MATTHEW LEWIS, PhD

MATTHEW LEWIS, PhD, served as AL NFC’s inaugural Chair for over 3 years. He was responsible for NFC leap-frogging from the northeast to the deep south. Matt also helped change NFC from a coldwater centric organization to one that works on warmwater as well. He grew up in rural south Alabama hunting and fishing.  He is an avid fly fisher and outdoorsman.  Matthew obtained a degree in cell biology from Huntingdon College, and a master’s in fisheries and PhD in genetics from Auburn University.  He received the Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship award.  Matthew developed an affinity for redeye bass, or “Alabama brook trout” as they called due to the fact they are found in small streams and rarely grow larger than twelve inches.  He has written a number of articles, and is the author of the book, Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass: An Adventure Across Southern Waters.  Matthew co-founded a program in 2018 called Redeye Bass Slam, which challenges fly fishers to catch all seven species of redeye bass in a year to help draw attention to the fish.  He currently serves as NFC’s National Vice Chair - Southeast, and is also on AL NFC’s Advisory Council. Matthew can be reached at Info@NativeFishCoalition.org