JIM RILEY’S STORY

I grew up in Minnesota and knew at a young age I wanted to try to earn a living in the outdoors.  I went fishing whenever the opportunity presented itself.  In my early teens, my father decided it was time to get a quality fishing boat that could handle the rough water of legendary Mille Lacs Lake.  I read every fishing magazine I could get my hands on and soon discovered that Canada was the promised land where anglers could still catch giant northern pike, lake trout, and walleyes. I soon convinced my dad that we needed to take our boat on the twenty-hour journey to Lake Athapapaskow in Northern Manitoba.  The trip was a success!  In fact, I have gone back many times over the years and still find the fishing as good as it was back in the 80’s.  My desire to fish the world had started.  I attended college at UW-Stout and obtained a degree in Marketing Education.  I tried the corporate world and didn’t care for it.  My desire to be in the outdoors was too strong, so I began to search for opportunities in the hunting and fishing industry.  After a couple of guide/marketing jobs with established outfitters, Cabela’s had heard about me and invited me in for an interview.  The job was to be an International Consultant with their Outdoor Adventures division.  I jumped at the opportunity!

Cabela’s became my huge break in the industry.  Cabela’s went all-in on everything they did, and their hunting and fishing consulting agency was no exception.  From day one, I dove in and became a top-producing agent.  Sales were not the only duty.  Cabela’s was constantly searching the globe for the best hunting and fishing destinations. For several years I traveled to such locations on exploratory trips and hosted adventures.  At the time, I was one of two agents that specialized in worldwide fishing adventures.

After several years at Cabela’s, I had the desire to get back in the field and decided to delve into guiding full-time.  I moved to Colorado to guide hunting and fishing adventures.  I had the pleasure of guiding fly-fisherman at the famous Seven Lakes Lodge.  At the time, Seven Lakes Lodge was an Orvis Endorsed Lodge and visited by some of the most elite fishing clients I have ever met!

Colorado was amazing, but the pinnacle of guiding for any United States resident is guiding in Alaska!  I contacted Master Guide Justin Johns and was soon packing my bags for Alaska! I spent two years guiding in Alaska and loved every minute of the adventure.

I now have over two decades of guiding and consulting experience.  My journeys have taken me all over the world and I am truly blessed to live this life.   I, along with my retired Air Force Major wife Jane, and our two dogs, split time between Northern Wisconsin and the Crystal River area of Florida.

I am ready to help you plan your next corporate or personal fishing adventure.  We also offer hosted trips.  These are great when you can’t get a group together and want to enjoy the savings of joining a larger group.  I always pass the savings on to my clients.  Our Kodiak Island trip started with six anglers; in 2022, we had fourteen.  For 2023 we have 23 spots.  Future trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada are in the works.

WHY CHOOSE WILDFISH EXPEDITIONS?

Over thirty years of experience.  WILDFISH EXPEDITIONS owner Jim Riley has been guiding and arranging fishing expeditions for clients to premier destinations for over two decades.

We complete Bucket-Lists.  We have the lines-in-the-water experience in the regions of the World we represent.  When you arrange your dream trip with our team you will have our undivided attention.  When you work with us you work with the owner of the company.

Pre-trip planning.  We are not satisfied until you are back home and sharing photos and stories with us!  We take the time to assist you in everything from tackle and clothing selection to where to eat if you have a night in town before you head to the “lodge.”

We are true consultants.  We take the time to get to know our clients and understand what they want out of a trip.  We ask questions and offer options based on the information our clients share with us.  One of our goals is to become your first call when you start thinking about the next expedition.

Customized trips.  Sure we represent some of the best lodges and outfitting operations throughout the globe but many times the perfect trip doesn’t exist.  Some of the best Captains and guides choose to work independently of a lodge. That’s where we step in!  We create a full-service package where we combine the best Captains and guides with the best food and lodging. Some of these trips offer an amazing value.

No extra cost to you! We never charge more than if you booked directly with our outfitting partners.  In fact, in many cases, we negotiate a special rate for our hosted trips and promotional trips which we pass along to our clients.