Meet Our Board
HILTON THOMPSON
President
Hilton Thompson is an Atlanta native who fell hard for fly fishing after her first trip to Jackson, WY in the fall of 2023—and she’s been all in ever since.
Hilton is passionate about building community—especially for women. She organizes a monthly Women + Tech meetup, volunteers with the Period Project to help provide essential hygiene products to those in need, and gives her time to the Girl Scouts of Atlanta through their annual Camp CEO event, mentoring the next generation of young leaders.
Relational at heart, Hilton has a knack for bringing people together, staying wildly organized, and not taking herself too seriously. When Hilton isn't on the water with a fly rod in hand, you can find her planning unique events, reading a good book, painting watercolors, or getting her hands dirty in her flower garden.
MEGAN NELLEN
Vice President
A native Atlantan, Megan learned how to cast when her childhood minister, PRUMC's Don Harp, put a fly rod in her hand in front of a mosquito-infested pond in south Georgia. It wasn't until 15 years later that she heard the zingggg of her reel and landed her first fish - a bonefish on the flats of Belize.
Megan's first years as an angler were spent in the salt, but she picked up freshwater fishing five years ago - about the time she joined GWFF as a member. Recently, memorable freshwater trips include hiking and fishing for bull trout throughout in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and floating the Missouri River in search of the big browns. An educator, Megan is most passionate about her volunteer work with Casting for Recovery - Georgia and more recently as a guide for All Kids Fish in Helen.
MARY PARKER FORBUS
Secretary & Membership
I started fishing at an early age at my Grandparent's farm pond with a spinner rod and bucket of crickets. When I met my now husband - he introduced me to fly fishing. I immediately became hooked (pun intended). I like the calmness of being on the river - disconnected from what's going on in the world. When fishing you have to be focused on that and your mind can't be thinking about anything else. I joined GWFF to connect with other women who share the same mutual passion for fly fishing!
ALLISON HUNN
Treasurer
Allison, a Georgia native from Hawkinsville, has always had a deep connection to the outdoors, especially through hunting and fishing. After relocating to Sheridan, Wyoming with her husband, she discovered her true passion for fly fishing, particularly for Tiger Trout in the scenic Big Horn Mountains.
Upon moving back to Georgia to work at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Allison joined GWFF to share her love for the sport and the outdoors with other women. Now, she’s excited to pass that same passion on to her daughter, teaching her both the thrill of fly fishing and the appreciation for nature’s beauty. Outside of fishing, Allison enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring photography, and traveling the world in search of new adventures.
ELLEN BEGLEY
Communications
Atlanta native Ellen spent her summers at an all-girls camp in Clarkesville, GA, teaching outdoor skills, canoeing, and helping out with the horseback cabin. After living in Virginia and Maine, she came back to Atlanta and fell in love with fly fishing, devouring every book she could find and spending as much time as possible on the Ocmulgee and Chattahoochee Rivers.
When not flirting with bad hooksets on her Redington butter stick or getting roasted by librarians for seemingly reading more about fishing than actually fishing, Ellen practices civil litigation defense and insurance law. She also enjoys kayaking, camping, and going to concerts with her dog, Quinn, and partner, Will.
LINDSAY PODRID
Ghille
Lindsay is a Georgia native and grew up fishing the local Marietta ponds with her Dad. She attended college in New York and, upon graduating, moved to Atlanta, where she developed a love for the outdoors and has spent many weekends in a tent. Thanks to the social media algorithm, she found fly fishing and, like many, fell deep into the rabbit hole. She took the Orvis 101 in June 2024, and hasn't looked back since. Whether she's getting skunked on the Hooch or catching giant bows on the Yampa, there's nowhere she'd rather be than on the water.
When not fishing, she can be found on Atlanta's Westside with her two dogs, Toast and Bagel. She works as a freelance graphic designer, but is always willing to clear her calendar to go fishing.
ANNIE HUTMACHER GRIFFITH
Membership & Social Media
Annie has been fishing since 2020 and took on fly fishing in May of 2021. She joined GWFF in 2022 and has been an active member ever since! She enjoys finding wild trout and can be seen most times in small creeks and streams in North GA and Western North Carolina. Annie enjoys fishing for trout, bass and bluegill.
A Metro Atlanta native, raised in Marietta and now lives in Canton, GA. She enjoys fishing with members from the club, at AMFs, or with her dog (Otis) and husband (Gavin). Annie currently serves as our Social Media Manager and one of the Membership Coordinators.
THERESA WARD
Education
Theresa is a native of the Great Lakes region and has always loved being on the water. She's been living in Atlanta since 2009 and has enjoyed everything the Southeast has to offer from camping, hiking, and wakeboarding, to volunteering at the Georgia Aquarium.
When she's not outdoors, Theresa runs her own business as a professional communications and culture consultant. She's also a passionate furmom and yoga practitioner. She recently took up Fly Fishing and is loving the opportunity to support GWFF members by crafting educational experiences (while she learns so much herself)!!
Outreach
COMING SOON
FRIENDS OF GWFF
Georgia Women Flyfishers is proud of our relationships with so many supporters in the fishing community. We are partnered with, are supported by and provide support to the following
