Jim grew up in Walla Walla, Washington and learned to fly fish and hunt at a very young age. Jim’s father was an avid out-doors-man and some of Jim’s earliest and fondest memories are of his dad carrying him on his back across the small trout streams that flow out of the Blue Mountains.

This passion for fishing that was nurtured in him by his father compelled Jim to open the Blue Quill in 1988 and he became Blue Quill's first guide.

Responsibilities as co-owner of the shop with his wife, Martha and fellow guide, Pat Dorsey, keeps Jim busy in the shop most days but he is able to get out on the river and enjoy guiding and teaching on a limited basis.

Jim is a Federation of Fly Fishing certified casting instructor and is available to our guests for casting instruction. He has helped hundreds of anglers develop a relaxed, effective and comfortable casting style.

Jim considers himself to be an all-around fly fisherman fishing nymphs, dry flies and streamers whenever the opportunities present themselves. He is also an Umpqua contract fly tier and his snowshoe rabbit flies are considered to be very effective and durable emergers and dry flies.
Passing on his love of the outdoors to his grandson, Gabriel, born February 2005 is one of Jim’s greatest pleasures and Gabriel is already requesting guided trips every Sunday afternoon. Jim is definitely agreeable.