The Fli River Anglers (FRA) is a nonprofit organization and chapter of the Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC). Co-founded by avid fly fishermen Jeremy Piper, Ryan Thompson and Adam Haffajee, FRA’s mission is threefold: improve angler access to the Flint River, increase access to angling for underserved youth, and bring hunting and fishing conservation groups together to maximize the impact of their shared missions. “Conserve, preserve and improve local waterways for enjoyment by anglers,” says Piper, “that is our goal.”
(L-R) Getting ready to “Fish the Flint” are FRA Co-founder Adam Hafajee, Ryan Bessert and Josh Park.
According to Piper, the idea for an organization of anglers came about in 2020 after the FRWC reached out to him. “They wanted people to fish and we wanted to support the effort,” he shared. “It worked out really well!” Piper also said the Coalition had a large project underway at that time to restore the Flint River, especially in the Downtown Flint area. “They needed an angler’s voice in the project and we wanted to introduce fly fishing to underserved kids in Flint, which is our main priority.”
“I want the kids to see the Flint River in a way they never have before.”
Jeremy Piper, FRA Co-Founder
FRA holds three yearly events with the primary goal of giving kids who may have never had a dad or grandpa to go fishing with an opportunity to fish and learn respect for the Flint River. “Kids on the Fly” is the organization’s signature event, with youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint participating. “We take the kids out and introduce them to fly fishing,” Piper said. “Every kid leaves the event with a fly rod kit that retails for $250.” And fly fishing isn’t easy, he added. “It gives the kids a confidence boost when they pick up a skill and realize they can do something challenging.”
Last year, approximately 28 kids participated in Kids on the Fly, which took place at a trout farm in Dexter, MI. The kids were able to take home the fish they caught. The prior year’s event was held at Mott Lake and the exciting day ended with a pizza and ice cream party.
In February, another FRA event, the “Fly Fishing Film Tour” was held at the Capitol Theatre in Downtown Flint. Admission to the matinee show was free and attended by 600 youth from Flint Cultural Center Academy and the International Academy of Flint. There was also an evening show. “Like-minded groups come to the festival as we all have the same mission,” Piper reported. The national film tour is a traveling road show that features a condensed version of the world’s best fly fishing films. “This year was a good one!” Piper exclaimed. One of the film’s co-stars, Westley Allen, is a Michigan Fishing Guide from Baldwin, MI. Piper reached out to invite him to come to the event and speak to the kids about his fishing adventures. “It was really impactful,” he added. “The kids got to see the movies Westley co-starred in.”
FRA’s upcoming “Fish the Flint” event takes place in June. Supporters of FRA and the group’s volunteers all float down the Flint River and fly fish. “The Flint River is amazing!” Piper exclaimed. “People don’t know there is really great fishing in the Flint River.” The group uses drift boats which are launched from a launch site in Flushing. “It is very scenic and takes about three hours,” Piper reported.
“It gives the kids a confidence boost when they pick up a skill and realize they can do something challenging.”
Jeremy Piper
Piper has enjoyed fly fishing since he was very young and has passed his love of the sport to his own children. He is also passionate about helping underserved youth learn the skill. “It’s a great way to spend time outdoors. I want the kids to see the Flint River in a way they never have before.”
FRA holds three yearly events with the primary goal of giving kids who may have never had a dad or grandpa to go fishing with an opportunity to fish and learn respect for the Flint River.
How to Support FRA
Donations are made through the Flint River Watershed Coalition (reference Fli River Anglers) and are tax deductible. All funds support FRA’s kid programs. For more information, visit fliriveranglers.com
