The best fishing advice almost always comes from your local fly shop. Want to know what’s hatching? Ask at the fly shop. Wondering how the river is flowing? Ask at the fly shop. Looking for a secret spot? Well, that you might have to find on your own. But chances are the folks at your local fly shop will point you in the right direction.
Much like Idaho’s rivers and streams, the best fly shops in Idaho are distinctive and unique. Each has its own special charm, and each provides essential gear and advice to help you catch more fish—or at least look good trying. These are some of our favorite fly shops in Boise, Sun Valley and beyond.
Idaho Angler – Boise, Idaho
Since 1993, Idaho Angler has been the premier fly shop in the Boise area. This shop was founded by a group of friends who are also dedicated anglers, and it shows. In addition to a well-stocked retail space with a great selection of flies, fly rods, reels and other assorted gear, Idaho Angler is always a reliable place to stop in for local fly fishing advice. Gear rentals are also available, and Idaho Angler hosts classes for all skill levels, including a highly informative fly-tying class. Staff guides also lead float trips and walk-and-wade excursions ranging from the Bose River in town to Snake, Teton and Owyhee rivers.
Snake River Fly Shop – Pocatello, Idaho
With its inviting storefront in the heart of Downtown Pocatello, Snake River Fly Shop is the place to gear up before fishing its namesake river. The shop is less than 30 minutes away from American Falls Dam, which marks the beginning of one of the Snake River’s most productive stretches. Friendly advice and top-shelf fly gear are always available here, along with a phenomenal selection of fly-tying materials. The shop’s website also offers fly-tying tutorials and up-to-date fishing reports for the Snake River and other Southeast Idaho waters.
Red Shed Fly Shop – Peck, Idaho
A 40-minute drive east of Lewiston and practically within casting distance of the Clearwater River, Red Shed Fly Shop is the antithesis of a sleek, modern fly shop. Red Shed Fly Shop—and it really is a red shed—is an eclectic, ramshackle space packed to the gills with all manner of fishing gear, tackle and equipment. Founder and owner Poppy Cummins is a local legend, and visiting the shop has been a pilgrimage for steelheaders for decades. If he isn’t at the counter, chances are he’s in the back fixing a broken rod. Anyone interested in swinging flies with a spey rod should visit Red Shed Fly Shop before fishing the Clearwater.
Sun Valley Outfitters – Ketchum, Idaho
Easily one of the best fly shops in Idaho’s Sun Valley region, Sun Valley Outfitters is an outstanding source of gear and advice in the Ketchum and Big Wood River area. Locally owned and staffed by experienced anglers, this shop is where you’ll find out what’s hatching and biting on the Bog Wood. In addition to a well-appointed retail space, Sun Valley Outfitters also hosts fly fishing clinics and employs a team of seasoned staff guides who lead fishing trips throughout the Sun Valley Region.
Salmon River Fly Box – Salmon, Idaho
Salmon River Fly Box sits just a few blocks from the Salmon River on Main Street in Salmon, Idaho. Fly fishing gear and supplies are just the tip of the iceberg at this store, which is the only full-service fly shop for miles around. You’ll find pretty much everything you could ever need here—flies and fly-tying materials, waders and apparel, lines, leaders and tippets—plus friendly staff who are always more than happy to dole out helpful advice. Salmon River Fly Box also has its own reliable guide service, plus fly tying classes and casting lessons. Their online store will ship gear anywhere within the U.S. and Canada.
TRR Outfitters – Ashton, Idaho
Operated in association with Three Rivers Ranch, an iconic fishing lodge near Henry’s Fork in Eastern Idaho, TRR Outfitters boasts an unbeatable selection of fly fishing equipment. TRR Outfitters has expanded to multiple locations across Idaho, including Eagle, Driggs, and Island Park, but the Ashton location is a perennial favorite. Located 15 minutes from the ranch and 5 minutes from lower Henry’s Fork, the shop is staffed by dyed-in-the-wool fly fishers, many of whom are also professional guides. They make it part of their job to keep up on local fishing conditions, and you can bet that the store stocks flies to match any hatch in the region.
Idaho Fly Fishing Company – Avery, Idaho
One of the best fly shops in the Idaho Panhandle, Idaho Fly Fishing Company is a cozy and welcoming outfitter in the tiny community of Avery. Located footsteps from the St. Joe River, Idaho Fly Fishing Company is an essential stop for flies as well as fly fishing knowledge. Its northerly latitude makes it a seasonal business, opening each year in May and closing up each fall, and owner Dan Mottern makes it his mission to provide anglers with everything they need to fish the St. Joe and the Bitterroot Mountains. There’s also a great little cafe attached, so stop in for coffee or a huckleberry milkshake before hitting the river.
Of course, these are just a handful of our favorites, but there are many other amazing fly shops in Idaho. Leave us a comment with any gems we missed to show them some love!