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Across his six decades in Jackson, John Simms will be remembered for his inventions in avalanche safety gear and fishing accessories. Which one comes to mind first, depends on the pocket of Jackson you ask first. 

He died of cancer June 2 at the age of 89. 

Skiers will remember Simms as one of the two S’s to make the first ski descent of S&S couloir at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Avalanche professionals will remember his pioneering safety gear, like the collapsible ski pole-probe and shovel. 

Later in life, he turned to sculpture. The large, red metal bison he crafted welcomes visitors to Teton Village.

But he’s best known for starting the world-renowned brand, Simms Fishing Products. His invention of neoprene waders brought more anglers to the water and Simms to fishing world fame. 

As his entrepreneurial life quieted down, his homelife got noisier — with swan songs. Simms, and his wife Barbara, spoke with KHOL in August 2024 about turning their backyard pond into a refuge for wintering swans, as part of Wyoming Wetlands Society’s restoration program. 

To hear more conversation, visit 891khol.org or tune in to today’s newscast at the top of the hour on 89.1 FM. 

📸: Jenna McMurtry / KHOL

The largest lake in Grand Teton National Park could be a puddle as downstream Idaho irrigators draw down the reservoir. Kathy Lynch, Wyoming water policy advisor for Jackson Hole Trout Unlimited, talks with State of Jackson co-host Frederick Reimers about why fish might find a silver lining this year and how conservationists are fighting to keep water where it is.

State of Jackson airs Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Tune in live or download wherever you get your podcasts.

📸: Jeff Gunn / Flickr
🎥: River footage, Sophia Boyd-Fliegel / KHOL; Jackson Lake footage, Vinod Baht M /