Jim Dean (1940-2017) was born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and lived in Raleigh, North Carolina for much of his adult life. He began fly fishing with Lefty Kreh while stationed in Baltimore in the Army and would serve as the longtime editor or and contributor to Wildlife in North Carolina. Jim has fly-fished for trout from Montana/Idaho to his beloved Wilson Creek; from East Tennessee tailraces for trout to Tar Heel lakes and ponds for bass and bream; from saltwater species in the coastal Carolinas to Caribbean bonefish, permit and tarpon.
He was the author of two books, Dogs that Point, Fish that Bite and The Secret Lives of Fishermen. Both works entailed selections of his poignant magazine articles and columns. In addition, Dean contributed numerous articles to major national magazines such as Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod & Reel and others. Jim was selected as the 1977 NC Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the art, science and sport of fly fishing, the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians honors James William Dean for sharing a lifetime of the joys of fly fishing, other types of fishing and hunting through his photography and the written word.
Jim Dean — Inducted Posthumously in 2018 in the Communications category as the editor of Wildlife in NC for many years, the author of numerous outdoor articles and books, and an outdoor photographer.
- He began fly fishing with Lefty Kreh while stationed in Baltimore in the Army and would serve as the longtime editor or and contributor to Wildlife in North Carolina.
- In addition, Dean contributed numerous articles to major national magazines such as Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod & Reel and others.
- He was the author of two books, Dogs that Point, Fish that Bite and The Secret Lives of Fishermen. Both works entailed selections of his poignant magazine articles and columns.
- He was selected as the1977 NC Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year.
- Jim fly-fished for trout from Montana/Idaho to his beloved Wilson Creek; from East Tennessee tailraces for trout to Tar Heel lakes and ponds for bass and bream; from saltwater species in the coastal Carolinas to Caribbean bonefish, permit and tarpon.
