Simms Fishing makes only the best fishing gear and clothing for anyone ranging from fishing guides to anglers. Making products that are the best in the world can only be accomplished through a company culture that is supportive of what the employees eat, sleep and breathe: fishing.
Diving Into the Values at Simms Fishing
Anglers Making Gear for Other Anglers
Simms Fishing started back in the '80s by fishing guide and ski patroller John Simms. While creating probes for his avalanche safety startup Life-Link, Simms started tinkering around with different accessories that would make his life as a fishing guide easier.
Today, Simms Fishing sells the best waders in the world all thanks to the anglers working there who not only produce the gear, but also try it out on their own fishing excursions.
Zippia spoke with Public Relations Director John Robert Frazier to find out more about the fishing-centered company culture.
Fish Often
Out for the Afternoon
Rest assured, employees at Simms Fishing are given standard benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance. But they're also given a chance to put a "Gone Fishin'" sign up on their desk.
From June through the end of October, the company hosts Fishing Fridays. As long as it's been cleared with your manager and you've worked a couple of extra hours that week, you are encouraged to take a half day each Friday to go fishing.
"It's a festive day every week just because people are buzzing around the office figuring out where everyone is going to fish," Frazier said. "It's like a kickoff to a long weekend."
They don't have to travel far either. There are plenty of places within an hour drive to fish, from Yellowstone River to the Shields River.
Employees are encouraged to fish in groups, but of course are welcome to go solo. The company has a core angling group of hard fishers who generally take new hires fishing with them. This is also a good time for prototypes to be tried out.
With a perk like that, it's easy to see why so many people love working there.
Fish Hard
Sharing a Passion
When Frazier wanted to get out of the publishing industry, he knew there would be only one place that could keep him in it.
"I got to know a few of the folks here and through speaking with those people decided that Simms would be the only brand that would make it worthwhile," he said. "If you're serious about fishing, you're going to want to use Simms to stay on the water longer and fish harder."
Being compared to the Coca Cola or Nike of the fishing industry makes it a very attractive company for many. At Simms Fishing they understand the sport is bolstered with rich, deep storytelling. It's more about the before and after the catch, than it is about the catch itself.
"We're all about having fun here. If you work here, you're automatically working with a group that shares your passion and interest," Frazier said. "What we do at work is the same thing we do after work."
So basically the company is made up of anglers who are making gear for other anglers. And being stationed in Montana, one of the best fishing areas in the world, makes it easy for those anglers to test their products.
Since Simms Fishing made the first breathable wader that's still considered the most innovative advancement the industry has ever seen, it's no surprise the company is the only fishing wader manufacturing facility left in the United States.
"The manufacturing facility is on the ground floor so that's what people first notice," Frazier said. "It's like sitting at the chef's table of a fancy restaurant in that they get to see the men and women building the best waders. And they're not just factory workers. They are out there using the products they build."
Fish It Well
Culture Built Around a Motto
Employees at Simms Fishing know one thing to be true: You get one life, fish it well. That's their motto. Which explains why making other people's fishing experiences only the best is such a huge focus in the company's culture.
The company is heavily involved with Casting for Recovery and Warriors and Quiet Waters , and that means more than just a check. They support these two organizations through the healing power of fishing. Frazier noted that the sport of fishing has been helpful for dealing with PTSD.
"It touches a lot of different things. There's a human interest side to what we do," Frazier said.
Simms Fishing also values producing products that will endure from season to season. They're constantly curious on how they can top themselves. And they promise the products have been rigorously tested to make sure they last.
After all, you only have one life so you might as well fish it well.