June 13, 2024
After an exhaustive hiring process, WaterWatch is happy to announce the hiring of Jesse Robbins, who started work this week in WaterWatch of Oregon’s newly-created development officer position.
A graduate of Bates College in Maine, Jesse received a B.A. in economics with studies that culminated in a thesis that examined the economic benefits of the removal of the Edwards Dam from the Kennebec River in 1999. After college and following a stint working for L.L.Bean, adventure and parts unknown beckoned and Jesse ventured to New Zealand for an extended fishing holiday.
Returning to the States, Jesse worked as a fly fishing guide at the 4UR Ranch in Creede, Colorado, before accepting a job at Far Bank Enterprises — the umbrella company for the fly fishing brands Sage, Redington, RIO Products, and Fly Water Travel — on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound near Seattle. In total, Jesse spent 11 years at Far Bank, holding roles in product development, marketing, travel, and sales.
In addition to his career in the fly fishing industry Jesse also works as a freelance writer, and his essays, yarns, and journalism have appeared in The Flyfish Journal, The Drake, Trout, Swing the Fly, Atlantic Salmon Journal, Modern Huntsman, and other publications. He continues to serve as president of the Redsides Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Springfield, and sat on steering committees and consulted with the nonprofits Guiding for the Future and Science on the Fly. A frequent reader and occasional organizer of the Writers on the Fly event series, Jesse is also an ordained Dudeist priest.
As development officer, Jesse will expand connections with the WaterWatch community throughout the state, assist in our annual auction event, and support the organization’s work of protecting and restoring river flows in Oregon. He and his partner Stacey live near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers with their cache of boats, books, guitars, and fly rods.
Banner graphic by Monet Hampson.
