Pennsylvania Chapter

Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame


Live The Stream – The Story of Joe Humphreys

Live The Stream – The Story of Joe Humphreys

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Come Celebrate 95-Years-Young With Joe Humphreys!

Special Birthday Screening Of Live The Stream - The Story Of Joe Humphreys

Live The Stream is the award winning, inspiring life story of Pennsylvania’s fly fishing legend, Joe Humphreys: a man who was born to fly fish, lives to teach, and strives to pass on a respect for our local waters. A visually stunning film, anyone with a pulse can appreciate Joe’s contagious spirit and, at 86-years-young (when filming began), trout streams are his fountains of youth. This is an emotion-packed adventure and Joe will catch your heart in this powerful tale of tenacity, life and love

Joe Humphreys is a man with a wonderful family, a wealth of friends, and a resume of remarkable talents. He’s a multi-lettered collegiate athlete who easily could have chosen another career path but, instead, decided to devote his life to fly fishing. Joe’s traveled the world representing the U.S. in fly fishing competitions, has guided presidents & celebrities, held a Pennsylvania record, hosted an ESPN show, and was inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, yet Joe’s focus has always been on teaching, coaching, and passing on the joys of fly fishing to anyone who wants to learn.

His books have helped many students better their skills and his classroom work as a 19-year instructor of the renowned Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program at Penn State is just as esteemed. If you’re familiar with fly fishing you’ll recognize “Hump” on the street or on the stream but if you know nothing about angling, you’d think he was an average Joe. He’s an icon happily living his life in a local community but his impact on fly fisherman all over the world is profound. There’s no way to know how many people Joe has inspired. This man never slows down… even at over 90 years old and that’s impressive.

What drives him? Why does he love fly-fishing and what importance does he see in passing it on? This is the Joe Humphreys’ story of Live The Stream.

Joe Humphreys has attained national prominence as a expert fly-fisherman. He has been on television, has written books and continues to provide instruction all over the country. His fly fishing awards and honors are many and include: Member of the US Fly Fishing Team World Championships, Finland 13th place in 1989, Jackson Hole One Fly 6th place in1989, Michigan One Fly 1st place in 1991, Canadian One Fly 2nd place in 1993, and in the World Wide Open in Ireland in 1999, he placed 8th. Joe has been a fishing instructor to many, including former president Jimmy Carter, former Vice President Dick Cheney, basketball coaching legend Bobby Knight, and actor Liam Neeson. Joe began his athletic career in wrestling. He wrestled at State College High School and then in the US Navy. After serving his country, he wrestled (and also boxed) at Penn State. Joe coached Penns Valley High School to its first varsity win in 1957, then later coached Bald Eagle Area's first state champion, Lew Craig 165 lbs. in 1968. Joe is a member of the PWCA Hall of Fame and the Bald Eagle Area Wrestling Hall of Fame (1987). He also served at Penn State in 1970-72 as assistant to Bill Koll. For years, Joe and Fran Fisher were co-hosts and commentators for the PIAA Wrestling Championships which were held at the Penn State University. Joe lives in Boalsburg right along a stream and continues to fly fish and follow wrestling.

Joseph Humphreys is a nationally known fly fisherman, conservationist, author, and educator. He has been a fishing instructor to anyone who wants to learn the sport, including VIPs, for over 45 years. Joe has traveled the world representing the U.S. in fly fishing competitions, has guided presidents & celebrities, held the Pennsylvania state record, hosted the first national fly fishing show on ESPN, and was inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame.

Joe is also a published author of numerous books and articles on the sport of fly fishing, including: Trout Tactics, Trout Tactics Revised, and On the Trout Stream. In addition to these major and well-respected works, he is a regular contributor to regional and national journals and periodicals. Along with his writing, he has also produced and starred in several highly successful videos including, “A Casting Approach to Nymphing Tactics”, “A Casting Approach to Dryfly Tactics in the Brush”, “A Casting Approach to Flyfishing to Catch Fish, Not Just to Cast”, “The Dryfly and the Top Water Game”, and the Telly Award winner for Best Video, “The Night Game”.

As one of the foremost educators in angling, Joe Humphreys directed the renowned angling program at the Pennsylvania State University for nineteen years, providing introductions and foundations to young and old for a life-long enjoyment of the sport. He has lectured throughout the United States enhancing the reputation of Pennsylvania fishing.

Joe’s passions also include working with local and national organizations to improve stream quality. He’s proud that his students have become the advocacy base to sustain Pennsylvania waters and believes that teaching youth to fly fish, including the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team, is pertinent for further protection of and respect for the environment.

Joe also dedicates his time to honoring our Veterans through his support of Project Healing Waters and strongly believes in the healing properties of streams.

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations