Hunter grew up in Lodi, Wisconsin and learned how to trout fish on the creeks of the Drifless Area. He spent his summers off in Traverse City, Michigan fishing the storied Boardman and Manistee Rivers, among others. Hunter worked for Madison Outfitters while in High School and picked up a drift boat in 2003. In 2004, he completed the Hubbard Guide Training Course in Montana. Shortly there after, he moved to Michigan to work for Streamside Orvis. Hunter has guided in some breathtaking areas in the Rocky Mountain west, but continues to be drawn back to the river Smallmouth of Wisconsin. He is passionate about catching Smallmouth on fly tackle and loves introducing new comers to the sport. Tight Lines is very excited to have Hunter on staff.
An excellent fly tier, fisherman, and one of the shops close friends, Nelson Ham Joined the Tight Lines Guide staff in 2004. A geology professor at St. Norbert college, Nelson was finally coaxed into guiding by Tim and Bart. Knowing his skills as an angler, unfailing patience, and the unique geologic perspective he can bring to the boat, Nelson was a no-brainer when it came time to hire guides. Whether it be helping anglers perfect their presentation, utilizing his vast knowledge of tying materials and tying to explain flies, or just making small talk in between explosive strikes, booking Nelson will not be a disappointment. Nelson’s creative flies and unique river perspective have been featured in his article “ACHIGAN” in the summer 2006 issue of FISH AND FLY magazine or check out his company on line-Bronze back flyworks.
Kim comes to Big Sky after retiring from a career as a middle school science teacher. Her love for fly fishing developed in her early 20s when he and a couple of friends took a “road trip”to Montana, thirty-eight years later Kim is still exploring that part of Yellowstone each year. Through the hard work of the DNR and Trout Unlimited this fishery just keeps getting better. At times our own spring creeks can match the quality of many western creeks. Kim spends more time on the spring creeks than most anyone I know. He will be more than happy to assist customers headed to that area. Kim is a valuable member of the Tight Lines Team and looks forward to expanding his own knowledge of fly fishing and passing along what he has learned to Tight Lines customers.
Retired from engineering and teaching, Jim has been fly fishing for many years and has an extensive background fishing for both cold and warm water species. Jim loves making trips to his favorite waters in the northwoods of Wisconsin, Minnesota, the U.P. and Ozarks Mountains. He enjoys sharing fishing and tying information with the Tight Lines customers. Besides helping out in the shop, Jim also is an owner of BlueSky Flyfishers, designs and manufacturers of hand-woven furled tapered leaders, selling his designs worldwide. In his spare time, Mr. Hauer is an accomplished wooden boat builder, interested in craft for fishing lakes and rivers. Jim’s passions: big smallmouth, wood fishing boats and back roads.