Community Member Spotlight
Arthur Greenway
This month, we are proud to shine the AZ Fly Shop Community Spotlight on Arthur Greenway — a true pillar of the Arizona fly fishing community. Arthur is a retired school principal whose lifelong commitment to education and service continues to ripple through the waters of our local fly fishing scene. His presence is calm and steady, much like a well-placed cast, and his contributions have left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the future of fly fishing in Arizona.
Arthur serves on the board of Arizona Trout Unlimited, where his leadership, passion, and strategic insight have helped move countless conservation initiatives forward. From habitat restoration efforts to advocating for coldwater fisheries, Arthur is a driving force behind many of the successes Trout Unlimited has seen in recent years. His dedication is rooted in a deep love for Arizona’s waterways and a strong belief in preserving them for future generations.
One of Arthur’s greatest passions is the Youth Fly Fishing Camp that takes place every summer — a program he champions with unmatched enthusiasm. His belief in the transformative power of fly fishing for young people is evident in everything he does, from mentoring campers to organizing logistics behind the scenes. Thanks to his tireless support, hundreds of kids have had their first introduction to fly fishing, conservation, and the outdoors in a welcoming and inspiring environment.
Arthur Greenway embodies everything the AZ Fly Shop community values: leadership, service, conservation, and a genuine love for the sport. We are honored to recognize him this month, and we thank him for the incredible impact he continues to have on the Arizona fly fishing community.
-Chris Rich
About Arthur Greenway
On the banks of Michigan’s Au Sable River, a young Arthur Greenway stood beside his father, rod in hand, as the water moved gently over rocks worn smooth by time. His father called it the “Holy Waters”—a name that carried reverence, memory, and tradition. It was here, surrounded by forest and the quiet rhythm of casting and waiting, that Arthur first fell in love with fly fishing. What began as a shared pastime with his dad would become a lifelong practice of connection, reflection, and joy.
Today, Arthur has been fly fishing for over 30 years. But he doesn’t talk about the number of fish caught or the size of the biggest one. For him, fly fishing has always been about something deeper. It’s a way to stay grounded in the natural world, to feel connected to the water, the wildlife, and the subtle beauty that surrounds every good day on the river.
Arthur calls it “mini-doses of hope”—each cast a fresh possibility, each ripple a reminder that something might happen. That quiet, persistent hope, felt hundreds or even thousands of times in a single day on the water, keeps him coming back. It’s not just about catching fish—it’s about being there. And more than anything, it’s about sharing it.
As a former educator, Arthur naturally sees fly fishing as an experience to be passed down. He lights up when he talks about watching someone else get excited on the water—whether it’s a friend, a grandchild, or even a stranger asking for tips on the riverbank. “If you’ve gotten anywhere in this sport,” he says, “you’ve likely had a mentor. The best thing you can do is become one for someone else.”
That same spirit is what drew Arthur to AZ Fly Shop. He sees the shop as more than a place to buy gear—it’s a hub for community, a space where people gather to share stories, learn, and lift each other up. He appreciates how the shop embraces everyone, from beginners to seasoned anglers, and how it actively supports youth programs, local conservation efforts, and partnerships with organizations like AZTU and AGFD.
For Arthur, being part of this community means being part of something alive and growing. And in every way, he’s contributed to that growth—not just through years of experience, but through kindness, mentorship, and a passion that’s deeply contagious.
“Fly fishing gives people hope,” he says. “And hope changes lives.”
That’s the kind of legacy Arthur Greenway is leaving behind—not just as a fisherman, but as a man who understands that the greatest catch is the connection we build along the way.
