, mentoring sessions and educational events at their Maryland property on the Gunpowder River, fittingly named “The Last Cast.”
Known for his patient, practical teaching style and unwavering commitment to mentorship, Phil has influenced generations of anglers and instructors. His extraordinary contributions to casting education, leadership and community exemplify the spirit of FFI’s Lifetime Achievement in Fly Casting Education Award.
FFI Conservation Award
William Strickland
Mobile, Alabama
William Strickland’s connection to water began in childhood, fishing the Black Warrior and Tombigbee rivers and countless tributaries, lakes and ponds around Tuscaloosa, Alabama, alongside his father and grandfathers. Those early experiences established a lifelong appreciation for healthy waterways and thriving fisheries.
A graduate of the University of Alabama, William earned a civil engineering degree and two national football championships playing under coach Nick Saban. His early career in environmental engineering revealed an important distinction between regulatory compliance and meaningful environmental protection. That realization inspired a career shift into international nonprofit work, during which he also pursued theological studies at the Missional Training Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Since 2022, William has served as executive director of Mobile Baykeeper, leading efforts to protect and restore coastal Alabama’s waterways. Under his leadership, the organization has challenged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ practice of dumping dredged material into Mobile Bay, building a coalition of conservation partners, anglers and community advocates. The campaign generated more than 36,000 letters demanding stronger protections for the estuary and its fisheries.
William’s conservation vision extends beyond individual campaigns to restoring seagrass beds, oyster reefs, healthy fisheries and waters safe for swimming.
An avid angler and fly tier, William enjoys pursuing everything from bass and trout to tarpon and salmon, with a particular fondness for redfish on Alabama’s coastal flats.
William lives in Mobile with his wife and three children. His ultimate measure of success is ensuring future generations inherit abundant, healthy waterways. As the recipient of the FFI Conservation Award, William is recognized for his leadership, advocacy and dedication to protecting the waters and fisheries that sustain communities and inspire anglers.
FFI International Ambassador Award
Jorge Trucco
Argentina
Jorge Trucco has spent nearly five decades introducing anglers to the waters of Argentine Patagonia while advancing fly fishing education, conservation and international fellowship.
Beginning his professional guiding career in 1978, Jorge helped establish Patagonia as a world-renowned fly fishing destination. He founded Patagonia Outfitters, introduced innovative guiding equipment and made more than 40 promotional trips to the United States. His expertise attracted anglers from around the world, including fly fishing legends Lefty Kreh and Mel Krieger, as well as celebrities featured in the television series Fly Fishing the World.
Conservation has remained central to Jorge’s work. In 1985, he helped establish Northern Patagonia’s first catch-and-release regulation on the Upper Malleo River, setting an important precedent for regional fisheries management. He also led successful efforts to prevent dam construction on the Collón Curá and Aluminé river systems, protecting valuable aquatic ecosystems. In 1994, he founded the Fishing Guides Association of Neuquén, promoting professional standards and conservation ethics.
An FFI member since 1979, Jorge was recognized as an Outstanding Fly Casting Instructor in 1993 and named an FFI International Ambassador in 2021. Through teaching, guiding, writing and mentorship, he continues to connect fly fishing communities across North and South America.
Jorge’s pioneering leadership, commitment to conservation and dedication to sharing the sport across cultures and borders exemplify the spirit of FFI’s International Ambassador Award, recognizing a lifetime of contributions to fly fishing worldwide.
FFI Darwin Atkin Fly Tying Achievement Award
Jack Gillis
Farmers Branch, Texas
Jack R. Gillis is a lifelong fly tier and dedicated member of Fly Fishers International (FFI) and its Fly Tying Group. He currently serves as Chair of the FFI Fly Tying Group Board of Governors, where he is actively involved in advancing fly tying education, preserving the craft, and supporting tiers and instructors throughout the international fly fishing community.
Jack’s service to fly fishing and fly tying organizations spans many years. He is a past President of Fort Worth Fly Fishers, past Vice President of Dallas Fly Fishers, and past First Vice President of the FFI Texas Council. He also serves as an Evaluator for the FFI Fly Tying Group Instructor Endorsement Program, helping assess and encourage excellence in fly tying instruction.
His involvement in the broader fly tying community includes membership in the Northwest Atlantic Salmon Fly Guild and the Roadkill Roundtable, a longstanding group of fly tiers whose origins date to 1972.
Jack’s accomplishments as a fly tier have been recognized with both The Fly Dressers Guild Bronze Achievement Award and the FFI Gold Fly Tying Achievement Award. His work has also appeared in Fly Tyer magazine.
An experienced demonstration fly tier, Jack has demonstrated at many of the fly fishing and fly tying community’s notable gatherings, including the Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo, Sowbug Roundup, Troutfest, FFI Rendezvous, and numerous other shows and events.
Whether demonstrating at the vise, evaluating instructors, serving in organizational leadership, or working to expand educational opportunities for other tiers, Jack remains committed to preserving the traditions of fly tying while helping pass its skills, techniques, and appreciation to future generations.
FFI Dick Nelson Fly Tying Teaching Award
Sherry Steele
Sisters, Oregon
Sherry Steele has been a member of Fly Fishers International (FFI), formerly the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), since 2004. Throughout her years of service, she has held numerous leadership roles at both the regional and national levels. She served three years on the FFF Board of Directors and chaired the FFF Museum Committee, where she helped organize, display, and document the thousands of artifacts housed in the museum.
In 2009, Sherry founded the Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild, an FFI Charter Club. The Guild specializes in providing winter fly-tying education, including approximately 18 Zoom tying classes each season for 6 years. The club also creates handcrafted fly plates and donates them to nonprofit, conservation-minded organizations to support their fundraising efforts.
From 2010 through June 2026, Sherry served as President of the Oregon Council of Fly Fishers International, providing 15 years of dedicated leadership to the organization. During that time, she also served as chairperson of Oregon’s Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo for nine of those years helping coordinate and grow one of the region’s premier fly-tyer & and fly-fishing events.
Her contributions to FFI have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Oregon Council’s 2010 Federator of the Year, the FFF National 2010 Oregon Award of Excellence, and the 2014 FFF National Federator of the Year. She has received the FFI President’s Award four times, the 2017 National President’s Medal, and the 2025 FFI Council Leadership Award.
Sherry has been fly tying and fly fishing for more than 22 years and has served as a demonstration fly tyer at numerous fly-fishing and fly-tying events throughout the western United States. She has also shared her knowledge by teaching fly tying at The Fly Fisher’s Place fly shop in Sisters for 14 years, as well as for local schools in Oregon and fly-fishing clubs.
Sherry’s lifelong commitment to fly tying, education, leadership, and conservation reflects her passion for bringing people together and strengthening the fly-fishing community at every level.
FFI Women’s Community Development Award
Whitney Gould
Peck, Idaho
A FFI Certified Casting Instructor, Whitney guides for steelhead on the Clearwater River in Idaho after a long career of guiding on the Missouri, Grande Ronde River Alaska’s Kanektok River.
She teaches one and two-handed casting when she is not competing in fly casting competitions worldwide the most recent being Italy where she won 4 gold medals, contributing to Team USA’s first place finish, she is a 8- time Spey-O-Rama International Casting Champion and the current world record holder of Spey casting and SeaTrout distance.
Other than being geared up in layers of clothes and waders in frigid steelhead waters in the northwest with her spey setup, Whitney’ s other favorite place to be is bombing casts into the wind, looking intently for permit and tarpon on the bow of a flats boat.
FFI Fly Fishing Skills Education Award
Austin Orr
Austin, Texas
Austin Orr, owner of Elevate Fly Casting, has made an extraordinary and highly visible contribution to comprehensive fly-fishing education through his sustained outreach, innovative teaching methods, and unwavering support of new and youth anglers. A certified casting instructor and educator, Austin is consistently present at community events, fly fishing gatherings, workshops, and youth-focused programs, where he generously shares his expertise and mentorship to anglers at all stages of their journey.
Austin’s commitment extends well beyond formal instruction. He actively supports beginner and youth anglers by creating welcoming, low-barrier learning environments and meeting students where they are, both literally and figuratively. His teaching approach is widely recognized for its innovation, incorporating creative drills, adaptive techniques, and clear, accessible instruction that demystifies fly casting and accelerates skill development. These methods have proven especially effective for first-time anglers and young learners, helping them build confidence and technical proficiency early on.
Through Elevate Fly Casting, Austin’s continuous and conspicuous efforts align closely with the goals and objectives of Fly Fishers International by promoting excellence in skills education, mentorship, and long-term angler development. His visibility, generosity, and impact within the fly-fishing community make him a highly deserving nominee for the FFI Fly Fishing Skills Education Award.
FFI Council Leadership Award
Mark Rockwell
Santa Barbara, California