Some say that J.T. Van Zandt’s father, Townes Van Zandt, was the greatest songwriter there ever will be—standing side by side with Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. But as Nathaniel Riverhorse Nakadate discovers on his epic, boozy and fish-filled road trip, J.T. is his own man who has cut a singular path through his life, loves and passions.

Words: Nathaniel Riverhorse Nakadate

Do any of us have all the bones of our wings intact? I don’t know, but I left. Split. Bolted. Hightailed. Embarked. Fled. Pushed off. Checked out. Hauled ass. Cut bait. Lit out. Departed. Vamoosed. I bailed so hard there was nothing but dust behind taillights. Gone.
Call it a desire to understand home waters by disappearing from them. I was about to make an 800-mile solo Texas run just to put the pieces back together and take some time to gather some much-needed head space, mainly due to a girl who had thrown me for a loopSubscribe to start your collection of the world’s best flyfishing publication.