JESS’ STATS
DOB Years Fly Fishing
9.26.78 24
Hometown Currently Resides
Bozeman, MT. Bozeman, MT
First fish on a fly Other Interests
Bluegill (Three Forks Pond) Music
JESS’ BIO
Jess Atkins was born in Bozeman, MT., and is Nick Watson’s brother, from another mother. Jess is known by his friends to preside over a variety of flyfishing’s great “location X’s” throughout southwestern Montana (disproportionately divulging details of the X while declining particulars of the location). Reminiscent of Neil Cassady, one of Kesey’s merry pranksters, Jess’ “yea, yea, right, right, right” disposition suits his vocation as Bozeman’s own flatpicking singer-songwriter. When not performing, Jess spends his time as a whitewater guide and trip facilitator for Global Expeditions on the Colorado River, and has worked at local fly shops as a tier and guide. Jess began Steelheading on the Clearwater in Idaho, and eagerly pursues wild fish across the Pacific Northwest with other members of the RTG team.
10 Short Questions with Jess Atkins
Q: What type of hair-gel do you endorse? A: What?
Q: Favorite Water? A: Undisclosed.
Q: Favorite Game Fish? A: Steelhead.
Q: Favorite Type of fly-fishing? A: Dry Fly fishing.
Q: Favorite fly? A: Again, undisclosed.
Q: Dream Trip? A: Sail the world and fish whatevers clever.
Q: Currently Guiding? A: Most summers I guide for trout throughout western Montana and whitewater on the Gallatin River.
Q: Fly Fishing Influences? A: My grandfather, Bob Nauheim (Bone fishing legend / invented the Crazy Charlie).
Q: Fly Tying Influences? A: All the bugs I pick out of the river.
Q: Industry Jobs? A: Commercial tier / guide / fly shop guy.
JESS’ GEAR
Rods: (Claims to own 100+)
Sage: 1984 GFL 9 ft 8 wt
Lamiglass: Custom 9 ft 4 wt
Echo: 12.5 ft 6 wt
14 ft 9 wt
Reels: (Again, claims to own 100+)
Ross
Loomis
Sage
Boat: 14 ft Ricon Niwok
Car: ’97 Grand Cherokee Laredo
Bike: 19” Kona Explosive Laredon
Rickshaw? None to date
