We recently lost a beloved member of the WCA Guide family as Jeff Jennings was called home on February 28th, 2024, at the age of 51.
Jeff has guided for Wolf Creek Angler for most of the years we’ve been here and while I wouldn’t claim I knew him super well, he was, without exception, the most authentic, legit, gypsy fly fishing guide I’ve ever known. Jeff guided here on the MO for us and for other outfitters and also spent time guiding the Big Horn River in both Montana and Wyoming, the San Juan, the Olympic Peninsula and the home waters in Michigan where he, like me, got his start in fly fishing. We are still in shock over the news and we’re going to miss him terribly, as will the countless clients who shared a boat with him over the years.
I didn’t know Jeff in Michigan, though we were very close in age and grew up a couple of hours drive apart. Jeff hailed from Traverse City and I grew up to the south in Montague, both on the shores of Lake Michigan. Jeff got his fishing start on the lakes around Traverse City and was taught to fly fish and tie flies by one of his middle school teachers. He honed his skills on storied Michigan waters like the Boardman, the Manistee, the Betsie, the Platte and the Au Sable and went to work in a Traverse City fly shop right out of high school where his western wanderlust was accepted and encouraged.
Jeff got bitten by the fly fishing bug much earlier on in life than I and he was already a fixture on the waters of the west by the time I got in the game. That being said, we grew up fishing on the same waters and came from similar backgrounds which established an immediate hometown connection when we finally crossed paths in Montana.
In addition to being among the fishiest people I’ve met, what really set Jeff apart from the pack was his amazingly kind heart. He was, quite possibly, the nicest human I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and his authentically kind demeanor and positive attitude were infectious and made it impossible not to like him.
After his passing it was abundantly clear as evidenced by an explosion of social media tributes that Jeff meant the world to a legion of folks whose hearts he had touched throughout the duration of this, the earthly portion of his journey.
From a family who adored him to his fishing clients and fishing friends to the Montana guide community to the coterie of music lovers in which he was well ensconced, Jeff was loved by so many and while we mourn his loss, the mark he left on this world, the way he lived his life, warrants joyous celebration. If we could all live with half the positive energy and just a portion of his kindness, the world would be a much better place.
Again, I wouldn’t ever claim to have had a close relationship with Jeff but, being fellow Lions-obsessed Michiganders, I can say that I spent most every Lions game for the past however many years texting with Jeff, usually expressing my disgust with whatever happened to be going on in the game. Jeff would acknowledge those issues but at the same time he would always point out the good. Especially this past season when things were really going well for our Lions, I would usually find something to bitch and moan about and he would come back with something like “that wasn’t pretty, BUT we are 7-2!” As Lions fans we are conditioned to deal with disappointment on a fairly regular basis while maintaining an eternal optimism season after season. We’re all there but Jeff wore it better than most!
Unfortunately I never got around to asking Jeff about his origins story, about how he came to be a fishing guide. I expect I’ll learn much about him in the coming months as the discussions and tributes continue to populate my social media feed. What I do know is that it was very apparent that he was doing the job he was supposed to be doing. My own journey into the fishing business took me on a different course, one less to do with guiding and more to do with running my fly shop and lodging and outfitting businesses. I spend some days in the rower’s seat but that is not where my gifts lie. Those who spend days and weeks and months in that rower’s seat have my utmost respect for doing what they do and Jeff was no exception. He was a professional by all measures and his kind heart and positive attitude afforded him years of great days on the water making connections with all kinds of people from all walks of life and I would venture a guess that the vast majority of those days ended with plenty of fish to hand and smiles all around.
One of my favorite Jeff stories is about a client we had who was the polar opposite of Jeff. Definitely a glass half empty kind of guy. This client had been out with one of our guides the day before and hadn’t enjoyed the day much at all. He hadn’t caught enough fish in his opinion and basically considered the day a waste of his time. The next day he was scheduled to fish with Jeff and I warned Jeff what he was in for prior to the trip. He didn’t seem concerned.
By Jeff’s telling they were barely out of the parking lot and the guy started in about what a terrible time he’d had the day before. Jeff pulled over and stopped the truck and told the client this wasn’t how this day was going to go. He told him he was going to improve his attitude and that they were going to go out and have a fun day OR they weren’t going to go at all.
By all indications the guy took it to heart and they did end up having a great day after which this client, who had been nothing but negative for years about every guide and every trip he ever took with us, let me know what a fantastic day he had had with Jeff and of course requested him for his next trip.
That was Jeff!
A life well lived my friend. Well done. Until we meet again….
Tight Lines!
Well written article. Made me feel like I knew him.
Condolences.
So sorry to hear about Jeff . Knew him here at Ft Smith for a number of years as an outfitter and was also his landlord for a few seasons. You are very right he was mild mannered and never obnoxious, very quiet. I know he was a good guide. Cindy and I usually ran into him on our annual trip to the MO every June . Rest in peace Jeff . Shocking news.
Those of us who knew Jeff were truly blessed. RIP brother.
God bless you neighbor. Jeff is missed far and wide.
Beautifully written and so funny too. He was a gem of a friend and will be missed terribly. Thanks for your reflections .
Jeff was a peach of a soul . I lived and fished in Fort Smith for many years and he was such a joy on the River. We were in a fantasy league together also.
RIP
Rest easy my friend
☮️❤️🙏🙏
Such a wonderful tribute, thank you for sharing what an impact Jeff made in the lives he crossed paths with…
true to form! So nice to take a moment & envision him out there doing his thing….💕
Jason, it’s Jeff’s mom, Sharon, and I have just read this for the umpteenth time and I am still typing this with tears in my eyes! This is the most beautiful memorial to Jeff and I will treasure it always. That he will be remembered for his kindness and his big heart makes my mother’s heart swell with pride. I think you captured the true essence of his soul. He was a long way from perfect but he was a good man. And that’s what counts in the end,, Thank You!
That means the world to me Sharon. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to know Jeff. It was an honor and a privilege to write this piece.
Jason,
I knew Jeff as a friend and he is counted as family to myself and my family. You captured his essence very well in your tribute… thank you for doing so. Ms. Sharon, your son was a brother of the heart to me and my family and he is truly the most genuine and beautiful person that I have ever met and I fully believe ever will meet. I am truly thankful for having been blessed with his friendship and will always carry him and Jenny in my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss Ms. Sharon.
A beautiful soul. He will be dearly missed.
Our Condolences