est. 2000
An organization dedicated to increasing the return of wild
steelhead to the waters of the Pacific Northwest
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Wild Steelhead Coalition | |||||
est. 2000 An organization dedicated to increasing the return of wild |
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President, Rich Simms
Rich has had a passion for chasing steelhead since his childhood. Rich grew up on the Kitsap peninsula in Poulsbo and fished the many steelhead streams of the Olympic Peninsula with his uncle and learned to mooch for salmon with his father on Puget Sound. He caught his first steelhead with his uncle on the West Fork of the Humptulips and now fishes for steelhead all around the Pacific NW and BC.
Rich is a founding board member of the WSC and was instrumental in the planning of the organization. He believes there is a passion within himself to effect change and has channeled the WSC vision and energy into action.
Rich’s experience as a designer, project manager, and experience in board membership adds value to the WSC. He is capable of looking at the big picture without forsaking the details to get there. He also believes in working together and listening to others’ input. Some of Rich’s applicable credentials include:
• WSC founding board member and current president since 2003
• 35 years experience fishing for steelhead in the state of Washington.
• Overlake Fly Fishing Club, VP of Programs ‘96-’97, Trustee ’98, Committee Chair of Outings’99
• BS Degree in Industrial Design, Western Washington University
• Industrial Design prof. with 20 yrs experience in project mgmt and problem solving processes.
• Industrial Designers Society of America, NW Chapter Chair ‘92-‘94, Secretary ‘90-91"I still get as excited about steelhead fishing as when I was kid. I remember the beauty of the first steelhead I caught and I want to see wild steelhead thrive for future generations. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience fine steelhead fishing on the streams of Hood Canal. But that's not the case anymore, these streams, along with many other fine steelhead streams have been reduced to a glimmer of their past. That's why I'm devoted and I challenge others- to help put back what has been lost and preserve the last wild healthy runs we currently have. It's time for all anglers and conservationist to get further engaged and help recapture the Pacific Northwest steelhead legacy."