- Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
- Home waters: White River
- Years of fly-fishing experience: 4
- Preferred Species: Anything with Fins
- Preferred method of fly fishing: Topwater
- Pet Peeves: The lack of ownership of outfitters by native people in Caribbean and African nations.
- Issues with fly-fishing community: The lack of diversity in the industry, especially in the marketing of products.
- Desired directions for the fly-fishing industry: My vision is that all aspects or all key stakeholders within the fly-fishing community reflect society.
Albert “Al” White currently resides in Carmel, Indiana, but his roots trace back to Dover, Delaware. He was raised in a family where higher education was a given, college or the military were the only options, and Al chose college.
At around eight years old, his parents divorced. He primarily lived with his mother, a dedicated middle school teacher. During much of Al’s adolescence and teen years, his father was in and out of incarceration—a reality that left a lasting impact. Thankfully, his mother’s circle included educators and other professionals who became positive role models. Despite their influence, Al faced challenges in his youth, including legal trouble. Still, with the support of friends and family, he found his footing and began building a life full of growth and opportunity.
Fishing wasn’t a big part of Al’s childhood, though he did have a few memorable outings. His interest in the sport truly began during his early career as an agricultural chemical sales rep. He’d take clients on fishing trips for hybrid striped bass, and it sparked something in him. Later, family vacations to Florida added to his growing passion, as he experienced the thrill of offshore fishing for various species.
About a decade ago, following a divorce, a friend suggested he try bass fishing as a new hobby. Al initially brushed it off, thinking bass fishing was more for people in rural areas. But curiosity won out, and he eventually walked out of Dick’s Sporting Goods with a spincast rod and reel. That was the beginning of his deep dive into the sport. He began exploring every local pond he could find and booked a guided smallmouth bass trip with Chad Miller. After hooking his first smallmouth, Al was hooked for life.
Chad, a fly-fishing guide, predicted early on that Al would one day take up the fly rod. In 2020, Al gave it a try, purchasing a basic fly rod and reel setup. For a while, he alternated between traditional gear and fly fishing. Chad encouraged him to fully commit if he wanted to improve. By 2022, Al took that advice to heart, dedicating himself to fly fishing—starting with largemouth in ponds and later wading rivers in search of smallmouth. Since then, fly fishing has become a defining part of his life.
Al is passionate about the fly-fishing community, though he notes there’s still room for more diversity and inclusion. He’s been fortunate to fish in incredible locations including Montana, Wyoming, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Florida, Michigan, Texas, the Bahamas, and South Africa. Upcoming adventures include Belize and several U.S. destinations in 2025, with plans to fish in Ecuador in 2026.
Al credits fly fishing with improving his quality of life and hopes to introduce more people to the sport, especially those who might not see themselves represented in it. His goal is to share the joy and personal growth that fly fishing has brought him, in the hopes it can do the same for others.
