Meet Chris Johnson | Owner of Living Waters Fly Fishing

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The three foundational pillars of our business are: Community, Conservation, and Education.

Community: Our fly shop provides a place for people from all walks of life to center around a common interest. As Friendships within our customer base are a natural byproduct and those lasting friendships have a very positive impact on the sport overall.

Conservation: Living Waters Fly Fishing dedicates a large amount of time, effort, as well as funding to better fisheries locally and abroad. The shop is often involved in water quality battles, fish species restoration, and hosts trash removal events on Brushy Creek in Round Rock, TX.

Education: One of the most daunting things about fly fishing is learning how to do it properly. Living Waters provides free education at the shop location and does so on a weekly basis. Whether fly tying or fly fishing is the primary interest, the shop offers free educational events for both.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started working as a cashier at a “big box” fishing and hunting outfitter when I was in high school. The position was by no means my dream or goal, but it was the only position that the retailer had open at the time. After just two short months, I was moved to the fishing department. While there, I learned the basics of merchandising, customer service, and inventory management. I also met a number of factory sales representatives in the fishing industry. Some of which I still work with through Living Waters Fly Fishing!

I also became painfully aware of corporate mismanagement and even in my teens I began to think of ways to improve upon it, in the event that I ever opened a store of my own.

To make a very long story shorter, I began guiding fly fishing at 19 and I left that “big box” store when I was 21 to open Living Waters Fly Fishing. The shop had very humble beginnings and community growth was my primary focus when I opened the doors in 2008. Oddly enough, the large store I had been employed at previously, closed it’s doors due to bankruptcy a few months after I departed. Living Waters Fly Fishing grew steadily year over year and now, the shop is an epicenter for fly fishing the Texas Hill Country.

There are too many lessons learned to list here but if I had to narrow it down it would be this: “Lovers will always work harder than workers!” Pursue your passion. I have never hated my job and as a result, I pour my heart and soul into what I do. I know too many people that are simply “living the American Dream” and from the outside looking in, it looks very unfulfilling.

I have heard the saying, “Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life.” I have found that statement to be false. Instead, it should be written something like this: “If you pursue your passion, you will work harder than you can imagine; however, you will wake up every morning thankful and fulfilled.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Round Rock, Texas has a very rich history and no trip to my hometown is complete without a visit to Brushy Creek to see the actual “Round Rock” that was used as a landmark on the Chisholm Trail. The limestone creek bed still bears the scars of the wagon tracks! Obviously, I would encourage you to sample the fly fishing as well!

As for eateries, there are so many great ones to visit while here. Now, following is merely my opinion, but I have eaten my way through this city quite a few times in nearly three decades.

Round Rock Donuts (Lone Star Bakery) – The only thing that Round Rock is actually famous for! Get the original glazed and order them (you will need at least 2-3 per person) EXTRA hot! Lifechanging.

La Margarita – A local Mexican food restaurant that honestly has the best beef fajitas I’ve ever eaten.

Recuerdos – Small downtown eatery that is home to Round Rock’s best enchiladas. Sweet people, great food!

Pho Hoang – An incredible and very authentic Vietnamese restaurant that boasts the best pho in town. The vermicelli bowls are not to be missed and the egg rolls are must!

Hoody’s Subs – Round Rock staple and crowd favorite. Best Philly in town and a great place for locals to feel a bit nostalgic!

Teji’s – Incredible Indian eatery. All spices are imported and all the menu items are personal family recipes. Lamb Korma, Tikka Masala, Dum Aloo…. the list of great menu items is very, very long.

There are so many others, but that could be it’s own article…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It may not fit within the guidelines of the article, but I honestly cannot attribute any of my success to any one thing apart from Jesus Christ. My faith in Him has guided me through the darkest of storms and has kept me humble through great success. Quite simply, without Him, my business would not exist.

My wife Emily – She is my biggest cheerleader and without her love and encouragement, I am positive that I would have burn out a long time ago. She also blesses me beyond measure by making sure that our kids are raised in the outdoors through gardening, fishing, and exploration.

My family – My parents saw my passion for the sport at an early age. They believed in me, encouraged me, and supported my choice to make fly fishing my career.

Living Waters’ Staff – A ship is nothing without a great crew and we have the best!

Website: www.livingwatersflyfishing.com

Instagram: @livingwatersflyfishing

Facebook: facebook.com/livingwatersflyfishing