Jim Riley joins Global Sporting Safaris

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

Jim Riley

Jim’s life in the outdoors began in Minnesota. Known as the Land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota was a great place to begin a life as an international hunting and fishing consultant. Jim grew up in Maplewood, a suburb of St. Paul, and an area known for its outstanding fishing. Many summer days found Jim riding his bike to the nearest lake, pond, or river to chase sunfish, crappie, and the occasional northern pike. Jim’s father knew he needed to get this young explorer more room to roam. It was then he purchased what became known to friends as simply “The Farm.” The Farm was two hours from the cities in the heart of prime hunting and fishing. Very near the famous Mille Lacs Lake. It is here where Jim’s hunting addiction hit the hard core mark. Whitetails, black bears, ruffed grouse, and ducks called this region home, and on the weekends, so did Jim. In addition to roaming the farm, Jim, his father, and friends traveled to North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Canada to on various hunting and fishing adventures.

When it came time for college Jim attended The University of Wisconsin Stout where he received his degree in Marketing Education. Stout was a great place to get an education and, of course, hunt and fish. After college Jim worked for two high profile companies as a territory sales manager. Four years later he decided to hang up the suits and begin his quest of making a living sharing the outdoors he loved so much with others.

Jim had no idea how many other people have this same dream! Fortunately, Jim was able to use his extensive sales and marketing background to gain a spot on the world-respected Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures team. Jim may have been a decent hunter and guide at this point, but Cabela’s saw to it that Jim traveled the world, honing his skills as a hunter and as hunting and fishing consultant. Some of the destinations Jim has hunted and fishing are: Africa, Russia, Argentina, Bolivia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, all over Canada and the United States.

It was a difficult decision to leave Cabela’s but Jim wanted the freedom to spend more time in the field guiding hunters and fishermen. Subsequently Jim guided in Colorado, Alaska, and South Dakota for elk, mule deer, antelope, brown bear, black bear and moose. Jim feels his time guiding gives him more respect with the outfitters that Global Hunting Adventures represents.

Jim currently resides in the outdoor paradise of Bozeman, Montana. His goal’s while at Global Sporting Safaris are to continue to provide clients the very best in worldwide hunting and fishing adventures. As always he will continue traveling the world searching for your next dream adventure!

Tags: cabela, cabelas, Fishing Travel Agent, Fishing Travel Agents, fly fishing travel, Global Sporting Safaris, GSSafaris, hunting booking agent, hunting consultant, hunting consultants, Hunting Travel, Jim Riley
Posted in GSSafaris.com website, Hunting Consultant, Hunting Industry, International Travel |

Fly Fishing Argentina

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Global Sporting Safaris has posted 47 new pictures on Argentina Fly Fishing.  Go to www.gssafaris.com/ and click on Fishing Destinations and then click Northern Patagonia or click here.  For a Destination Overview emailed to you on Argentina Fly Fishing, please click here for details.

About Global Sporting Safaris, Inc.

Global Sporting Safaris, Inc. is a Full-Service Fishing Travel Agent located in Casper, Wyoming and established in 1991. We have a staff of 7 Fishing Travel Agents and Hunting Consultants with a combined 175 years of experience.   We hold integrity, ethics and honesty in high regard and deal with each client in a one on one basis.   Global Sporting Safaris invests time, effort and financial resources in developing our outfitters and guides with a constant eye on the quality and professional services they offer.

Tags: argentina fishing trips, argentina fly fishing, argentina trout fishing, Fishing, Fishing Blog, fishing guide trout, fishing holiday, fishing in patagonia, Fishing Travel, Fishing Travel Agent, Fishing Travel Agents, fly, fly fish patagonia, fly fishing, fly fishing holidays, fly fishing in argentina, fly fishing in patagonia, fly fishing packages, fly fishing resorts, fly fishing south america, fly fishing tours, fly fishing travel, flyfishing, flyfishing lodge, flyfishing trips, Global Sporting Safaris, GSSafaris, guided fly fishing, guided fly fishing trips, guided trout fishing, international fly fishing, patagonia argentina fly fishing, patagonia fishing, patagonia fishing lodge, patagonia fly fishing, patagonia trout fishing, travel agent, travel agents, trout fishing in argentina, trout fishing lodge, trout fishing lodges, trout fishing trips
Posted in Fishing, Fly Fishing, Patagonia, Trout Fishing |

Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass by Bill Elliott

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

Colorful Butterfly Peacock Bass

So, you have watched several TV shows and read what you could find on the subject – how difficult can it be? Just because you are traveling to a truly remote location in the Amazon jungle, don’t be fooled into thinking that you will be able to cast in any direction and have a 20 pound peacock explode on your fly. I have been fly fishing now for 49 years and have thrown a fly to almost everything that has gills and swims; take it from someone who has just returned from spending my 20th week casting a fly for these truly fantastic fish. If you want to have a rewarding experience then there are a few things you need to know. 

Choosing Tackle 
Choosing how heavy to go for these fish will be determined by the time of year you travel. After 9 years, I have settled on a 10 weight for casting streamers and a 10-11 mega when throwing surface flies. 90% of my fishing is casting subsurface streamers that represent the bait that they feed on. These flies are large, 6 to 8 inches, with a full silhouette. When you match up the 10 weight rod with the proper fly line, they cast with little effort. I highly recommend the purchase and use of a 10 foot clear sink tip line (Scientific Angler makes this line). The first 10 feet of clear line sinks slowly and the balance of the line floats. Since the line is clear, a short butt section is used with a 2 foot piece of 80 pound mono ending in a loop and to this, 3 feet of 50 pound mono making a loop to loop connection, so that my entire leader is only 5 feet from fly line to the fly. This short leader makes for ease in casting the large flies. I know that you are asking why 50 pound leader? I can tell you that you will be glad you did. On my most recent trip, I had 7 fish break the 50 pound line on a straight pull. During the high water, this is about the only way to insure that you will land a big fish. Take a hint from the plug guys that use 80 pound Power Pro and have that broken. When the river drops to its lowest fishable level, you can play with lighter lines once you have caught enough peacocks to know what to expect. My largest Peacock Bass  is 22 pounds and was taken 4 seasons ago on 16 pound tippet. When the river is up and the fish can take you into the trees or brush piles, stick with the heavy line. 

I tie my flies on a size 4/0 hook and have many that are very colorful enough to say the least. Just remember that this is the tropical fish capital, so expect highly colorful fish. I spend little time fishing surface flies and after 20 trips, I have produced some very big peacock bass but the numbers dramatically decreased. My personal belief is that these fish hold closer to the surface when it’s overcast and are more likely to be attracted to a surface disturbance. This is when I have been most successful with large surface flies. At this time, I would match the 10-11 mega with a high floating line and keep the leader short at 5 to 6 feet. During the early higher water conditions, I always bring a series of Hi D shooting heads from 300 to 400 grain. This is truly ugly fishing (chuck and duck) but it will get the fly down to some of the larger fish holding off deep points. I recommend bringing at least 3 dozen flies and 2 of each weight rod. Also bring back up lines in the event that you break or lose one. I will be supplying the lodge with a gross of flies this season, but to be on the safe side, you should be sure to bring your own. 

I hope this information will aid you to be better prepared for your first encounter with this amazing fish.

Story by Bill Elliott.

Global Sporting Safaris, Inc. is a Full-Service Fishing Travel Agency located in Casper, Wyoming and established in 1991. We have a staff of 7 Fishing Travel Agents and Hunting Consultants with a combined 175 years of experience.   We hold integrity, ethics and honesty in high regard and deal with each client in a one on one basis.   Global Sporting Safaris invests time, effort and financial resources in developing our outfitters and guides with a constant eye on the quality and professional services they offer.

Global Sporting Safaris always recommends Hunting & Fishing Trip Cancellation Insurance from Travel Guard.  For an instant quote, click this link.

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Posted in Amazon, Fishing, Fishing Destination, Fly Fishing, International Travel, Peacock Bass Fishing |