Just last month, three standout alumni from the TU Costa 5 Rivers program—Joseph Berney, Matteo Moretti and Heather Harkavy—found themselves together on a fishing trip in Costa Rica. What started as a shared love of fly fishing turned into an unexpected reunion of 5 Rivers leaders who are now shaping the industry in their own unique ways.
We caught up with each of them to hear about where life has taken them (beyond Costa Rica for a Columbia PFG photo shoot), how 5 Rivers helped them get there and what advice they have for current students making their own way.
Joseph Berney
University of Georgia, 2021
What are you currently doing for work in the fly fishing industry?
I am the social and influencer manager for Columbia PFG. My day-to-day job is managing the PFG social channels as well as our relationships with influencers and creators in the fishing space. I am so lucky to work with an incredible team at Columbia, who are all passionate about what we do which makes the job super fun.
How has 5 Rivers impacted you and helped get you to where you are today?
I was lucky enough to work as a 5 Rivers communications intern my senior year at UGA. When I did this, I was able to start the Emerging podcast, giving me super valuable connections, which ultimately got my foot in the door in the fishing industry. On top of that, I met my two best friends through the 5 Rivers Club at UGA. Those are two guys I lean on every day and will be friends with for the rest of my life.
What advice do you have for current 5 Rivers students?
My advice to current 5 Rivers students is to get involved in things you are passionate about and put yourself in situations where you have an opportunity to learn from people better than you. Not one job interviewer asked about my GPA in college, but I have had plenty of questions about experiences I had and what I took away from those opportunities. Never stop learning, no matter what field you work in or hobbies you enjoy.
Heather Harkavy
Florida State University, 2017
What are you currently doing for work in the fly fishing industry
I currently run a nonprofit called Fish for Change. We take high school and college students on international fly fishing trips. Programs are built to create global citizens through conservation stewardship and cultural exchange. I helped found the nonprofit out of college and it has been my passion project and greatest joy.
How has 5 Rivers impacted you and helped get you to where you are today?
So much of navigating this space comes back to networking and showing up with intention. 5 Rivers helped establish my base network in fly fishing. Founding the FSU club was my first experience with leadership and creating community—something my career has been built from ever since.
What advice do you have for current 5 Rivers students?
Recognize its waaaaay more than just fly fishing. Work harder than everyone else and you’ll make it. Follow through with what you say you’re going to do. Community is everything. Connect with people and stay in touch.
Matteo Moretti
Middlebury College, 2020
What are you currently doing for work in the fly fishing industry?
As a freelance cinematographer and filmmaker, I have the flexibility to work across a wide range of projects and fly fishing continues to be a major part of my portfolio. I’ve worked on campaigns for Columbia PFG, collaborated with Flylords and filmed documentaries for Trout Unlimited. Getting to tell stories within the fly fishing world, both at home and abroad, remains one of my favorite parts of doing what I love for a living.
How has 5 Rivers impacted you and helped get you to where you are today?
When you’re starting out as a filmmaker or creator, one of the most important things you can have is a portfolio that says, “This is what I can do.” Being part of the 5 Rivers program at Middlebury College gave me that opportunity. Through the 5 Rivers Odyssey in the summer of 2019, I traveled through the Pacific Northwest with three other college members and documented the journey in a short film I produced from start to finish. It pushed me to grow—both in storytelling and technical skills—and ultimately became a launching pad for my career. That project helped me land my first job in the film world, and it’s still one of the most meaningful things I’ve worked on.
What advice do you have for current 5 Rivers students?
This might sound cheesy, but it’s true: push yourself to pursue what you love. That doesn’t mean you have to make fly fishing or conservation your full-time job—but it does mean keeping that passion alive in your life. After graduating, there were stretches where I wasn’t filming fly fishing projects—or even fishing much at all. But I stayed connected by supporting my local TU chapter, speaking out on issues like Pebble Mine or teaching someone how to fly fish for the first time. There’s a lot of pressure to “follow your dreams” and turn your passion into a career. But it’s okay if it doesn’t look like that. What matters most is that you keep showing up for what you care about, in whatever way you can.
Are you a 5 Rivers alumni? We’d love to hear from you! Shoot the current program manager an email at clifford.watson@tu.org and follow along for updates on Instagram.