(Coming Soon)

Meet the Staff and Guides: Local Knowledge... Expert Advice

The staff and guides of the Yakima River Fly Shop pride themselves on having knowledge of the local waters and being able to provide useful advice to any and all anglers.

We hope you will find the fly shop in downtown Cle Elum to be inviting, friendly, comfortable and clean.  The shop emphasizes having everything a person needs to enjoy the local waters of the Yakima river drainage.  Where as most businesses stride to be bug-free.  Our shop, on the contrary, thrives on having as many bugs as physically possible.  Come see our 100's of dozens of flies.

Jim Gallagher, Owner, Guide, Janitor
Dropped out of the 8 AM - 5 PM, suit wearing, stuck in traffic world to become a full time fishing bum in 2002.  Why a fly fishing bum?  It's in the genes.  In the middle '70's, Jim's dad sold his successful photography business in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania along with most all of his possession, loaded his two young boys and wife in a Chevy pickup truck and moved the family to Missoula, Montana.  There was only one reason for this madness; the fishing was better!

As a proud graduate of Coeur d' Alene high school in Idaho, Jim moved to Ellensburg in 1985 to attend Central Washington University and play football.  He earned a Masters of Science in Human Nutrition from CWU and is a Registered Dietitian.  Significant work history includes healthcare administration and professor of nutrition at Bastyr University and CWU.  He has logged significant fishing time as a kid and adult on the streams and lakes of Western and SW Montana, North Idaho, Alaska and on the Yakima.
Washington Guide License #34788, Alaska Guide # , Montana Guide #11339
 

Sheila Gallagher, Owner
The real boss and brains of the business is Sheila, Jim's better half.  Having been raised in Cle Elum, she is familiar with the beautiful lakes and streams in the surrounding area. 

She graduated from Central Washington University with degrees in accounting and marketing.  She actually has a real job (thank God) as a Fiscal Analysis at Central. 

Because Sheila is in charge of most of the shop finances, good luck trying to get a bargain or making a deal when she is working.  Jim has spent a few nights on the couch after making deals in the shop, but if you are up to a challenge, give it a shot.

Scott Wilson, Lead Guide
Being a local Ellensburg guy, the fly shop is lucky to have Scott on board.  He is just one of those guys who can fish.  Taking a guided trip with Scott and you will have a guy that will work his tail off to get you fish.  The shop always receives thank you cards and emails from clients on Scott's behalf acclaiming the wonderful job he did as their guide.

Scott played baseball at Lewis and Clark State in Lewiston, ID and at CWU where is holds the school record for consecutive games with a base hit.  He's a graduated from LC State with a degree in kinesiology.

Washington Guide # 35375  Montana Guide #11763

Charlie Cooper, Guide
Having been one of the original Yakima River Guides, Charlie has been on the river since 1987.  The fly shop is very fortunate to be associated with such an experienced guide.  Because he has spent most of his adult life in a drift boat on the Yakima river, Charlie brings a strong local knowledge of hatches, where to find fish, and very unique fly fishing techniques.  Techniques that most people would never consider and only comes with spending as much time on the water as Charlie has over his career.

In addition to Washington waters, Charlie has been a professional guide in Montana, Alaska and Chile.  He has a Bachelors degrees in political science and history from Central Washington University.  He also very familiar with dynamite and blowing up snow from his avalanche control days with the ski patrol.
Washington Guide #

 

Ryan White, Shop Manager, River Guide, Alaskan Guide, #1 db
Ryan is the man.  One of the nicest and best guys you will ever meet.  He is also one of the best trout bums you will ever meet.  Ryan does a lot of fishing during the off-season when he is not guiding.  During the guiding season, Ryan can be found on the waters of the Wood-Tikchik Lakes in SW Alaska.  If you have questions about anything fly fishing related, Ryan usually has the answer whether it's correct or not.

Washington Guide #119677

Shawn Bechtol, Guide and Shop Guy
Shawn is returning to the fly shop in 2008 for his second year.  He did great work in the shop, guiding the Yakima and working the leopard bows on the Kanektok in Alaska in 2007.  He's been studying hard on his biology degree all winter at Eastern Washington University and needs to get back to being a trout bum.

Washington Guide #

Jeff Comella, Guide

Judy Graham, Guide and Casting Instructor
Judy brings great instructional expertise to the Yakima River Fly Shop as our only Certified Casting Instructor by the Federation of Fly Fisher on staff.  She is a member and the current president of Northwest Women Flyfishers, where her primary focus is on teaching fly fishing, writing educational articles and helping organize educational and conservation activities. Judy is also a member of Trout Unlimited, South Sound Fly Fishers and the Federation of Fly Fishers and has taught casting and basic streamside entomology for the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), the Casting for Recovery Retreat (for women recovering from breast cancer), as well as numerous private lessons.  Her experience on the Yakima river goes back more than 18 years.  She even has a cabin on the river outside of Cle Elum.

Judy graduated from the University of Puget Sound with an Art History major and a Recreation Management minor. She spent most of her professional life with the City of Olympia managing the recreation and facility sections of the Olympia Parks and Recreation Department. In an effort to spend more time enjoying life, she now works four days a week managing a dental office.
Washington Guide #