I photographed a free fly fishing class for beginners at the Orvis outdoor outfitting store at the Forum in Norcross for the Peachtree Corners Patch newspaper on Sunday, July 24, 2011. The class, led by angler Tim Matthews, taught a group of eight how to tie knots, cast their lines and reel in their catch using fly fishing equipment. Classes have been held every weekend since May of this year until this past weekend. Plans are in motion to offer more beginners classes as well as more advanced classes starting this fall. These are my favorite images from the class.
Blake Smith, one of the fly fishing instructors at Orvis, talks about the different parts of the rod during the beginners class on Sunday, July 24, 2011.
A fly set lays on one of the counters at Orvis in The Forum on Sunday, July 24, 2011. A fly is the bait used in fly fishing.
Mary Brennan, right, learns how to tie a basic know with instruction from Rich Carithers, left, as he husband James leans in to watch at the Orvis store inside the Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011.
Sharyn Lane learns how to tie a knot to attach the hook to her fly fishing line at the Orvis store inside The Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011. The store has held beginning fly fishing classes every weekend since May. Beginning, as well as advanced, classes will continue starting in the fall.
Leon Lane, left, his wife Sharyn, Steve Bradley and Andy Hendrix extend the lines on their fly fishing rods before learning how to cast at The Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011.
Mary Brennan looks over at her husband as she receives instruction on how to fly fish from Tim Matthews at the Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011.
Nick Hinger stands in line with his fellow classmates as they cast their fly fishing lines outside of The Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011. The classes, given by employees at Orvis, will resume in the fall.
Steve Bradley practices casting on a fly fishing rod at The Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011.
Blake Smith teaches his class how to extend the line on their fly fishing rods during a beginners class at The Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011.
Nick Hinger receives instruction from Tim Matthews as he practices casting on a fly fishing rod outside of The Forum in Norcross on Sunday, July 24, 2011. Matthews has been teaching beginners classes since May at the Orvis store inside The Forum.