Fly Shop, Chris Rich aid familial bonds through fishing

Chris Rich has built a fly-fishing shop in Phoenix around a simple idea: what starts as catching fish becomes learning, teaching, and family connection. Rich remembers his father taking him on trips into the mountains when he was a boy, and how his first solo catch left him captivated enough to fall asleep by the creek. That curiosity later grew into AZ Fly Shop, where Rich describes a progression from catching a fish to catching bigger fish, and finally teaching others. He offers newcomers a free boat trip on the water. Rich’s approach drew support from Troy Holtorf, a former GCU baseball player (2002–03) now with the Phoenix Fire Department, who said the sport can change people as fishermen, husbands, and fathers. The story frames fly fishing as a community bond shaped by fatherhood.