October Speaker:
Founder and CEO for Bozeman, Montana-based Yellow Dog
Flyfishing (www.yellowdogflyfishing.com), Jim began working
in the flyfishing industry at the age of 14. Over the years, he
has worked as a guide, sales rep, travel coordinator, and as
past National Sales Manager for Scientific Anglers. He’s guided
extensively in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon,
and has fished throughout the world in over 60 different
countries.
In 1999, Jim founded Yellow Dog – a trip booking and
travel company that has grown to become one of the largest
and most recognized entities in sporting travel. Yellow Dog
currently represents and books more than 250 lodges and
outfitting operations in 42 different countries. In 2022, Yellow
Dog expanded operations with the acquisition of one of the
largest fly shops in Montana, adding a full-service e-commerce
retail platform to better service anglers looking for the right
equipment and flies for the world of flyfishing.
As Yellow Dog’s CEO, Jim spends a lot of time scouting and
researching destinations throughout the world. Aside from
his ongoing work with Yellow Dog, Jim is also the co-founder
of Confluence Films, a film production company that created
the fishing movies DRIFT in 2008, RISE in 2009, CONNECT
in 2011, WAYPOINTS in 2013 and PROVIDENCE in 2016.
In 2019, Jim launched the fishing podcast, WAYPOINTS – a
program dedicated to fishing travel, adventure, and exploration
that has grown to
become one of the
most popular and
known podcasts in
all of fishing. In 2017, Jim was
awarded the
American Museum
of Fly Fishing’s
“Izaak Walton
Award,” given out
once a year to
honor and celebrate
individuals who live by the Compleat Angler philosophy.
The award recognizes “a passion for the sport of fly fishing
and involvement in the angling community that provides
inspiration for others and promotes the legacy of leadership for
future generations.” In 2018, Jim was the recipient of the “Lefty
Kreh Industry Leadership Award,” presented to one individual
each year by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association
(AFFTA).
Jim’s writings and photos have appeared in numerous magazines
and publications, and his photo work and galleries can be
viewed at www.klugphotos.com. Fly Fishing Belize (released in
October 2014) was Jim’s first full-length book project, followed
by a second book – Waypoints: Flyfishing the World – in
2024. Jim lives in Bozeman, Montana with his wife Hilary and
children Carson, Finn and Gus.
