Fish cave? Fly gallery? Dog house?
Center of knowledge? Our place.
John and Shirley Hagan opened NW Flyfishing Outfitters in May 1993. There son Jack Hagan joined the business in the Fall of 1994. They have seen many changes in the sport and industry over this time period and have never (almost never) regretted the decision to open the store. If asked they would tell you the most suprising aspect of the business is the relationships formed with they're customers. "Our regular clientel isn't just a customer to us, they're family. You can't quantify how valuable that is", says Jack Hagan. The store originally sat 3 miles East of it's current location. The new store is in the ideal building for a fly shop, the only thing missing is a freestone river flowing by the front deck of their "A" frame building.
John Hagan
Now in semi-retirement mode, you will not see John in the store very often. The quintessential trout bum, John loves the free flowing streams of western Montana, if he had his way he would live there April through September. John has traveled and fished quite extensively over his 60+ years. In 1987 just six years before founding NWFFO, he took a years sabbatical and fished all over the Western US and Canada. But trout isn’t his only love, he makes at least one annual trip to the flats every year. It was his dream of owning a fly shop that made NWFFO a reality.
Shirley Hagan
The nicest little “old” lady in the business. Although now mostly retired, she has always been that smiling face that made you feel right at home in the store. Like John, Shirley is not in the store very often these days. When she is, you’ll know, she’ll be the one who earnestly and patiently listens with a beaming smile. Shirley’s favorite fishing is on still water, where John will tell you that more often than not she out fishes him with ease!
Jack Hagan
In addition to managing the store, Jack has been guiding Oregon’s premier wild fish waters since 1996. For someone who grew up to manage a fishin’ store, Jack started his fishing life at a disadvantage, having gone straight from a snoopy rod to a fly rod at an early age. Though Jack enjoys fishing for anything that swims, wild Steelhead and Chum Salmon are really what gets his blood boiling. Jack has fished all over the West, Florida, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and the South Seas. Where the old men in the shop (John and Jack L.) would tell you that Montana is the Fly Fishing Mecca, Jack would vote for British Columbia with its bountiful runs of anadromous fish. Jack also enjoys hosting Fly Fishing trips, so keep your eyes open here on our web site or in the shop. His next hosted trip may be the one you have always dreamed about. No matter where you’re headed with your fly rod, NWFFO’S “Jack of all fishes” can be of assistance.
Matt McCrary
Steelhead fanatic! No understatement here, Matt’s life revolves around those chrome ocean migrating missiles. His legendary ability to do things with a two-handed rod that others only dream of and his knowledge of steelhead make him your best choice of guides in the pursuit of Steelhead. His passion for steelhead doesn’t end on the river, his fly tying skills and style will entice you almost as much as they do the fish. In addition to working and guiding for NWFFO, Matt operates “McCrary Outfitters offering guided trips on the Clackamas and North Santiam Rivers.
Jason Osborn
Jason, a master fly tyer from an early age, has been tying flies for shops throughout the Northwest since high school. Jason’s true passion will always be trout, but most of his days off are spent chasing steelhead on the Kalama River in Washington. In addition to working in the store, teaching tying classes, and guiding for us in Oregon, Jason operates his own Guide service “Ozcast Guide Service” in Washington focusing on the Kalama and Klickitat Rivers.
Jack Lynch
The “old” guy, Jack Lynch is mainly here to make everyone else feel young. Jack’s first love is fishing soft hackles for antything with gills. His preference is white fish, but at his age, he’ll take what he can get. Jack is our tying materials buyer, if your looking for an obscure material he’s the guy to ask. Just make sure you do it on Saturday, he’s off fishing or doing “Wifey” projects the rest of the week.
John Wall
“Scuba” John, has been chasing redsides on the Deschutes for the last 18 years, and is a wealth of knowledge for your next trip over. It certainly doesn’t hurt that his wife, Monica’s grandparents are full time residents of Maupin, where a warm bed and a hot meal waiting are for him when he gets off the river. He started Steelheading with a fly a few years ago, and is now driven in the pursuit of Iron with a two-hander. An avid boater he has extensive experience floating and jet boating a lot of our home waters. So next time your in don’t be afraid to pick his brain, I’m sure you’ll find him to be very helpful.