Danny Medlin of Benson, North Carolina.

Danny was a long-time supporter and dear friend of the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival and of our partner Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (PHWFF).

Danny and his family has owned the Medlin and Dorman Ace Hardware store in Benson, NC for generations. The next generation of the Medlin family, Danny’s son Grimes, has taken the reins at the store.

Danny grew up fishing the coastal waters of North Carolina. He started fly fishing at an early age, and became an avid saltwater angler over 30 years ago. He fished all over the world, from the Bahamas to Cuba to the Florida Keys, but the Crystal Coast of North Carolina always held a special place for him. That was especially true during the fall around Cape Lookout during False Albacore season. 

So in 2014 when the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival was brought back to Atlantic Beach, he wanted to be involved. As a result, Medlin and Dorman Ace Hardware was one of the festival’s first sponsors. Danny also volunteered himself, donating his boat, time and fuel to take two PHW Participants fly fishing for his beloved Albies. Both Danny and Medlin and Dorman Ace Hardware have continued every year since. When COVID prevented the festival from occurring, Danny invited Veterans to fish on his own. 

Medlin and Dorman Ace Hardware and Danny Medlin have helped take PHW Participants from all across North Carolina and as far away as Alaska and Montana go fly fishing for Albies, and have helped raised money for the NC Region for a decade. While our thanks here will never fully encompass our gratitude, thank you Danny!