Community Member Spotlight

John French

About John French

Some people walk into your life at just the right time—and end up leaving a lasting mark on everyone around them. That’s John French.

With over 50 years of fly fishing experience, John brings something deeper than just time on the water—he brings perspective. When asked about his most memorable fishing trip, he didn’t mention a trophy fish. Instead, he took us back to the Conejos River in Colorado, fishing alongside his dad—remembering the sound of the water, the smell of afternoon rain, and bacon cooking over the fire. Those are the moments that stayed with him, and the ones he still carries onto every river today.

That’s what fly fishing means to John.

Yes, he fishes hard—changing flies, adjusting depth, working every angle—but at the end of the day, it’s not the fish that matter most. It’s the osprey overhead, the laughter with friends, and the quiet reminder of how fortunate we are to be out there at all.

After selling his business several years ago, John became a regular at the shop. One day, he mentioned he was looking for something to fill his time. Without hesitation, we invited him to come work with us.

His response?
“I’d pay you to do that.”

We told him no—we’d pay him—because we knew exactly the kind of person he was.

From that day forward, John became a cornerstone of the AZ Fly Shop community. He never showed up without a fresh box of donuts, a smile, and an attitude that made everyone around him better. Whether you were brand new to fly fishing or had been doing it for decades, John made you feel right at home.

To John, the AZ Fly Shop represents something rare.

“Having a fly shop in the desert… WOW!!!” he said. Through the shop, he’s built friendships, traveled, and experienced a community he believes is unlike any other—calling it the friendliest fly shop in the world.

If there’s one piece of advice John leaves us with, it’s this:

“No bad days on the river.”

And if you have time for one more cast, one more story, one more moment—take it.

Because those are the things that last.

Now, John is stepping into his second retirement, with plans to travel and enjoy life alongside his wonderful wife.

But as he put it best—
“Not goodbye… see you all soon.”

John, thank you for the time, generosity, and heart you’ve given to this shop and this community. You’ve made a lasting impact on all of us.

You’ll always be part of the AZ Fly Shop family.