About Big Y Fly Co

Big Y Fly Co began in Maupin OR on the banks of the Deschutes River in 2004. We began with just one fly supplier who has been with us now for 17 years. Today we employ 12 people in our warehouse and fly shop in downtown Hood River; right next to the infamous Full Sail Ale Brewery and Pub. We ship orders and open our fly shop 10 hours a day seven days a week.

We are frequently asked where our flies our tied. And the answer is Kenya. We use our own tiers, and we tie to the highest standards using the highest quality materials, always striving to add new patterns, and tie a fly that will be durable, have perfect proportions, and enhance your day on the water.

Most of our tiers have been with us for over ten years, through the years we have seen their children get educations, their standard of living improve, and their overall quality of life is better than before they came to work for Big Y Fly Co. We have helped them through medical emergencies, family deaths, and other life-changing events that are also expensive. They are valued as partners as well as friends. I like to call us the hardest working folks in the fly-fishing industry. We work hard to earn your business and get the most for your fly-fishing dollar. And we stand behind every product we sell. And I don't mean three miles behind them, either. If you are ever unhappy with your purchase, call or email, and we will make it right.

Big Y Flies can also be found at numerous local shops, and retailers. We are also proud to support many fundraising events at local conservation chapters, and organizations that teach and support fly-fishing. Not to mention our own annual events supporting Casting for Recovery and Project Healing waters.

We cannot thank you enough for all your support through the years. Fish on!

Happy Customer links: Photo Album Testimonials

To see where all our brands of flies are tied, click here.

	Cameron Larsen began fly fishing in the 70s, before graphite fly rods, before strike indicators, before beadheads, and before Rio Lines. How on Earth did we do it?? By using a Fenwick glass rod, a Pflueger Medalist reel, Cortland 444 Peach, Rubber Hip Boots, and lots of Hare's Ears, Muddlers, and Mosquitos. A ten-year stint of tying flies as a side gig came to an end when a neck vertebra (C3) swelled up to the size of a golf ball. Big Y Fly Co was launched after a particular night of soul-searching while on a Deschutes River float trip.
	Sharron Allen was the first employee at Big Y Fly Co. If you have ordered from us before, chances are she has helped fill one of your orders. While not a fly fisher, she has been married to one (Cameron) long enough to understand the intricacies of a fly fisher. She will also tell you what an uphill battle it is keeping a fly fisher organized, so if you need help in that department, she might be a good one to ask.
	Kelley Diwan has been living in the Gorge for over a decade now. She packs and processes orders, answers emails, helps out in the shop. She is also our activities' director, scheduling pie day, eggstrvaganza, happy hour nights, etc. She has property on the coast, and spends many weekends there with her friends, the bears. With her residence up near the Mount Adams area she is typically the first to know whether Goose Lake or Takhlakh Lake are accessible.
	Matt Duce is a true fly fishing junkie, there is no off season for Matt. Catches trout and steelhead in the snow, bass in the spring, lake trout in the summer, coho in the fall. Matt easily fishes the most days of anyone in the shop. He also teaches fly tying classes and makes how to videos; he frequently shows up on our social media with nice fat fish. Like Jarrod; Matt is always upbeat, never has a bad thing to say.
	Jarrod Holmes is the consummate outdoorsmen, he does it all, fishes, hunts, crabs, clams, mushrooms, even truffle hunts with his dogs. Like his outdoors activities he is a jack of all trades at Big Y Fly Co. Works on newsletters, in the shop, shipping, processes most of the returns. His energy and upbeat attitude are always appreciated.
	Ben Larsen grew up in Maupin fly fishing the Deschutes River. He spends the majority of his time in the office ordering products, working on the website and answering emails. If you find an error on the site this is most likely the guy to blame. Along with Cameron and Andrew, he helps with quality control on just about everything we sell. He also is responsible for designing many of our Big Y products, notoriously hard on his own gear, is one reason our gear is so tough. With experience fishing in the PNW and the occasional saltwater trip, he is a good person to talk to if you are planning a DIY trip.
	Toni Nash keeps things running in the office, she is the assortment queen, spending countless hours assembling fly assortments, and the thankless task of keeping flies organized. Toni is typically the one to remind us when we have forgotten to do something. With Sharron, she helps keep this group of messy fly fishers somewhat organized. When her or Sharron give a task, it gets done.
	Andrew Perrault is an avid steelhead fisherman, when there are steelhead to catch. He has spent a good amount of time guiding in Idaho, Oregon and Alaska. Along with backpacking in the Rockies, and an occasional saltwater trip, he is a good person to talk to when making that trip to Alaska, or the Baja, or Molokai, anywhere in between. If he hasn't fished it, chances are he can give you a good opinion on how to. He also helps in making sure every product we sell is up to par. When he's not on the phone or in the shop helping customers, he is typically sharing his advice on our blog. It is really hard to stump him on any fly fishing or fly tying topic, and if you can, he will find out.
	Hazel and Georgia, Big Y mascots and water bassets, keep the warehouse full of chewed up cardboard, and like to lie right where you need to be. They also offer affection and drool, a quick pat on the head or belly rub can help everyone's morale. Often greeted by shop customers and their dogs. If you hear one barking when you call or visit, that will be Georgia. On their days off they love white water rafting, camping and all things outdoors; preferably by the water, which works out well for all of us. Georgia is a prolific swimmer as long as she has her life jacket on. And both insist on sleeping on the most comfortable mats in the tent.