Kolby Johnson’s relationship with fly fishing started early. At 11 years old, on a family trip to Bennett Springs, Missouri, the men in his family gathered around him on the river and passed on their generational fishing skills.
Before he could finish high school, Kolby had already set his signs on the United States Marine Corps. He entered as an infantryman and rifleman, stationed in the dry mountains of southern California, a long way from any trout water. But whenever he could get out, he was blue-lining the steams of SoCal, chasing fish in whatever trickle he could find. Old habits do not die easy.
After his service ended, he tried a few different jobs: warehouse work, dump truck driving, heavy machinery mechanics. Good honest work, but none of it was the river. So every weekend, without fail, he was loading up and making the drive from Kansas City, down to Cotter, Arkansas, to fish the White River. Nearly two years of knowing exactly what he was supposed to be doing.
Then he stopped waiting. He made the move, chased his dream of guiding the White River full-time, and has not looked back. Now he is here, fully immersed in the Ozarks, hand-tying flies, running boats, and doing whatever it takes to get his clients on fish. His relentless pursuit is the same thing that got him through the Corps, the same thing that kept him on the road every weekend, and the same thing he brings to every single guide trip.
His goal is not to run a guide service, it is to make friends, and have an enjoyable and memorable day on the water.
We look forward to fishing with you!!
Sincerely, Kolby Johnson
