Growing up in Southwest Virginia, Erik Ashlin's journey with fishing began at the tender age of 3. Over the years, he has mastered every facet of fly fishing for trout and steelhead. With two decades of experience under his belt, he generously imparts his expertise to others, passing on the skills and knowledge that have been his lifelong pursuit.

Currently residing in North Georgia, Erik is the proud Eastern Fly Fishing Club owner. This esteemed establishment offers access to over 5 miles of pristine rivers teeming with trophy trout. Beyond this, he orchestrates excursions from New York to Florida, catering to diverse angling experiences encompassing trout, steelhead, smallmouth bass, muskie, tarpon, and redfish.

Throughout his journey, Erik has been fortunate to receive mentorship from two legendary figures in fly fishing, Lefty Kreh and Jon Cave. Their guidance has profoundly shaped his approach and technique. Drawing from the wisdom of these great casters and fly fishing luminaries, Erik has become a prominent figure in the Southeast, with one of the region's premier casting schools. His teaching has extended to guide training as well.

Erik's foray into fly tying commenced at 12, evolving into a significant part of his identity. He is particularly renowned for his innovative hellgrammite pattern, aptly named the "Ashlin's Hell-Raiser." This pattern is a testament to his creativity and skill in crafting flies that capture the essence of effective bait imitations.