John and Shirley Hagan opened NW Flyfishing Outfitters in May 1993. Their 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 their 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 current 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.
Meet the Dogs
Calhoun - Golden Retriever
Bentley - Boxer/Bulldog
Goodnight - Lab/Golden
Fiver - Pug
John Hagan 11/10/43 - 10/18/2013
Our founding father, It was John’s dream that made NWFFO a reality. He was a well traveled & accomplished angler. Though he spent many days wading the flats, step casting down Steelhead runs, popping big hair bugs for Bass, he really was the quintessential “trout bum”. Spending a minimum of 3 weeks a year in Montana, John was most at home when he was knee deep in a trout stream. We lost Dad one month before his 70th birthday to a massive stroke. We still miss his vast knowledge of of fish and fly fishing, his keen sense of business, and mostly his smile.
Shirley Hagan
The nicest little “old” lady in the business. Although now retired, she has always been that smiling face that made you feel right at home in the store. These days she’s only in the shop to visit. 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 would have told you that more often than not she out fished 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.
John Jones AKA - Jonsey
Jonsey has been in the fly fishing trade a long time. He has been involved in guiding, instruction, manufacturing, retail, and fish/angler enhancement as of late. Along with fishing he is a very accomplished musician & photographer and lately you can find him on the motocross track, coaching son racing dirtbikes. Jonsey is one of those people you encounter in life that seems to accel at anything he touches. College educated in law, journalism, and psychology, and has a ton of knowlage on most subjects you want to bring up to him. He quickly became part of the NWFFO family and often teaches the young bucks around the shop a thing or two about catching fish.
Eric Leininger
Eric is a busy guy. He is our Tying Materials buyer her at the shop. He is the marketing manager for Goodnews River Lodge” in Alaska, where he also guides in the summer. Eric guides for steelhead and trout here in Oregon and he guides the Grand Ronde in Washington. An “Eliete Ambassador” for G. Loomis Rods and one of the few Pro Staff members for Hatch Outdoors. He has a huge knowledge base for anything that swims in Pacific NW and can help you get hooked up on our fine finned critters.
Ken Janoff
Ken recently retired and jumped at the opportunity to work part time at NWFFO and start a second career. Jonsey needed someone more his vintage with similar leanings in the shop. He has known the Hagan family since they opened NWFFO and has been a loyal supporter and friend. He is excited to start this new phase in his life. He has been a long time outdoor enthusiast; fly fishing and backpacking and enjoys photography. He grew up outside of Philly and came to Portland in 1978. He met his wife Karen here and they have 3 grown boys, 2 daughter in laws, a grandson and grand dog.
Brian Light
Brian brings a wealth of angling knowledge to the shop, especially in the saltwater game. Brian is the consummate angler who is just at home on a river fishing for trout and steelhead as he is on the flats chasing bonefish. He has traveled extensively, having fished the salt in 8 countries, fished the Skenna and its tributaries numerous times, he regularly competes in marlin and sailfish tournaments in North Carolina, Costa Rica, and Gutamalla. Though he is the newest member of the NWFFO crew, he has fished 2 or 3 lifetimes all ready. Brian teaches our beginning Flyfishing classes and guides as well. Brian is a classically trained chef (Graduate of CIA NY), and offers a “Gourmet” option to our guiding operation. If you have some business clients you wish to truly impress, Brian is your guide!
Finn Hagan
Finn is the 3rd generation Hagan to work in the shop. Currently enrolled in High School, Finn is an avid angler that also enjoys trap shooting (on the schools team), biking, riding 4-wheelers, and working on the farm (hahaha). Finn works in the shop most of the summer and on day’s he doesn’t have school. For a “snot nosed wet behind the ears punk kid”, he has gleaned a ton of knowledge from growing up in a fly shop. If he doesn’t have the answer, he’s determined to find it for you. Refreshingly, he loves to fish for anything that swims, he spends most of his time fishing for bass and trout in the Willamette Valley.
Colby Olson
AKA Robbie, AKA The Caddis Cowboy, whatever you want to call him, He's our go to guy with website and technological device issues. An avid angler, he'll fish for damn near anything but only in the purest forms possible... All joking aside, Colby is really a well rounded angler and conservationist who typically has his finger on the pulse of what's happening in the northwest with fish and fisheries issues. Though his is a more "behind the scenes" job, he's always willing to help out with advice when he's in the store.
Jack Lynch
The “old” guy, Jack Lynch is on retainer as our counselor. We cherish his advice, even when we don’t ask for it. Jack’s first love is fishing soft hackles for anything with gills. His preference is white fish, but at his age, he’ll take what he can get. Jack was our tying materials buyer for many years. Now that he’s retired, he splits his time between fishing, grandchildren, and taking the marvelous Martha Kaye to lunch.
