Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Pro Staff

Richard Simms

Richard Simms is the Executive Producer for WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9 in Chattanooga. He is also a freelance outdoor journalist providing material for Chattanooga newspapers and a wide variety of other outdoor publications. He also operates Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. in Chattanooga. He is looking forward to sharing all the great fishing and other outdoor opportunities the Tennessee Valley has to offer.

In his own words...

Born right here in Chattanooga , I grew up with a bow and arrow in my hand.

My parents were avid outdoors people who organized the Tennessee Archery Association, spearheaded the effort to create a special archery season for hunters, and spent many days afield every Fall.

During the Spring we turned our attention to bowfishing on Chickamauga Lake. Dad was not an avid angler, but he kept me on the water regularly nonetheless. It wasn’t long before I occasionally put down the bow and picked up a fishing rod. I’ve never looked back.

My love for the outdoors led me first to a career in conservation. After obtaining a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management, I went to work for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency as a wildlife officer, better known as a game warden in Marion County (and on Nickajack Lake). Soon my interest in journalism led me to a job as a photographer and public relations officer for TWRA out of Nashville headquarters.

Along came children and the desire to come back to my hometown to be close to family and friends. That led to a second career as a professional broadcast journalist for the local ABC affiliate.

But the love for spreading the message of conservation never left. Since 1984 I have worked “on the side” as an outdoor writer, providing outdoor material for local newspapers, as a correspondent for the Tennessee’s Wild Side TV program, and providing outdoor material for a variety of other publications.

Now as Chattanooga blossoms into a city that revolves around the Tennessee River, there is a great wish to share those experiences with others. Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. truly is a labor of love.