Jim with his trophies and one of a kind, custom engraved medallion designed by Holly McHone Jewelry in Astoria |
63-year old Captain Jim Simpson takes the title with a perfect score.
By Liz McMaster
Fri, 14 Sep 2012 |
Hammond, Oregon - Every year, the Captain Phil Harris Highliner Competition is held in conjunction with the Commercial Fishermen’s Festival. The 2012 Commercial Fishermen’s Festival was held in Hammond, Oregon September 8 & 9. Fishermen arrive from California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska to size up the competition and exhibit their prowess before an audience of their peers. While it might take a real fisherman to appreciate a perfect web sewing technique or a spotless crab line splice, the audience of onlookers will all gain respect for the physical efforts and skills displayed within the competition.
Jim Simpson (left), 63 Overall Highliner of the Year and Highliner 40 & Over with the 40& Under Highliner winner, Kenneth McMaster, 23 |
Jim with his son Ryan Simpson, second place finisher in the competition |
Jim Simpson is 63 and hails from Surprise, Arizona. He is currently the captain of a processing vessel Ocean Fresh based out of Petersburg, Alaska. Jim is the father of five sons. He got his start in the fishing industry by camping out in a gravel pit in Dutch Harbor in December of 1969. He has fished the Bering Sea out of Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Alaska Peninsula, Port Moller, and Bering River. Jim has owned several fishing boats over the years, the last of which was the “Westward” a family operated vessel. The five boys were raised on the boat.
the coveted Highliner of the Year medallion, given only for the Overall winner. for the first time ever in the history of CFF, this medallion goes to a 40 & Over competitor |
When asked if and when he will retire from fishing, Jim says, “My retirement plan involves staying healthy enough to surf when I’m 90.”
For his efforts, Jim took home two trophies (Over 40 and Overall), $1000 cash, Grunden’s gear and a one of a kind engraved medal designed by Holly McHone Jewelry of Astoria. The Captain Phil Harris Highliner Competition is sponsored by Grunden’s, Holly McHone, Englund Marine.
For more information:
Commercial Fishermen’s Festival PO Box 154 Astoria, Oregon 97103 503-791-8703 or
office@commercialfishermensfestival.com www.commercialfishermensfestival.com