Fly Fishers International

What Fly Fishers International does

Fly Fishers International (FFI) is a 501(c)-style non-profit membership organization founded in 1964 and headquartered in Livingston, Montana, serving a global community of fly fishers through education, conservation advocacy, and member-supported programs. Its core offerings include the Fly Casting Education Program (FCEP) with instructor certification across single-hand and two-hand casting disciplines, the Fly Tying Group (FTG) with skills awards and instructor certification, FFI Women Connect for women in fly fishing, and youth education programs such as Kids Teaching Kids and Scouting America Merit. Content is delivered via Flyfisher Magazine, Whip Finish Journal, The Loop Journal, online webcasts, and the All Fish All Waters Connect member forum, while conservation efforts span projects (Basscatch, Cuttcatch, Whitlock-Vibert Box, Monofilament Recycling) and advocacy actions (Protect Bristol Bay, Save the Boundary Waters, Everglades Restoration, climate change). FFI serves individual fly fishers as its primary segment, alongside guides/outfitters, business members, and a federation of Charter Clubs, Affiliate Clubs, and International Affiliate Clubs.

The organization generates revenue through three principal streams: recurring membership fees across tiered annual and lifetime levels (Standard, Advocate, Patron, Sustainer; FTG membership $20/year or $285 lifetime), donations via structured programs (President's Club, Legacy Circle, 1000 Stewards), and merchandise sales through the FFI online store. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via flyfishersinternational.org, supplemented by event-based engagement (FlyFest) and an Industry Partner Program linking commercial partners such as Ross Reels and Airlite Rods to member benefits and grant funding (up to $1,000 for youth fly tying programs). The technology footprint is minimal — there is no proprietary software product, mobile app, or API; the platform consists of a content/transactional website, an online member forum, and basic CRM-style member administration.

FFI employs 42 staff and operates with a Board of Directors governance model, alongside specialized sub-boards such as the 14-member Fly Tying Group Board of Governors. Financials are not publicly disclosed. The organization competes less on price or technology and more on brand heritage, certification credibility, and its federated club structure — characteristics typical of legacy hobbyist non-profits rather than venture-scale entities.

Name

Fly Fishers International

Legal name

Fly Fishers International, Inc.

Website

https://flyfishersinternational.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fly Fishers International, founded in 1964 and headquartered in Livingston, Montana, is a non-profit membership organization providing fly casting and fly tying education, conservation advocacy, publications, and community programs to individual fly fishers, guides, and affiliated clubs globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Fishing Membership Organization

NAICS

Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (114)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Fly Fishing Specialty Retail (CRAMALAD)

Keywords

• Fly fishing education
• Conservation advocacy
• Membership organization
• Casting instruction
• Fly tying education

Headquarters

HQ city

Livingston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual and lifetime membership fees from individual fly fishers, guides, outfitters, and business members. Various tiers including standard and elevated supporter levels (Advocate, Patron, Sustainer).
2. Donations: One-time and recurring donations including President's Club, Legacy Circle, and 1000 Stewards programs for major donors.
3. Store Sales: Sale of merchandise including the NETrekk wading staff and net, plus fly fishing gear through the online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fly Fishers International operates a global non-profit membership organization that delivers fly fishing education through certified instructor programs, publishes member magazines and journals, runs conservation initiatives for waters and fish habitats, and sustains a network of local councils and clubs. Members receive access to educational content, certifications, publications, and an online community forum, and the organization sells branded merchandise and operates programs for youth, women, and fly tying.

Product overview

Fly Fishers International operates as a non-profit membership organization offering educational programs, conservation initiatives, and community platforms for fly fishers globally. The core offerings include the Fly Casting Education Program (FCEP) with instructor certification, the Fly Tying Group (FTG) with membership and skills programs, FFI Women Connect community program, and publications including Flyfisher Magazine, Whip Finish Journal, and The Loop Journal. The organization also provides a grant program for youth fly tying education (up to $1,000), an online member forum (All Fish All Waters Connect), and merchandise through its store. Conservation programs encompass fish habitat protection, recycling initiatives, and advocacy efforts. The organization supports councils and clubs with resources, insurance, and equipment loans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FFI Membership Annual tiered membership offering for individuals, guides, outfitters, and businesses that provides member benefits including certifications, publications, club access, and discounts.
• Fly Tying Group (FTG) Membership Subscription membership for the Fly Tying Group providing video libraries, manuals, skills award programs, instructor certification, and the Whip Finish Journal. Priced at $20/year or $285 lifetime.
• Fly Casting Education Program (FCEP) Comprehensive fly casting education and certification program with instructor and mentor resources, covering single-hand and two-hand casting disciplines for fly fishers seeking formal instruction.
• FFI Women Connect Dedicated community program for women in fly fishing providing events, newsletters, photo contests, and networking opportunities.
• FTG Grant Program Grant program providing up to $1,000 in discounted merchandise through the FFI Industry Partner Program to support councils and clubs establishing Youth Fly Tying Programs.
• Flyfisher Magazine Official membership publication providing news, articles, and educational content to FFI members.
• Whip Finish Journal Quarterly publication of the Fly Tying Group featuring articles on planning and teaching tying workshops, techniques, and material descriptions.
• The Loop Journal Publication focused on fly casting education and skills development, distributed as part of the casting education program.
• NETrekk Wading Staff & Net Branded wading staff and net merchandise sold through the FFI online store for fly fishers.
• All Fish All Waters Connect Online member forum where FFI members share stories, get advice, and engage with the global fly fishing community.
• Conservation Programs Conservation initiatives including Basscatch, Cuttcatch, Whitlock-Vibert Box, and Monofilament Recycling projects, plus education and advocacy actions for protecting waters and fish habitats.
• Youth Education Programs Educational programs for youth including Kids Teaching Kids, Scouting America Merit, and Lewis & Clark Expedition designed to introduce young people to fly fishing.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ross ReelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFFI has partnered with Ross Reels for product promotion and brand collaboration, announced as news on the FFI website.
• Airlite RodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFFI has partnered with Airlite Rods for product promotion and brand collaboration, announced as news on the FFI website.
• Industry PartnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFFI's Industry Partner Program allows partner companies to provide discounted merchandise for grants and member benefits. Maximum $1,000 in discounted merchandise available through this program for youth tying programs.
• Conservation PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFI works with various conservation partners on environmental protection initiatives including Protect Bristol Bay, Save the Boundary Waters, Everglades Restoration, and other conservation actions.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Orvis Company: Heritage fly fishing brand and retailer with its own fly-fishing schools, endorsed guides program, and conservation giving — overlapping FFI's education, retail, and conservation roles but operating as a for-profit incumbent.

Direct peers

• Coastal Conservation Association: Marine-focused angling membership and advocacy nonprofit that mirrors FFI's combination of state chapters, conservation lobbying, and individual/business membership tiers.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater-fisheries conservation and membership organization that, like FFI, runs a member-supported model with local chapters, conservation advocacy, and education programs targeting fly anglers.
• Bonefish & Tarpon Trust: Saltwater fly fishing conservation nonprofit with membership support, research grants, and habitat advocacy — closely analogous to FFI's mission in a different fisheries vertical.
• American Fly Fishing Trade Association: Industry trade association serving fly fishing brands, manufacturers, and retailers with advocacy and education — directly comparable to FFI's Business Members, Guides & Outfitters Association, and Industry Partner Program functions.
• Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.): Largest bass-fishing membership organization in the U.S., running tournaments, conservation initiatives, and member publications — structurally similar to FFI in non-profit angling membership and chapter activation.
• Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: Nonpartisan conservation coalition that, like FFI, mobilizes anglers around public-lands, water, and habitat policy — sharing the advocacy-led, donor-supported operating model.

Emerging players

• Anglers for Clean Water: Conservation-oriented angling nonprofit promoting clean water and ethical angling practices — overlapping FFI's conservation education and responsible fishing practice programming.
• Wild Steelhead Coalition: Specialty nonprofit focused on wild steelhead and salmon conservation and education — a narrower analog to FFI's Steelhead and Salmon Issues conservation vertical with similar advocacy and member-driven model.

Regional players

• Anglers Trust (UK): UK-based representative body for recreational angling, providing membership, advocacy, and conservation services — a regional peer to FFI's global footprint with a comparable member-club operating model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flyfishersintl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/fedflyfishers/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlyFishersInternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyfishersinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flyfishers-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fly Fishers International