Community Member Spotlight
George Rino
This month, we’re excited to highlight someone who may be newer to the AZ Fly Shop community — but you’d never know it by the way he shows up.
George Rino has been part of our community for just the past couple of years, yet in that short time he’s jumped in with both feet. What stands out most about George isn’t just his love of fly fishing — it’s his appreciation for the art of it.
He’s genuinely curious.
He wants to learn.
He asks thoughtful questions.
And he brings an enthusiasm that’s contagious.
George understands that fly fishing is about more than fish. It’s about craftsmanship, patience, time on the water, and the shared experiences that come with it. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t just want to participate — he wants to contribute.
That mindset matters.
Communities don’t grow because of how long someone has been around. They grow because people care. And George cares — about the craft, about the conversations, and about being part of something meaningful.
We’re grateful for the energy he’s brought over the last couple of years and excited to watch his journey continue to unfold on the water and within our community.
George, thanks for leaning in. We’re glad you’re here.
-Chris Rich, AZ Fly Shop Founder
About George Rino
Some anglers find fly fishing later in life. For George Rino, it’s been woven into his story since childhood.
Growing up in Louisiana, George has been fly fishing since he was a kid. What started as time on the water has turned into a lifelong love affair with wild places, moving water, and the quiet rhythm of casting a line. For George, fly fishing isn’t just about the fish—it’s about the setting. As he puts it, he loves that no matter where you fly fish, you’re always surrounded by a gorgeous environment.
This past year brought one of his most memorable moments yet. For his birthday, George and his wife traveled to Patagonia for what he calls the trip of a lifetime. Sharing that experience together—wading rivers framed by towering peaks, casting into crystal-clear water—reminded him why he fell in love with the sport in the first place. Fly fishing has a way of marking milestones, and this one will live with him forever.
When asked what AZ Fly Shop means to him, George didn’t hesitate. He calls it “hands-down, the best fly fishing shop I’ve ever encountered.” He even brought a friend in from Texas for the carp tournament—an angler who’s fished all over—and that friend declared it the best shop he’d ever seen. For George, though, it’s not just the gear or the inventory that sets AZ Fly Shop apart. It’s the people. He says it simply: the people make the difference here—the friendliest, most accommodating people you’ll ever meet, and before long, they become your friends.
And if George could leave the community with one piece of advice, it would be this:
“Go fish. Doesn’t matter where, doesn’t matter when, doesn’t matter who you’re with—go fish.”
That spirit captures exactly what makes George such a valued part of the AZ Fly Shop community. He shows up. He brings friends. He celebrates the experience. And he reminds us that at the end of the day, it’s about getting outside, connecting with the water, and sharing it with people you care about.
George, we’re grateful for your energy, your loyalty, and the way you embody what this community is all about. Here’s to many more rivers, milestones, and memories ahead. 🎣
