Fin & Feather with Colby Acuff: Music, Fly Fishing, and Conservation
With: colby_acuff
Trent Jones with Fly Life Media had the chance to sit down with Colby Acuff — country music singer, songwriter, and former fly fishing guide — to talk about his unique journey blending music and the outdoors. We also talked about his new docuseries Fin & Feather, which shines a light on the unsung heroes of the outdoor world — the guides and outfitters who protect the places we love.
A fourth-generation Idaho native, Colby’s deep connection to fishing, hunting, and storytelling comes through in everything he does. In this interview, he shares how his time on the water shaped his songwriting, why conservation is so important to him, and what’s next on his horizon.
Here’s what he had to say:
What came first—the fly rod or the guitar? And how did those early passions shape the path you're on now?
The piano and an Ugly Stik came first—but I really started learning guitar and fly fishing right around the same time. Funny enough, those two things blended together in a way that shaped a lot of who I am. Both take patience, discipline, and a whole lot of repetition to get even halfway decent. Fly fishing taught me how to slow down and pay attention to detail, while music gave me a way to process and express what I was feeling out there on the water. They kept me grounded—and motivated me to keep showing up, even when things didn’t click right away. Looking back, I think they both taught me how to push through the frustration and trust the process.
Before the music took off, you were guiding in Idaho. How did those years on the water influence the way you see the world—and the way you write songs?
The years I spent on the water made me a better songwriter than any stage ever could. Guiding taught me how to see things clearly—not just fish, but people, patterns, and little details most folks overlook. I’ve always felt like I was on the outside looking in, like life was this big aquarium and I was just watching it swim by. That feeling used to isolate me, but guiding helped me realize it was actually one of my greatest strengths. Observation—really paying attention—is everything out there. You’re watching water levels, bugs, light, body language, mood shifts… and over time, that awareness becomes second nature. In songwriting, it’s the same. You have to notice the things most people miss and turn that into something honest. Whether you’re chasing trout or chasing truth, it all comes down to being aware, staying adaptable, and never forgetting the value of simply seeing what’s in front of you
Fin & Feather feels like a project built from real experience, not just production value. When did the idea for the show first come to you, and what made it feel worth chasing?
The idea for Fin & Feather really hit me during a duck hunt in Arkansas with a good buddy of mine and his dad. For them, duck hunting wasn’t just a hobby—it had been a lifeline, something that helped them through recovery. Watching that unfold in real time made something click for me. I saw just how deep these lifestyle sports run—not just for me, but for so many others. Hunting and fishing aren’t just about filling tags or cool photos; they’re about connection, healing, and purpose. That day planted the seed. I wanted to create something that told real stories, something that reminded folks why we hunt and fish in the first place. Not for trophies or limits, but for the journey, the tradition, and the way it grounds us in something bigger than ourselves
Episode 1 takes us to the White River—one of the most iconic fisheries in the South. What stood out most to you about that experience, both on the water and behind the scenes?
The first film takes place on the White River—hands down one of the most jaw-dropping fisheries I’ve ever set foot on. The trout are big, aggressive, and stacked up in numbers that just don’t feel real. From a pure fishing perspective, it’s a dream. But spend a few days there, and you start to see past the surface. The river’s facing some real conservation challenges. The pressure from anglers is constant, catch-and-release rules only cover a small stretch, and the way water flows are managed feels more engineered than natural. It’s a system built for recreation and utility—but not always for the long-term health of the fishery.
What made this experience truly special wasn’t just the fish, though—it was the people. We spent four solid days with Luke Coffey, who’s out there every day guiding, teaching, and protecting that river with everything he’s got. We also had the chance to sit down with the legendary Ben Levin, whose insights into the river’s past and future added a powerful perspective. These aren’t just guides—they’re caretakers. They’re the ones doing the hard work when no one’s watching. That intersection between world-class fishing and a deep need for stewardship made the White River the perfect place to kick off Fin & Feather—because it captures both the beauty and the responsibility of being out there.
You chose to focus Fin & Feather on guides and outfitters—the folks behind the curtain. Why was it important to spotlight their stories instead of just making it about your own adventures?
I chose to focus Fin & Feather on guides and outfitters because they’re the true backbone of the outdoor experience—the unsung heroes who live and breathe these places every day. It’s easy to make a show about my own adventures, but that would only tell one side of the story. The guides aren’t just leading clients to fish or birds; they’re stewards, protectors, and storytellers themselves.
Spending time with them showed me how deeply connected they are to the land and water, how much they fight to preserve these wild places even when no one is watching. Their passion and commitment go beyond the thrill of the catch—it’s about respect, responsibility, and legacy. I wanted to give those voices a platform because their stories remind us why we hunt and fish—not for trophies, but for the connection, the conservation, and the community that makes it all worth it.
At the heart of it, Fin & Feather is about honoring that dedication and inspiring everyone who loves the outdoors to take part in protecting it for the next generation. That felt like a story worth telling.
Conservation is clearly a big theme in both your show and your personal message. What does protecting the resource mean to you—and how do you hope to influence that conversation?
It’s wild how conservation has somehow become a controversial topic in the outdoor space. I’ve never understood the resistance—especially when the issues are right in front of us every single day. Anyone who’s spent serious time in the field knows it’s getting tougher out there. The fish don’t come as easy, the birds aren’t flying like they used to, and the pressure on wild places keeps growing.
But instead of pointing fingers, I think it’s time we all look in the mirror and ask: What am I doing to protect what I love? Because at the end of the day, conservation isn’t about politics—it’s about responsibility. It’s about making sure these waters, these woods, and these traditions are still here for the next generation. That should be the number one goal for anyone who calls themselves a sportsman.
Your music feels honest, raw, and rooted in wild places. Are there any specific songs or lyrics that were born from a moment in the field or on the river?
Lyrics aren’t really born—they feel more like they’re handed to you when you’re paying close enough attention. Life has a way of giving you these little moments, and if you’re lucky, you catch them before they pass. Observing life—really sitting with it—helps you gather words that somehow make sense of an emotion we all feel but can’t always explain. That’s the magic of songwriting.
It’s wild how a song can take you somewhere else in just three minutes—mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. It happens all the time, and no one really knows how. That’s the trick. People ask if lyrics ever come to me out in the field, and the answer is yes—but not always in that cinematic way. They’re usually born from a buildup of quiet, ordinary moments. Fly fishing, watching the seasons change, listening to the wind—those things fill up the creative well. The lyrics don’t come from one moment… they come from all of them
With Fin & Feather launching soon and another album on the way—what’s next for you? What are you most excited about looking forward?
The future feels as exciting as ever. Between launching Fin & Feather, working on a new record, and hitting the road with a busy touring schedule, I’m constantly looking toward tomorrow with a smile. It’s a mix of hard work, passion, and gratitude — knowing I get to chase both my love for the outdoors and music every day. There’s something powerful about balancing those worlds: the quiet reflection on the water and the energy of the stage. No matter where the path leads, I’m ready to embrace it, keep learning, and keep sharing the stories that matter most.
The first episode of Fin & Feather drops today — and it’s a real look at the places and people who make the outdoors what it is. If you care about fishing, hunting, and protecting these wild places, this one’s for you. Go check it out and see the story unfold.
