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JIM SIMONELLI




Jim Simonelli

2025 PA Steelhead Association Fall Run Picnic Honoree

Jim Simonelli is a long-time resident of Girard, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife, Kathy, have shared 51 years of marriage. Together they have raised two children, Brad and Laura, and are proud grandparents to four grandchildren.

After graduating from Strong Vincent High School, Jim served two years in the U.S. Navy, followed by an additional four years in the Naval Reserves. His professional career began at American Sterilizer, where he worked for 37 years—first as a machinist and later as a quality control inspector during his final decade with the company. He went on to manage the fishing equipment department at Gander Mountain for 11 years and worked at Ultimate Angler, deepening his lifelong passion for fishing and readily sharing it with others.

Jim started fishing in 1955. He was introduced to steelhead in 1971 by Bob Hetz, one of the original founders of 3-CU. In the 1980s, he became an active member of both the Gem City Outdoorsmen and Trout Unlimited (TU). His contributions to TU included helping establish a fund that launched the Oil Creek chapter and supporting efforts to designate parts of Oil Creek as Delayed Harvest areas. For several years, he co-chaired the local Trout Unlimited banquet, one of the region’s most popular conservation events.

In 1988, Jim served as president of 3-CU and held a director’s position with the Gem City Outdoorsmen. In 1992, he started the Gem City Fly Tiers with several students from his Outdoor Adventures Fly Shop. Among his many initiatives, he helped launch the Landowners Fruit Basket Program, which built goodwill with private property owners and supported stream access for anglers. During his 4 years of service on the Girard Borough Council, he played a direct role in creating two angler parking lots on Elk Creek—at Old Route 20 and North Creek Road—providing vital access for the fishing community.

Beyond fishing and conservation, Jim has pursued a variety of other interests. He is an avid archery hunter, has raced motocross bikes competitively, worked as the vineyard master at Buccia Winery in Conneaut, Ohio, and is a fantastic cook.

Through his life-long dedication to family, community, and the outdoors, Jim Simonelli has built a legacy of service, stewardship, and leadership that continues to enrich northwest Pennsylvania.


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PA Steelhead Association

PO Box 8892 Erie, PA 16505

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