I moved to bend oregon in 1977 from iowa,being a hunter and fisherman along the Mississippi River and not knowing anyone I was a little lost,and then I noticed a place called the fly and tackle shop where Jim dexter and freind Terry started this new shop even with a in-store gun smith,started hanging out with these Characters they were Just having their grand opening. The main prize was a complete fendwick fly fishing outfit,they kept telling to sign up for the drawing told them I didn't know how to fly fish, jim told me if I won he would give me lessons so I did.one day the phone rang it was jim guess what you won,and true to his word that spring 78 he started teaching me starting with the basics to the single and double haul,he always amazed me how far he could cast a fly line,from fishing to hunting ducks and geese, he would tell people that I could talk to ducks and geese like people talk to each other, I was a certified marine mechanic so I always kept he's boat in tip top shape and in turn he keep me stocked up with his personal Flys and one's he wanted me to test,I still have that  Fenwick rod and many of his personal flys and millions of memories thank you .

I met him once in his shop in lapine back in the early late late 80s early 90s, through a kid I went to school with, his name was Steve ( we called him slick).. Dexter was his mentor for quite some time. .. I was the outcast fisherman Dexter said (known for putting worms on flys and catching (Giants)... Dexter was beside himself over hearing this . 😂.

Dexter was an angel, best friend , hero, and  an awesome uncle to my wife and I. His memory lives on. We will truly miss him. Its extremely difficult to not cry everyday when I think about him.  He was a remarkable fisherman and an amazing fishing guide. His name will forever go down In central Oregon history as a legend. I loved listening to all of his extremely exciting stories. He had so many to tell never the same one twice. Dex you were and always will be loved and missed. R.I.P.  I called you to talk to you about the boat motor I picked up for the boat you gave me an awesome trailer to haul it with to find out you had already passed which was devastating, and crushing to find out. My family loved you so much. I'm so glad you are no longer in such extreme pain. R.I.P! 

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James Benton Dexter

August 2, 1943 – December 23, 2021

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