Sage Johnson
Sage Johnson hails from Livingston, Montana—one of the world’s great fishing towns. Growing up, however, her passion was basketball. Fly fishing came later. After college, Sage tagged along on a photo shoot at a lodge in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Two days later, she had talked her way into a job as a camp hand and stayed for the summer. The following season, she worked her way into guiding. She’s been a full-time fly fishing guide for nearly a decade. Today, Sage and her husband James own and operate Katmai Trophy Lodge on the Naknek River, putting clients on salmon and giant trout all summer, and hosting saltwater trips in the winter.
Sage brings the same drive and enthusiasm to the water that once propelled her to excellence as an elite college athlete. She works hard, fishes hard, and plays hard—but isn’t afraid of a good laugh, especially at herself. When she’s driving clients upriver in the jet boat each morning, there’s a good chance she’s rocking out to Rage Against the Machine under her earmuffs.
Things About Sage
Worst fishing snack: No snacks at all. Never fish hungry.
Guilty pleasure fly: Dolly Llama. It takes no talent to tie. It could be a rag.
Most overrated fish: Permit are dumb. They’re terrible fish; they’re also my obsession and addiction.
Most underrated fish: Chum salmon. Chums get such a bad rap, but they eat flies like you wish all fish would, and they pull hard; they’re highly underrated.
Favorite knot: Uni knot. Easy. Next question.
More Things About Sage
Waders smell like... Salmon souls, and death. By mid-season, I just smell like salmon musk and so do my waders.
One person, living or dead, you wish you could fish with: former president Theodore Roosevelt. I’d love to thank him for his work in conservation, and I think he’d have some wild and interesting stories.
The best part about fly fishing: Tricking the fish and getting them to eat.
