Paul Bruun
The fly fishing bug from Ed Zern’s cartoon-filled Catskills-classic, "To Hell With Fishing," infected Paul Bruun in the 1950’s. Although hundreds of miles from any trout stream, discovering two 9-ft. bamboos and a Medalist reel in his dad’s Miami Beach garage propelled the youngster to nearby Biscayne Bay seawalls to cast crudely tied bucktails and streamers.
In 1955 “Big Paul,” a veteran newspaper man, introduced his 6th grader to fly fishing for trout during a two-month Western road trip that included Green, Madison, Truckee and Merced River outings. Visiting New York the next year, Jim Deren at the Angler’s Roost encouraged the Bruuns to catch Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi during their driving vacation to Quebec.
Years later when offered the Jackson Hole Guide editor job, Paul’s friend, Lefty Kreh solved a delicate family dilemma that required leaving aging parents and their thriving South Florida newspaper. Lefty reasoned: “Your parents know you love newspapering and the West. Try Jackson for a year. Then you will all know what to do!”
Since that April 1973 relocation, Bruun fashioned a credible Wyoming career that introduced a weekly Outdoors column that he continues (biweekly) in the Jackson Hole News & Guide, established/edited the Jackson Hole Daily, served for 12 years on the Jackson Town Council as the original Fishin’ Politician, guided/outfitted fly fishing float trips for 37 seasons and with partner Ralph Headrick, created the South Fork Skiff, a revolutionary low-profile fiberglass river boat especially for fly fishing.
Cumulation of research, expert information and history from decades of writing columns, articles and demonstrations as well as chronicling extensive guiding and travel activities allowed Bruun to contribute suggestions both to readers as well as fly industry innovators such as SIMMS, Orvis and Patagonia, where he still fulfills dual roles as token XXL and longest tenured Fly Fishing Ambassador. His “Classics” column on the final page of TU’s TROUT magazine highlights historical fly fishing subjects.
Bruun is especially proud of having been designated the Wyoming advisor for the expansion of the Dingell-Johnson Aid to Sport Fishing Act by the sponsoring American Fisheries Society. Introduction of this project to then Wyoming U. S. Senator Malcolm Wallop ultimately resulted in the 1984 Wallop-Breaux Amendment that extended 10% excise tax coverage to imported tackle, marine/navigation equipment and clothing.“I’ve benefitted from extensive help by skilled and generous mentors. Their inspiration encourages me to pass along as much fly fishing and outdoors knowledge in order to leave our precious resources a little better than before.”