ALAMOSA — San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited is proud to have Chris Johnson, owner and founder of Living Waters Fly Fishing, presenting a program at their Tuesday, September 25th meeting at 7 p.m. in the Mt. Blanca Room at the SLV Health Education and Conference Center, 1921 Main Street in Alamosa.

Chris is the owner and founder of Living Waters Fly Fishing, a fly shop and guide service based out of Round Rock, Texas.  He has guided the Texas Hill Country for over a decade, and has fly fished the heart of the state for 20 years.  Chris has been a licensed guide in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska. Chris is a FFI Certified Casting Instructor, Umpqua Signature Fly Designer, Tenkara USA Guide, and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Angler Educator. He is also part of Whiting Farms, Scott Fly Rods, and Scientific Anglers pro team. Chris is dedicated to sharing his passion for the sport and investing in the next generation of fly anglers. He often is a featured presenter and fly tier at fly fishing, outdoor, conservation, and community events.

Chris and his shop have also been featured in several outdoor publications including Trout magazine, Garden and Gun, San Juan Mountains Journal, and Tenkara Magazine. He was also awarded the 2014 Man of the Year from the FFI Texas Council and in the same year, Living Waters was the recipient of the FFI’s prestigious Lee Wulff Award.

In addition to fly fishing, Chris is passionate about film and photography.  He co-produced the short film “Unspoken,” in an effort to raise awareness for Rio Grande Cutthroat trout conservation.  As a result, Living Waters is working with Trout Unlimited as a Gold Level endorsed TU Business to restore Rio Grande Cutthroat throughout their native range.

Chris is happily married to his wife Emily and together they enjoy running the fly shop, fly fishing the world, and raising their daughter Lydia in the sport.

Please join us to listen to Chris present his program “Southwest Treasure: The Rio Grande Cutthroat.”

The Rio Grande Cutthroat is the southernmost native trout species in the United States and it is cherished by high country fly anglers. A current resident to New Mexico and Colorado, the Rio Grande Cutthroat is a fish that has suffered much at the hands of man. However, there are many today who are dedicated to reversing past wrongdoings. Chris Johnson is one such individual. In his presentation he will discuss the Rio Grande Cutthroat’s history, distribution, current status, as well as conservation efforts benefitting the species. In addition, he will also cover local angling opportunities and tell a few stories about the making of Unspoken – a film dedicated to Rio Grande Cutthroat awareness and conservation!

For more information contact 719-378-2751.

As always the meeting is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided and a prize drawing will be held at the end of the meeting.

Trout Unlimited is dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and restoration of North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

Caption: Living Waters Fly Fishing founder Chris Johnson will present “Southwest Treasure: The Rio Grande Cutthroat” during the San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited meeting on September 25./Photo courtesy of Chris Johnson