279 Buckhead Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
The Fish Hawk is Atlanta's most storied fly fishing establishment and one of the iconic fly shops of the American Southeast, operating from its upscale Buckhead location since 1975 with a reputation for deep expertise and an inventory that caters to the serious angler rather than the casual browser. Founded by the late Bob Strickland, one of the Southeast's most respected fly fishers and fly fishing educators, the shop established from its earliest days a culture of genuine authority — guides who fish hard, staff who wade the same water they recommend, and an institutional knowledge of southeastern fisheries accumulated over fifty years of daily engagement with rivers from north Georgia to the Florida Keys. That legacy persists today in a shop that feels substantive rather than merely commercial.
The Fish Hawk's physical space in Buckhead is elegant and purposeful — fine bamboo rods share wall space with high-performance graphite, Sage and Winston blanks rest beside G. Loomis and Scott, and the fly bins are organized with taxonomic precision reflecting a deep understanding of southeastern hatch charts. The shop's geographic coverage is extraordinary: staff expertise encompasses north Georgia tailwaters (Toccoa, Chattahoochee below Buford Dam), the mountain streams of the North Georgia Blue Ridge, the wild trout water of western North Carolina, the Florida Keys bonefish and tarpon flats, and saltwater options along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts. Guided trip referrals cover this entire range. The Fish Hawk is the rare urban fly shop that earns genuine respect from rural guides and backcountry anglers — a testament to five decades of earned credibility.
“The Fish Hawk is a genuine institution and visiting it feels like that. The staff have a depth of knowledge about southeastern fishing that you simply cannot find anywhere else in the region — they cover everything from the Toccoa tailwater to the Keys permit flats with equal authority. I've been shopping here for 15 years and the expertise has only deepened. My Winston was fitted here, my Tibor was chosen here, and every significant piece of gear I own was bought with guidance from these people. Irreplaceable.”
“Walked in knowing very little about fly fishing and walked out completely equipped and genuinely excited. Staff member David spent over an hour with me without any pressure, helping me understand what I actually needed versus what was marketing. Set me up with an Orvis Clearwater outfit perfectly matched to my casting ability and the Chattahoochee tailwater where I planned to learn. Three months later I've caught more fish than I expected and I owe it entirely to starting with the right equipment and advice from this shop.”
“The finest fly shop in the Southeast, full stop. I've lived in Atlanta for 20 years and The Fish Hawk has been a constant. The rod selection alone is worth a visit — they carry bamboo and glass alongside the best production graphite, and staff can explain honestly which material suits your fishing and casting style. The Georgia tailwater knowledge is outstanding. If you need a guide referral for the Toccoa or the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam, these are the people to ask.”
