Friends: show

Jim Goggans practices Dentistry in Grand Junction Colorado. If I lived closer to Jim I wouldn't have near as much trepidation on my regular trips to the Dentist as I do now. I am told his waiting room is a veritable menagerie of mounted exotic birds. Can you imagine walking into any waiting room and seeing a complete mounted Great Argus Pheasant? That would take anyone?s mind off the impending procedure.

Jim began his love affair with fly tying early on, while growing up in Alabama. He purchased a kit from Herters in the late 1950?s and has been an avid student since then. He is also an avid fisherman as evidenced by the picture above from a recent trip to Alaska for Coho Salmon as well as collector of quality split cane rods among other things. Jim credits his preparation for a Float trip on the Alagnak River in Alaska several years ago as the reason for his passion for tying Salmon Flies. He obtained The Alaska Flyfishers Pattern Book that contained several Classic Patterns and that triggered it. Since then he has been collecting the materials and books and studying the techniques.

During the number of years Jim and I have been friends I've always marveled at how prolific he is at the vise. It seemed he would send a fly picture every day or at least every other day. He says he likes to practice 15 to 20 hours each week in order "to overcome his his limited innate ability through constant effort". I'm not sure I agree with his assessment of his abilities but he sure has become a World Class Fly Dresser.

Click on the thumbnails below to view some of his latest accomplishments.