Jim Teeny is one of the most innovative fly fishermen. His famous Teeny nymph and his series of fly lines have changed the sport forever, becoming a must for every fly angler. Jim has held ten IGFA world records, and his flies have held over 25 world records. Jim started the Teeny Nymph Company in July of 1971, now Jim Teeny, Inc., the business which Jim and his wife, Donna, run in Gresham, Oregon. Jim has appeared on many television shows and has written articles in major fishing publications. In 1988, Jim was featured in an award winning video, Catching More Steelhead, produced by Scientific Anglers. One of Jim's proudest moments was taking the Gold at the "Pacific Rim Fly Fishing Tournament" held in B.C. Canada in September 2007. As a member of the TFO Advisory/Pro Staff, Jim's innovative contributions have continued with his designing of the Jim Teeny Series of fly rods. It is our pleasure to share Jim’s interview with you.

FD: When did you start fly fishing? Could you tell us about your memories from those times?
Jim: I started Fly Fishing at the age of 12 when my friend Jim Bagley taught me how to tie flies. When he showed me his new hobby I thought it looked like a lot of fun so I went to the local sporting goods store in Bend, Oregon and bought my first vise. I started as most people do, tying and using dry flies. After 4 years my biggest trout was a 16 incher! It was so cool to make a fly and then go catch something on it!

FD: The Teeny Nymph is perhaps one of the most popular patterns worldwide. Could you tell us the story behind this fly?
Jim: When I was a junior in High School I first tied the Teeny Nymph Fly for Oregon’s East Lake trout. At that time there were Monster Browns, Rainbows and Eastern Brook trout cruising the waters. It was the year earlier that my uncle Ray took some of us to fish East Lake. We were trolling Ford Fenders and worms and it was totally boring. I asked my uncle if he could drop me off on the shoreline by the big rock cliffs and I would fish from shore. Everyone was happy to get me out of the boat which gave them more room. What I saw cruising the shoreline was not to be believed! Giant trout cruising the shoreline before my eyes! I landed fish up to 20” but the big ones seemed too smart. Well, when the next season rolled around my dad, Fred Teeny, suggested that I tie something ugly so I did! It was the original Teeny Nymph which was first named the Abduli from my fishing buddy Dan Schacher. I kept the fly a secret for 9 years. It was in May of 1962 that I first tied this great pattern. Just for the Record, I have not fished with anything else since I started our business back in July 1, 1971. That includes Fresh and Saltwater.

FD: How about Teeny fly lines? It must be an interesting story to read.
Jim: I first went to Fly Fishing only when I made a New Year’s Resolution in 1969 that it would be the only way that I would fish no matter what. That was 2.5 years before I started the Teeny Nymph Company. My first attempt to catch a Steelhead on a fly was in 1968. Back then we did not have a lot to choose from in the way of fly lines. We had to cut and splice lines to make them work the way we wanted them to. It was not easy and we always had a knot that could catch in the guides if you pulled in your line into your rod. I approached S.A. and suggested that they make a shooting head with a built in running line from the factory. No knot, they said they did not think they could make it and that they did not think it would work. I let it go for 5 to 6 years and approached them when I thought they now could make my new line. This time I wanted them for our company and required them to agree that they would not be made for themselves or anyone else but me. That took place in August 30th, 1983. On my Birthday we received our first Teeny T-Series lines that would change fly fishing forever. They are the first and original integrated fly lines and the most copied in the World! I would like to say that they still are the very best casting and fishing lines in the World.

FD: How did you start your Company?
Jim: Back in 1970 we were fishing the Olympic Peninsula for winter steelhead and we met some great guys from Portland, Oregon that were patent attorneys and my fishing buddies said to me that a lot of people would like to fish with my fly pattern. We talked and I set up an appointment with them when we got back to town. Three U.S. Patents later I started the Teeny Nymph Company. Today we are named Jim Teeny Inc. The reason we changed the name was if you look up Teeny Nymph porn sites will come up! Now we do not get any calls from traveling businessmen!

FD: What are your favorite fresh and saltwater species? Why? We know you are a specialist in catching big fish. What are the reasons why you prefer big fish?
Jim: I can honestly say that I love all the fish from Bluegills to Tarpon! If they swim I want to try and catch them. For freshwater my favorites are Kings, Steelhead, Sockeye Salmon, Atlantic salmon, Brown Trout & Rainbow Trout. For saltwater it is Tarpon and Bonefish. I do enjoy hooking a big fish that I cannot control. Something about a fish that has a chance to put me in my place is a great challenge for me. Many fish have succeeded I might add. On the other hand, let’s go catch some Bluegills!

FD: How much weight do you bear to the cast in, the general equation of a complete angler? Why is presentation one of the keys?Jim: Bottom line it is not how far can you cast to catch the fish. It is all about presentation. Not too much more to say about this question!

FD: Being a big fan and expert in sight fishing, what would you recommend? What do you look for? What common mistakes do you see in other anglers?
Jim: I so much love to sight fish. Sometimes I will just watch them while someone else fishes. You can learn so much by watching how they react. Polarized Glasses are so important for many reasons and the one tool that has helped me more than anything else.

FD: Two handed rods have become very popular worldwide. What do you think about them?
Jim: Two Handed Rods have become quite popular in the United States and Canada and God bless those who love them! I guess I am old school but I can cast pretty far with my single hand rods and find that a lot of fish that I catch are less than 40 feet. Maybe also because I prefer to fish smaller waters and I also enjoy the fight or battle that I get with a single hand rod. Now the switch rod has my interest so I am in the process of making my 10 ft. 5 piece JimTeeny rod with a short extension so you could fish single or switch. I fish both my 9 ft. and 10 ft. rods and like the 10 ft. when float tube fishing. Also if roll casting is what you often do then a 10 ft. rod would serve you well!

FD: When you visit new waters: Do you prefer to be guided or fish on your own?
Jim: I enjoy having a guide for the company but I do not feel that it is totally necessary when on a river, stream or lake. Saltwater fishing from a boat by all means a guide! In Alaska I have helped train many guides since my first trip in 1975. Guides for most people are a big help. Especially if you do not get out that often. I always recommend for people to have a guide and they will learn so much more quickly. One thing I would like to add is that I do not believe that a guide is really teaching you much when they have you fishing and watching a bobber. I know it is deadly but you miss the actual grab or take and that is what I love and fish for! That split second when they take your fly and you set the hook and say Fish On!

FD: You have been travelling all over the world fishing. A) Which are your favorite fresh and saltwater spots? B) Could you tell us some of your funniest memoirs from your trips? C) Any very risky situation you’ve been into?
Jim: Growing up in Oregon I have some great memories and that is where I learned to fish. Alaska, British Columbia, Great Lakes, South America, Florida, Bahamas, Iceland, England, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Bring back the best of memories. I remember one time in Alaska that we ran out of gas in our float plane until the pilot finally figured out in panic that he needed to switch tanks! I have been false charged by two Bears in Alaska and the reason that I can say this is the fact that they really were false charges. Let me say that nothing about the charges looked false at the time! I coached Bobby Knight into his first two fly caught Steelhead on British Columbia’s Gold River. He never threw one chair at me! Truly he is a great person and I enjoyed his company a lot!

FD: Which spots and species are in your bucket list?
Jim: There are still places we want to fish. Back to Mexico for big Rooster Fish. Quebec for Big Brookies, more Atlantic Salmon Fishing, taking my wife Donna to South America. Our dream trip is to go to Africa on a photo Safari. Oh yes, to land a Wahoo as I hooked 3 with Rupert Leadon of Andros Island Bonefish Club and never got one to the boat! They take off fast and then pick up speed! Rupert passed away last year and he is greatly missed!

FD: We´ve learnt a lot watching your videos. Are you working on a new project?
Jim: I enjoyed doing many videos and appreciate the positive feedback. Hopefully I will do a few more in the near future. We are always looking to design and add in new products for the fly fishing people of our ever changing world.

FD: Do you consider important to know about fly fishing history? Why?
Jim: To know the history of our sport is great but not as important as respecting and embracing our sport. It is lifetime and open to anyone that would like to learn. I feel truly sorry for anyone that does not ever get to see and appreciate the great outdoors. The more you get into and enjoy the sport, the more you will want to learn.

FD: What does fly fishing mean for you? 
Jim: I have been Fly Fishing for 55 years and it is a way of life for me. We have 6 Grandchildren and they all Fly Fish. If I had it to do over I would gladly do it again!
FD: Thank you very much Jim!