Meet the Blue Quill Team
Zac Johnson
Fly Fishing Guide
A Colorado native raised in Montrose, Zac Johnson has been drawn to fly fishing since his first trout ate a Royal Wulff on Cedar Creek when he was 11. Today, he brings that lifelong enthusiasm, broad knowledge of Colorado waters, and an attentive teaching style to every guided day.
About Zac
Zac grew up fishing with his father and grandfather during school breaks and weekends. Together, they explored the Dolores, Uncompahgre, Cimarron, and Gunnison rivers, along with the ponds at Chipeta and Paco-chu-puk. Those formative days helped turn an early fascination into a lasting connection with Colorado's rivers and trout.
At 16, Zac moved to Arizona and adapted by pursuing bass on the fly around local golf courses. After high school, however, Colorado's trout water drew him home. He soon became deeply familiar with the South Platte, particularly Cheesman Canyon and the Deckers stretch.
At The Blue Quill
The South Platte is Zac's home water, but his experience also extends to the Colorado, Williams Fork, and Blue rivers. He brings local knowledge, enthusiasm, and careful observation to every trip, adapting the day to current conditions and each guest's experience level.
Whether helping a newer angler connect the pieces or working through the subtleties of a technical presentation, Zac keeps the experience approachable and engaging. His goal is a productive day that also leaves guests more confident in their own decisions on the water.
Colorado-Grown Experience
Zac's experience was shaped by an unusually varied collection of Western Colorado fisheries. Moving between creeks, freestone rivers, tailwaters, ponds, and reservoirs taught him to observe how trout respond to changing water, food, structure, and presentation.
That curiosity continues to drive his guiding. Zac enjoys breaking down a new piece of water, recognizing the small clues that matter, and sharing those discoveries with the anglers beside him.
Home on the South Platte
Cheesman Canyon and Deckers became Zac's revolving door after he returned to Colorado. Time spent on these demanding reaches helped sharpen his eye for holding water, feeding behavior, fly choice, and precise presentation—the same practical details he now shares with Blue Quill guests.
Beyond Guiding
If Zac is not guiding—or working as a cheesemonger—he is usually still close to the water. You may find him fishing a river or reservoir somewhere in the South Platte system or dissecting an unfamiliar river to understand how it works. For Zac, time off the clock is often simply another opportunity to fish.
Colorado water shaped Zac's passion for fly fishing. Now he shares that experience one cast, one trout,
and one memorable day at a time.