Vaughn Cochran is an artist, fly fisherman and conservationist. Regarded as one of the best and more innovative artists in the world of saltwater flyfishing art, Vaughn’s current work would be classified as contemporary sporting art and represents the last 20 years of his work. A native Floridian, Vaughn grew up in the historic city of St Augustine Florida where he was exposed to many kinds of artists and to a vibrant group of musicians.
After serving in the military during the Vietnam era, Vaughn pursued his art career at the University of South Florida, the best unknown art school in the United States. Graduating in 1972 with degrees in ceramics and painting and a short stint as an instructor, the winds of creativity blew Vaughn to the southernmost city of Key West. Shortly thereafter, Vaughn started his professional fishing career and also became an original member of Jimmy Buffetts Coral Reefer Band. "It was a great time to be in Key West", says Vaughn, "I'm not sure how I survived."
Now retired from guiding, Vaughn became one of the most respected fly fishing guides in the Florida Keys and found plenty of artistic inspiration observing nature while guiding his clients to meet the challenges of saltwater fly fishing. For several years Vaughn fished and painted in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and later managed Costa Rica’s most famous fishing lodge, Parismina Tarpon Rancho. In 000/2001 Vaughn spent a year as fishing anager at Belize’s classic Turneffe Island Lodge. Currently, Vaughn is a co-owner in Blackfly Lodge on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas.
Vaughn’s artwork has been shown in numerous galleries and outdoor shows in the United States and has received many awards. His paintings and sculptures are held in private and corporate collections. In 2002, Vaughn’s eclectic paintings and sculptures were featured in a one-man show at the International Gamefish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. “Although I enjoy painting the traditional fishing and seascape scenes that I’m known for, I also still enjoy the pop style that I pursued from earlier in my painting career. Recently, Vaughn was selected as a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artist.
History Timeline:
2000: Website and web sales
2005: Blackfly Outfitter & Fine Art Gallery, St Augustine
2007: Blackfly Outfitter, Jacksonville
2016: Larger Blackfly Outfitter, Jacksonville + Blackfly Café & Taproom
2000: Website and web sales
The first brick and mortar Black Fly Outfitter & Fine Art Gallery opened in 2005 on Aviles Street in St Augustine, FL, the oldest street in the oldest continually occupied city in the nation. Our eclectic presentation of the intersection of art and fishing featured a mix of fine art, practical art, wearable art, fishing equipment and just about anything that fit the outdoor lifestyle.
In 2007 moving to Beach Blvd in Jacksonville provided larger space and audience needed to establish a full-fledged technical fly shop built around Vaughn’s experience as a Keys flyfishing guide and Vaughn and Jean’s shared experience managing fishing lodges in the Caribbean and Central America. Just like the St Augustine store, Vaughn’s artwork set the stage and told the story; it is the soul of the Blackfly brand.
As our business grew, we needed more retail floor space and a dedicated area to fulfill internet orders so in 2016 BFO moved a few doors down in the same center and added Blackfly Café & Taproom because nothing goes better with fishing than beer.
2020 brought challenges for us all. We came full circle and returned to our core of marketing art and Blackfly branded products solely on our website.
Now you’re here on our Shopify website launched in December of 2023.