A long time outdoor sportsman, Jim has spent his formative years living a childhood dream at his parents retail tackle and wholes sale bait business, Rainbow Bait, in Battle Lake, Minnesota. His father, a retired USAF fighter pilot, Major LeRoy Edlund, introduced Jim to fishing. His childhood was filled with lots of fishing activities from attending sessions at the Lindner-owned Camp Fish to 4-H rod building and fly tying projects to name a few.
In Minnesota, Jim attained his B.A. in English from Carleton College and earned his masters in English from the University of St. Thomas; he admits cutting class when the fish were biting! Following graduate school, Jim served an internship as a writing instructor, and then a technical writer, senior copywriter, PR manager, and digital editor for North American Fisherman.
Since 2010, Jim has been on contract assignments for Traditions Media, creating PR for companies including Aqua-Vu, Frabill, Humminbird, Lund Boats, Minn Kota Motors, Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, Rapala, St. Croix Rods, Raymarine among others. He is also a freelance contributor to numerous fishing publications and other media.
Currently, Jim has been busy as a writer and “idea guy” for Lindner’s Angling Edge, AnglingBuzz and The Ontario Experience. He also co-hosts AnglingBuzz TV with Troy Lindner.
In his spare time, Jim is fishing — a lot of the time with his three children — and bringing fishing education programs to children and families, as Minnesota “Fishing’s Future” chapter organizer.
From ice fishing to fly fishing, panfish to predators, Jim’s a fan of whatever’s biting. Over the past few years, Jim has also taken to the burgeoning sport of kayak angling, exploring hard-to-reach waters across the country.
Jim also serves as a Minnesota DNR Panfish Panel member, helping steer panfish management and conservation efforts.