Tyler Jermstad: Finding Perspective on the River
By Stacy Moser | Photography by Chantz Cutts
Tyler Jermstad is what might be referred to as a homegrown success story. The 32-year-old Temple High School and University of North Texas grad owns his own State Farm insurance agency in town and is the proud father of two children with his wife, Daron.
His family literally put down roots in the Central Texas area back in 1868, when his great-, great-grandfather came to the United States from Norway with only $18 in his pocket. “He came here to pursue the American Dream. Land in Texas was really affordable at the time, and he wound up being a successful farmer and businessman once he got here,” Tyler says proudly.
“Since then, each generation of my family has stood on the shoulders of the previous one. That’s really special to me—I’m grateful to my ancestors for getting me here.” Tyler credits his parents and grandparents with inspiring him to become a compassionate, effective member of the community.
Tyler says he’s always been driven to serve this community as an entrepreneur. He worked his way up the ladder in the insurance industry guided by one principle—to seek a way to be useful to others. “My parents always taught me to be a kind, generous person, to take ownership of my life. It’s important to them that I work hard and contribute to my community in a meaningful way,” he says. “It’s a dream come true to be able to do that in my hometown of Temple.”
One experience in particular motivated Tyler to explore ways to get involved locally—acceptance in 2015 to the Leadership Temple professional development program conducted by the Temple Chamber of Commerce. This rigorous series of classes prepares future community leaders by offering them behind-the-scenes looks into the city’s government, asking participants to define how they would lead future generations of residents, focusing on social and economic issues. “It’s a demanding time commitment,” Tyler explains. “You have to take it seriously. But the return from the effort is outstanding. You learn what it truly takes to run a city. And the networking opportunities are invaluable.”
These days, Tyler serves on the program’s advisory council and on the board of advisors for the Salvation Army, as well as on the Temple Jaycees’ and Temple College Foundation’s boards of directors. Through his insurance agency, he hosts two annual charitable events—“Stuff the Bus,” which raises funds for school supplies for the Temple and Belton Independent School Districts, and the “Good Neighbor Food Drive Block Party,” which brings local businesses together to gather charitable food donations.
When it’s time to unwind, Tyler heads to the river. He says he became a fly-fishing enthusiast in college, when he took a trip with friends and their dads to New Mexico for an epic fishing expedition on the Cimarron River. “It became an annual trip for us. But now that we all have kids, it’s not so annual any more,” he laughs.
Tyler becomes philosophical when he describes the time he spends on a river with a fishing rod. “The whole goal is to recreate nature. The way the fly lands on the water and floats should look like what a real fly would do. That’s the challenge, not only to choose the right fly, but to present it to the fish in a way that looks perfectly natural. Once the fish takes the fly and you start to retrieve the fish, it’s a totally different experience than when you’re on a boat. Catching a fish on a fly rod is like shaking hands with a fish. It’s an intimate experience with nature.”
“To put the right pieces together to attract the fish slows down your mind. It’s such a dichotomy from our busy, everyday lives. A lot of work goes into getting to the river in the first place. You’re fighting the flow of water over the rocks and you have to stay as patient and calm as possible. It’s a meditative experience. It’s hard work, yet it’s the most calming, rejuvenating thing. Whatever you do for recreation should re-create you. Fishing does that for me, I feel recharged and energized when I leave.”
Tyler talks about his family life with great reverence, too. “Being a dad is a blast, but it’s also a great responsibility. There are two sets of eyes watching the example I set. I want to be a dad my kids can look up to and lean on. Later in their lives, I want them to tap into the little lessons they learned along the way, just like I’ve done from watching my parents and grandparents.”
“Stuff the Bus” Fundraiser
August 3, 10am–2pm
State Farm Insurance Agency, 175 Verbena Drive, Temple
254-774-9090 | CenTexSF.com
Drop off school-supply donations for Temple and Belton Independent School Districts and enjoy fun children’s activities. Items needed include backpacks, pencils or notebooks and clothing, like socks and underwear.
Tyler Jermstad’s Fly-Fishing Faves
Nolan Creek | “Park at the Belton Christian Youth Center and wade into the creek at the I-35 Frontage Road bridge. Work your way upstream—it’s just long enough to scratch the itch and there are several good holes along the way. Once you wrap up, you and your fishing buddies can meet up with family at The Gin or Corona’s, overlooking the stream, and talk about the fish you caught over chips and salsa.”
Salado Creek | “Pace Park has some really good holes and is easily accessible. It’s great for new fly fishers because it’s pretty wide open if there aren’t any swimmers in the area. And Barrow Brewery is close by—a great place to finish the day.”
