The Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop was born on the banks of Rock Creek during the summer of 1988. Founder, Jim Toth, ran the shop seasonally for two years out of an extra room in his home before moving the Grizzly Hackle to its current location in historic downtown Missoula in 1990. The shop grew quickly with a reputation for quality gear and service and some of the best guides around. Life-long friends Dan Shepherd, Steve Jensen and Ray Coleman bought the Grizzly Hackle in 2001. Then, after 15 seasons of continuing to build the Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, the shop was purchased by Brendan Bannigan on Dec 31, 2015. Brendan spent 7 years working at the shop as the retail manager, and his friendly manner and sincere enthusiasm has been a staple and huge asset. Brendan, as sole owner, continues to enhance and improve the Missoula fly shop, which many say is already one of the world’s best retail and online fly shops. Certainly, the Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop has been one of the premier fly shops and outfitting/guide services in the U.S. It has continually won best Missoula fly shop from both the Missoulian and Independent newspapers. Locals know it as a friendly shop for all types of fly fishers from beginners to seasoned veterans. The phrase Trout Mecca Missoula was coined at the Grizzly Hackle and they truly believe that there is no better place on earth to trout fish! Every fly fisher needs to go fly fishing in Missoula at least 1 time in their life, if not every year.