Paul Bruun

For the last 40 years Paul Bruun has been involved with daily and weekly newspapers between South Florida and Wyoming. During that time he also developed the South Fork Skiff low-profile drift boat and worked with SIMMS, Orvis, and Patagonia on outdoor product development. Since 1973 he has written the award-winning Outdoors column in the weekly Jackson Hole News & Guide and for the last 35 years has operated a personalized fly fishing float trip service on the Snake and surrounding Jackson Hole rivers.

Author Articles

Where Have All the Hippie Stompers Gone?

Need another fly pattern for your bulging box of favorites? After repeatedly overhearing a pair of guide pals, and then my wife, Jean, conspiratorially discussing this thing, well, I had to see the Hippie Stomper for myself. The name alone sends me into hysterics every time that I hear it. Unfortunately, when I followed directions to the whereabouts of this...

Fly Rods: "No More Pieces"

A long time friend who has spent many years as a saltwater backcountry guide recently questioned if I were still fishing mostly 2-piece rods? Either he was clairvoyant or had peeked at one of my recent outdoor columns accentuating this antiquated behavior. He freely admitted that his venerable 2-piece, 9-ft. GLX Loomis 7-wgt. (later sold as The Classic...

Flies: Nothing Welcomes Fall Like a Shakey

Frank Beals was one of the only park rangers in my recollection who knew fly fishing. Sadly, I was never fortunate enough to meet angling scribe and “Trout” author Ray Bergman’s Yellowstone National Park legend, ranger Walter “Scotty” Chapman. So my ancient memory of Beals’ kindness at the West Entrance will have to do. Because he loved...

Clear Fly Line Provides Hidden Advantages

STEALTH HAS ITS PLACE, especially in the outdoors. Witness the growing popularity of the camouflage garment business and the extra money bow and rifle hunters are investing in scent blocker boots, pants and shirts that aid in stalking and still hunting, especially for whitetail deer and turkey. On the fishing front, fluorocarbon fishing line/leader sinks...