Meet the Staff and Guides: Local Knowledge... Expert Advice
The staff and guides of Troutwater 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 and Ellensburg 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 - Guide, Fly Shop, Owner
 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.
Johnny Boitano - Head Guide, Fly Shop, Owner
 Johnny is arguably the most revered, respected and requested fly fishing guide in the Pacific Northwest. Johnny has been guiding full time in Washington since 2000. He was born and raised in Ellensburg, where his love of the outdoors first began. In 1989 he and his family moved to Arlington, Washington home of the famous Stillguamish, Suak and Skagit Rivers. He spent many years chasing and guiding for Sea-run Cutthroat, Dollies and Steelhead. Johnny moved back to Ellensburg to attend Central Washington University where he was on an academic scholarship and played football. While in college Johnny worked for one of the local fly shops. He ended up managing and guiding for this shop for over two years. After learning the ropes Johnny started his own business and guided for several outfitters throughout the industry. From years of experience he has established many close relationships with industry professionals.
Johnny is also an upland bird hunting guide and has been training his English Setter Ginger. Ginger is a great pointer and it is a pleasure to hunt over a dog that sees as many field days as she does.
Johnny comes from a long line of teachers, coaches and football players. His father and grandfather are members of the Washington State High School Football Coach's Hall of Fame. So it’s no surprise where he gets his talent to instruct. His competitive background combined with a gentle but assertive ability to coach anglers on the fly makes him one of Troutwater Guide Services biggest assets.
Ted Truglio - Guide, Fly Shop, Owner
Ted was born into the fly fishing industry. While growing up his dad was the National Sales Manager/ VP for Fenwick. He was born and raised close to most of the great trout water in the state of California. After Graduating from San Ramon High School in Northern California Ted moved to Lake Tahoe. Ted first started guiding when he was 18 on Lake Tahoe and many of the surrounding high mountain lakes and streams. After attending Lake Tahoe Community College Ted transferred to the University of Montana to complete his education. Ted attended University of Montana from 1992 – 1996 where he earned a bachelors degree in Business/Management with an emphasis in Finance.
After 10+ years in Seattle area and having started a young family Ted and his wife Sarah decided they wanted to raise their boys in the country. In 2007 they moved to Ellensburg full time where Ted started guiding again. This is where Ted and Johnny meet and decided they wanted to start their own company.
Like Johnny, Ted also has a passion for the outdoors and when not on the river you will find him upland bird hunting. He has a young English Setter, Lucy, who Ted and Johnny are in the initial stages of training.
Ted and his wife Sarah live in Ellensburg with their two boys Jack and Cole.
Jason Boitano - Guide, Ellensburg Shop Manager
Jason has a very similar background to Johnny’s and considering they are brothers this shouldn’t be a surprise. Jason and Johnny where lucky enough to grow up in the country with a strong and supportive family. Jason is a Central Washington University graduate where he currently teaches a fly fishing course. Jason was also the owner of the Evening Hatch Fly Shop for the past 3 years. Jason has a vast amount of knowledge he is bringing to Troutwater from the guiding and retail side of the business. Jason has a long and loyal following that looks to Jason for anything fly fishing related. Jason has been a fly fishing guide for the past 7 years and is looking forward to joining Troutwater where he can spend more of his time on the water.
Scott Wilson - Sr Guide, Fly Shop
Scott grew up on the Yakima River in Ellensburg Washington fly fishing and playing baseball. After graduating from Lewis-Clark State College with a degree in Kinesiology, Scott was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scott was forced split his time between with two passions, playing catcher and catching trout.
Now, Scott spends his summers guiding on the Big Hole River in Montana, and in the spring, fall and winter can be found all over the Pacific Northwest and Alaska guiding for trout and steelhead. Scott has been guiding full time for over 8 years. He is hands down one of the nicest, funniest, hardworking and most talented guides you may ever have the pleasure of spending a day with on the river. As if all of that wasn't enough, Scott is also a fly designer for Montana Fly Company. Scott is one of our most popular hosts for our destination travel program. Scott too has a wild appreciation for saltwater fly fishing.
Ryan White - Guide, Fly Shop
One of the nicest and best guys you will ever meet. He is also one of the craziest 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, Yakima River, Methow River and Wenatchee River. If you have questions about anything fly fishing related, Ryan usually has the answer whether it's correct or not.
Shane Merritt - Guide, Fly Shop
Randy Crimp - Guide, Fly Shop
Guy Drew - Guide, Fly Shop
Troutwater
Fly Shop/Guide Service/Outfitters
113 E. 1st Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Shop Phone: 509.674.2144
Mobile: 509.929.1357
E-mail: info@tightlinesangling.com |
