Tom Nelson

The Outdoor Line

The statement that someone “grew up on the water” may require a bit of qualification but it certainly applies to Tom Nelson. Nelly’s father; HL Nelson -a legendary angler in his own right, bought a 26-foot Steelcraft at the inaugural Seattle Boat Show and that boat was Tom’s introduction to the operation, maintenance and design of heavy-gauge powerboat hulls.  

Since 2010, Tom Nelson has logged over 70,000 miles in Duckworth and Weldcraft boats in the waters from Sitka, Alaska to coastal Oregon. This level of experience has been brought to bear in the conception, innovation and ultimately the design of the 28’ x 8’ Cuddy King, 30’ x 9’ OSXL and now the flagship of the fleet the  34’ x 11’ Duckworth Atlas. 

Tom “Nelly” Nelson has spent over a half-century on the waters, uplands and mountain ranges of his beloved home, the vast Pacific Northwest. For over the past two decades,  Nelly has been the host of “The Outdoor Line” a Seattle-based Saturday morning outdoor radio where his lifetime of hunting & fishing experience and his communication skills have been put to the test. In 2019, Salmon & Steelhead Journal named Nelly to it’s list of “The 25 Most Influential Anglers In The West.” From his childhood on the rivers and bays of Puget Sound to the salmon, herring and charter fishing fleets of Alaska, Tom has taken full advantage of all that the challenging outdoor classroom has to offer. 

Tom’s education as a fisherman continued at the University of Washington’s School of Fisheries, earning a Degree in Fisheries Biology. Nelly was subsequently employed by the school’s Fisheries Research Institute (F.R.I.) as a Research Assistant for several Alaskan salmon research projects allowing Tom to explore the Nushagak, Chignik, and Lake Iliamna regions.  

“Nelly’s” fishing career has included guiding and writing for Salmon Trout Steelheader, Salmon and Steelhead Journal, Fishing & Hunting News, Washington Game & Fish, The REEL News as well as several websites, YouTube videos and several TV shows.