It’s my distinct pleasure to present the first of two People of Fly Fishing interviews with Capt. Jeff Johnson of Fly Fish Rockport, in (of course) Rockport, Texas.
Rockport has been a fishing hotspot in my family for over five decades, growing up hearing my coastal fishing grandfather and parents speak of it in hallowed tones, and taking my own family there over the past two decades. Rockport was hit hard by Harvey last fall, but has been bouncing back nicely, and chasing redfish on the fly has in fact been damned productive since the storm.
This is a little bit different story than we usually tell here on Chi Wulff, and will very likely put the Texas Coast on your bucket list if not already there. All images by Capt. Jeff by the way.
Please tell us a bit about your fly fishing bona fides – what were your first exposures to fly fishing and what was your path to full time guiding on the Texas coast?
I was born and raised on the banks of a blue ribbon trout stream in Washington State. So fishing was a huge interest of mine from day one, even if my family really weren’t fishermen. My first exposure to a fly rod was very young, maybe 8 or 9 years old, in a small pond. One trout later and it was on.
As years went on I continued to fish when I could, while balancing a love for snowboarding as well. Both passions moved me to Bozeman, MT for college where I really began to fish a ton. I spent a couple full seasons up on the Missouri River in Montana, dropping out of college in order not to miss any of the fishing seasons. That is where I really learned a ton about fish, fishing and the industry.
Throughout my college career, and beyond, I was making my living as a pro snowboarder. Something I did for almost 15 years. So while this did keep me from full-fledged trout bumming, it didn’t keep me from fishing. Instead, I would pack a fly rod with me while traveling the globe in search of good snow. This allowed me to fish in Russia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and pretty much everywhere else you could think of. And of course mixed in were trips to warmer saltier destinations as well.
After the snowboard career ended, I dabbled with the suite and tie. Fortunately, I was back on the West Coast where I could swing flies for steelhead every chance I got. Or maybe take advantage of those corporate dollars to take trips to Belize, Bahamas and other places.
Luckily, the suit and tie gig didn’t last long and I found myself back on the Missouri River in Montana guiding. Shortly thereafter, I realized how terrible it is being cold all winter. So I began migrating South during the snowy months in Montana. The Keys were fun for a bit, but I couldn’t see living there long term.
Rockport had always been my favorite redfishing I had experienced. So I had the opportunity to go back and stay for a few months. It quickly became where I needed to be from then on. The next year, I spent 6 months in Rockport and started my business. Each year I would stay longer and longer. Now, it is home and I couldn’t be happier.
Please tell us a bit about Fly Fish Rockport?
Fly Fish Rockport is my guide business for the Southwest Texas Coast. Rockport, Texas is home and our home base of operation. Aside from myself, I employ two full time guides and a third part-time currently.
All of us guide the waters of the Texas Coast from Matagorda Bay and Port O’Connor down to the Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay. Rockport is conveniently located right in the middle.
We offer private lodging, dining and accommodations for up to 18 anglers and guests. We have shuttle services from the Corpus Christi Airport (30 minutes away), or are located 2 hours from Houston, 3 hours from Austin and 2.5 hours from San Antonio.
All of our guides operate out of full size skiffs as well as micro skiffs, depending on the day and situation. We also have a number of kayaks available for guests looking to do that as well. During the Fall/Winter months, many people do enjoy the duck hunting Rockport has to offer. So we do offer cast and blast trips for folks as well.
But fly fishing is our passion and the reason we live where we live. Rockport, Texas has crystal clear water and plenty of redfish to cast at. The perfect place to be.
Whenever we talk with friends about our love for Rockport, they first thing they ask us is how is the town faring after the devastating hit by Hurricane Harvey last fall; how did storm impact you and your business personally?
Personally, myself and my guides were very lucky. Yes there was some damage to deal with, unfortunately. One of our guides lost his home entirely, but is already on the rebound. But overall, I was very lucky. All of the properties and boats owned survived and were mostly unharmed.
Certainly, as a business, we took a significant hit. And continue to do so. Immediately after the storm, I canceled all of our trips for the month of September. At that time, fishing just didn’t seem that important. That was a time to help our friends and neighbors in the community.
As of October 1st, we opened back up for business and began taking guests out on the water again. The fishing was very, very good following the storm. But we still had a lot of people canceling in the wake of the devastation, as you might expect. There was still a ton of uncertainty about the area, the fishing and what was to come.
The storm definitely set the business back. But again, at times like that, fishing just doesn’t seem that important. So I am thankful for what we have and that everyone is ok. At the end of the day, that is what is important and what we will remember following the storm.
From your perspective, how has the community been dealing with the recovery?
The coastal community has been amazing. Throughout a bunch of adversity, people have continued on and worked hard to get things back to normal. It was really great getting to know our neighbors better and help them in times of need. These events were incredibly tough on everyone, but brought the community together at the same time.
There is still a ton of work to be done. And it may take many years before things feel like they are finally done. But folks here are tough as hell and will continue to work. Things will be repaired, rebuilt and created new. The town will come back stronger than ever.
What do you consider your prime regional water and what about it keeps you coming back time after time?
While myself and my guides fish more than 100 miles of Texas coastline, Rockport is home. The waters surrounding Rockport, Texas are amazing. We are blessed with crystal clear water every day of the year. This is one of the things that appealed most to me when visiting Rockport for the first time. Our water is absolutely amazing.
In addition to the water, the redfishing in Rockport is fairly technical and sometimes just damn hard. This is another thing that really appealed to me. I love the fact that our fish are very spooky. Or that they will run if you false cast anywhere near them. It makes the fishery a lot of fun
Clear water and lots of big spooky fish??? Yup, sign me up.
Part Two of Capt. Johnson’s interview follows tomorrow.
