Tennessee on the Fly

MEET OUR OUR TEAM

Tennessee on the Fly is a fly fishing guiding business run in the heart of Middle Tennessee. James and Amy Johnsey launched in 2016 and pioneered full-time guiding well beyond the banks of the Caney Fork River, having built a lasting legacy that is being carried on by Drew Taylor.

Drew Taylor grew up fishing in the Georgia piedmont and began fly fishing in his mid teens for the local species.  A trip to Montana when he was 15 changed his destiny and after graduating college and spending a few years as a fisheries biologist, he took a chance and moved to the Rockies.  Drew spent 5 years guiding full time on many of Montana’s best rivers, and even spent a winter in Chile guiding fly fishing and whitewater rafting in the Patagonia.  He moved back east only to deepen his experience in the fly fishing industry and spent 8 years with the Orvis Company.  While there he opened stores in both Asheville and Nashville, where he continued to hone his customer service and fishing experience.  Eventually his spirit called him back to the water, and 2019 marks his first year back on the oars.  

Drew will work hard to get you on fish whether it be Striper, Smallmouth, Trout, Musky, or anything else that swims close by, and he will take the time to understand what you want out of a day on the water beyond catching fish. He wants you have a memorable day and will strive to make it as effortless as possible.  Novice and expert alike, he will be able to work with you and help you improve.  He loves sharing his knowledge and experience so inquisitiveness is welcome!  At the end of the day, he can’t get enough of watching fish eat a fly . . . 

Matt Payne is a Tennessee native who grew up chasing fish on any water he could access. He spent his early years pond hopping and treading through creeks and rivers developing a deep connection to our local waters. Trained as a Paramedic, Matt works full time as an Operations Director providing medical care to some of the countries largest music festivals. When not on the road, he dedicates as much time as he can to the water. With your safety at the forefront of his mind, Matt will ensure you have a great experience on the river. Whether you have never held a fly rod or have spent a lifetime chasing the thrill of a new personal best Matt will tailor your experience for a great day in the boat.

Eric grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, fishing for anything that would take a fly. From local creeks and rivers to tailwaters across Middle Tennessee, fishing has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. He attended Auburn University, where he graduated with a degree in History, before heading West to pursue a career as a fly fishing guide.

Eric has spent 11 seasons guiding in Idaho, primarily on the South Fork of the Snake River. Over that time, he has guided anglers of every skill level and developed an appreciation for just about every way there is to catch a fish on a fly rod.

While Idaho has played a huge role in his career as a guide, Tennessee has always been home. Eric now brings more than a decade of Western guiding experience back to the waters he grew up fishing. Whether chasing trout on a tailwater, smallmouth on a warmwater river, throwing streamers, fishing dries, or working a nymph rig, he enjoys adapting the day to the water, the fish, and the angler in his boat.

More than anything, Eric loves putting people on fish and sharing the rivers of Tennessee that first got him hooked on fly fishing.