James Dillard, student teacher for Bryant Turney, is 22 years old with a passion for world history and a hobby that takes him to faraway places.


When he’s not teaching world history, Dillard is probably fishing. Sometimes at home, sometimes with famous people, or sometimes in Alaska like he did last summer.

“Being in the mountains of Alaska is breathtaking; there is not a place on Earth that could be more beautiful. Fishing in streams of crystal clear water with mountains dropping into them was amazing,” he said.

He met his fair share of people while in the state.


“I was able to fish with famous people and make lifelong friendships with those that I worked with,” said Dillard. “I fished with [award winning nature photographer] Seth Casteel, his brother, and his dad fishing in Alaska this past summer.”


For Dillard, fishing is more than just putting food on the table. It’s also a way of connecting with family and making memories.


“I will always cherish the time I have spent fishing with my brother and my dad,” he said. “I have fished my entire life with them and we have been able to create a lifetime of memories while fishing from Arkansas to Alaska. The love of fishing with them was what led to my career as a fishing guide.”


Dillard was able to turn his love of fishing into a business by starting up a fishing company.


“I was able to take over 200 fishing trips [in 2013],” said Dillard. “My business has grown tremendously this past year, and 2014 is looking like it will be even better.”

Dillard now runs his own fishing guide service, Tailwater Fishing Co.


His love first started as a high school job for a local fishing lure company.


“I started working for a fishing lure company, Lelaul’s Lures, when I was in high school. The owner was a close family friend. Eventually, he let me start guiding clients of his on the Little Red River. I immediately fell in love with being a fishing guide,” Dillard said. “I continued to work for Lelaul’s Lures for several years, until I was able to buy my own boat and start my own fishing company.”


Running a business is not an easy task, and it certainly does have its advantages and disadvantages.

“The business is always calling, so no matter where I am I will still get phone calls or emails,” he said. “But the freedom to do what I want to do [is one of the best parts of running your own business.] I can work when I want to and take off when I want to.”


When Mr. Dillard isn’t fishing or running his own business, he is teaching.


“I enjoy history and love telling others about it. History is one long story and it tells us where we come from,” he said. “I am fascinated with learning things about our past and I want to pass that along to others.”


The students in Coach Turney’s world history class aren’t the only ones learning.

Dillard said, “The one thing I have learned throughout the whole endeavor is that dreams really do come true, you just have to go for them.”