Jake was born and raised on the East Coast where he grew up fly fishing the technically challenging rivers, lakes, and streams of the Adirondacks, the Pine Barrens, the Pocono and Catskill Mountains, New England, and all points from Maine to Florida.
Jake's passion for fly fishing led him west to study at Western Rivers Guide School, run by WorldCast Anglers in Victor, Idaho. Upon completion, he was first given the opportunity to work in their pro shop, then honored with the privilege of guiding for them during the summers.
Jake then moved to Arkansas to attend college in 2019. Jake was blown away with the amount of fishing opportunities available to him in the area. He has been guiding here in Arkansas since. Jake has mastered fly fishing for trophy smallmouth bass and carp in Arkansas' freestone rivers. If you want a seasoned, professional and fun guide, Jake is your guide.
Cole Johnson, born and rasied in Southlake, Texas, grew up learning about the outdoors and flyfishing before he can remember. As a kid Cole spent his free time finding local ponds and fish to satisfy his fly fishing itch.
Coming from a fly fishing family, Cole was able to fish, and explore some of North America’s premier trout waters as an angler. Cole spent the majority of his time in Colorado each summer, learning everything he could about trout and western rivers.
After chasing the fly fishing thrill from locations such as Belize and Montana, Cole realized his true passion. Cole now spends his summer seasons working for WorldCast Anglers. For the remainder of his year, he is a student at the University of Arkansas and the COO of JFLY. Cole has a true passion for fly fishing in Arkansas and believes that it is one of the most uniquely beautiful and natural places you can sling a fly.
A Midwestern forged fly angler who ventured to the Ozarks from the Great Lakes region after graduating from Michigan State for new employment and incredible angling opportunities. Ethan is immersed in all facets of fly fishing; especially coaching enthusiastic anglers to understand the science and art of fly fishing’s intricacies.
His love for fishing began as a little guy using conventional tackle in Illinois ponds for Sunfish and Bass. On a summer vacation in Northern Michigan his fascination with moving water and Trout emerged. He decided to reside in the state for college to play lacrosse and target Steelhead, Brown Trout and Salmonoids in it’s fabled cold water streams rather than attending his least favorite classes. Ethan casted his first fly fall of freshman year and hasn’t looked back since.
Smallmouth Bass became his forte when trout water was a great distance away. Whether in the prairie of Illinois or deep in the dense forests of “The Mitten”, he quickly learned the tendencies of these accessible fighters. He was drawn to Arkansas’s pristine environment for these prize fish in remote freestone streams and also to tangle with world famous White River Brown Trout.
Book a trip with Ethan and you’re bound to learn something new and stick some fish along the way.
Our guides look forward to taking you out on the water for the trip of a lifetime. Contact us today to learn more.