EWA is more than a fly fishing shop. This is a community-driven business staffed by extremely knowledgeable, kind, and attentive people who love their sport and truly want to help. I lost an irreplaceable rod on a river yesterday. I never would have found it without the incredible help of Muaaz, one of the staff members, who was so exceedingly caring and attentive that he voluntarily managed to track down the person who grabbed it from the bank. Thank you, Muaaz! Many fly shops are intimidating. Most are uncomfortable to hang out in. Plenty of them employ "experts" who are outright disdainful and rude to customers who don't know what they're doing. Most other shops aren't designed to foster a real community, let alone bring a positive force to the larger community of the neighborhood. There isn't a single employee here who won't go above and beyond for you, whether you're an absolute novice, intermediate to expert angler, or just have a friend or family member who's into fly fishing. Need a gift for the angler in your life? Curious about why people are so obsessed with this sport? Want to understand why matching a rod with the appropriate reel, line, leader, and tippet seems so complicated? Want to know if that piece of equipment is really worth the price tag? Maybe you don't really need anything, but you'd like to hang out in a comfortable space designed for customers like you to relax and socialize. Maybe you're tinkering with the idea of getting into fly tying but have no idea where to start. Or perhaps you could really use some expert advice based extensive experience -- without being told you have to buy $2,000 worth of whatever. If any of the above rings a bell, this is the place. No upselling, no uptight attitudes, no joke. This place is invested in making a real contribution to the community of West Seattle. If you live closer to another shop, give this one a shot. It's worth the trip, and you might not go back to that other place. The junction is lucky to have EWA at their new location on California Ave. I shop here instead of buying directly from vendors because there's no price gouging or elitist vibe, and because I honestly want this business to thrive. Most of the other customers who frequent this place do too. Moving this shop from 42nd and Oregon to the heart of the junction took an enormous group effort. There's a good reason so many of its customers volunteered to help with whatever was needed. There are also plenty of good reasons I've spent this much of my time and this many words writing a yelp review. Come see what all this fuss is about. read more

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I've been to plenty of fly shops, but EWA will have my patronage as long as I live near Seattle. Staff is incredibly friendly and excited to get people out on the water. The shop's dedication to be carbon-neutral and support Patagonia's upcycled wader program is really commendable, and the fly-tying materials are excellent. read more

Just stop by here first time. I like their collections and materials. ...even Furnuture too!!! All clothes are good quality and pricey but look like so comfortable and super light and easy care. I don't know about fishing tools or anything but fun to look that. A guy was nice to greeted us and seemed like very nice. I enjoyed looking inside. I will be back again! read more

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My friend and I were in Dave's shop in West Seattle buying some flies for our steelhead trip on the Coast. There was a mention by one of the employees that it was a good thing that was a good think that we were going before March 1st. We then got concerned, for we were going on March 1st on a guided trip and had not heard that WDFW had closed the waters 20 minutes before we walked in the store... Time to change plans. We then booked a guided trip with Emerald Water Anglers' Matt DeLorme to target sea run cutthroat. All I can say is WOW... Matt was a great guy who really improved our fly casting and got us on SRC! The bonus was that he is an amazing photographer and took some epic photos of us! Thank you Emerald Water Anglers and Matt DeLorme for a great day! Support your local fly shop and come to West Seattle and see the team!!! read more

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I highly recommend Emerald Water Anglers to get started fishing or to get back into fly fishing like myself. I've been meaning to get my gear together and now I'm finally ready to get back out there. Dave hosted a casting clinic a few months ago and it was very helpful. He also connected me with Jen at Dun magazine who is featuring a lot of livestreams featuring fishing guides on instagram. Dale told me they can also provide good fishing spot and gear recommendations. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all the great outdoors our area has to offer now that I'm ready to go again. read more

Emerald Water Anglers - Fishing Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Loved the guided fly fishing tour with Reid from Emerald Water Anglers!!! We were picked up at our hotel in Redmond by Reid. He was a really chill dude and very knowledgeable about the area and fly fishing. Reid took us to Snoqualmie and even stopped on the way so we could do a beer run. He brought all the gear we needed, and before we hit the water he spent some time teaching us casting techniques. We did the half day tour which we spent fishing multiple spots along the river. It ended up being a decent hike in the end, but at a leisurely pace so not overly exhausting. We had several bites but no catches but we still had an amazing time. Reid was very helpful and patient throughout. I ordered some souvenirs ahead of time from the store since the online shop is temporarily under construction and Reid brought them with him when he picked us up. All of the guys were really helpful and just an absolute pleasure to work with. read more

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The staff here is outstanding! They are passionate and knowledgeable and go out of their way to share that with customers. I'm always impressed with the level of service I get here, whether I'm buying something or not. Caldwell went above and beyond for me and another dude yesterday. The store was two minutes from closing, yet Caldwell insisted on showing us how to tie a double surgeon knot. He also went out of his way to show us some of his favorite fishing spots in the Skagit River. I don't recall the gentleman's name who helped me buy my rod and reel, but he too was super helpful. He answered all of my "beginner questions" thoroughly without being condescending. You guys have an awesome team! Thanks for all of your help! read more

It's been 30 years since I picked up a fly rod and reel. But I do know that getting the right setup and guidance is absolutely key for successful fly fishing casting. Matt at EWA helped me select an excellent rod and reel. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, professional and patient with my questions. The rest of the staff are friendly and professional as well. I spent more than I had planned. But you pay for what you get. In my opinion, the EWA rod and reel selection is tailored for intermediate to highly skilled anglers. If you're looking for Walmart prices and making a half hearted effort to learn fly fishing? Sorry, EWA is not for you. However, they do carry a few entry level fly rods/reels combos within the $200 range. Keep in mind, a good specialized sports shop will try to accommodate the budget conscious. But selling budget friendly products that don't meet the absolute minimum in quality for successful learning, is not worth the client's time. Anyway, I would definitely recommend EWA! read more

Emerald Water Anglers - Sage Foundation 6wt/9' fly rod and Lamson Liquid 5+wt fly reel - Fishing Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Bryon, our guide, was awesome!! He was very knowledgeable and extremely patient with us newbies. Me and my wife are pretty inexperienced fly fishers, but Byron took the time to show us how to cast more efficiently. He even got my wife on not only her first fish, but at least 3 more! He was super easy to talk to, and makes the whole experience even more memorable. He brought his camera with him to photograph all the little moments we wouldn't have been able to get otherwise. Thank you again Byron! We'll keep in touch. read more

Hey thanks for getting in touch and helping to sort this out. I really appreciate that you and Kristen went out of your way to make this better for us. I was totally shocked at the updated gear, Kristen's handwritten letter, and offer for a guide tour (which is way WAY above and beyond remedying this situation). We are truly grateful for these gestures, thanks again!! And please stay safe, y'all . read more

I met Dave McCoy at the Ft3 ( Flyfishing film festival) 2 years ago. Since then 3 Puget sound trips, mountain streams in Washington, caught my first and only Permit on the fly in Honduras and now off to the John Day next week to try for my first Steelhead! World Class outfitter, guide, photographer and also has become a great friend! Money well spent for trips of a lifetime! Erik Henderson, Nashville TN read more

Emerald Water Anglers - First Permit!!!! - Fishing Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I went on a Guided Trip with Dale in the Skykomish area - and it was truly one of the most memorable experiences I've had. We waded through the most beautiful areas to fly fish and it made me appreciate how lucky I am to live/fish in Washington. And my guide, Dale, was/is a true professional. My experience started from the time I walked into the shop a few days before - Dale stopped what he was doing and answered all my questions. And then on the actual trip - he patiently answered more questions, assisted me throughout the entire trip without being overbearing or condescending. I've been into a few shops and on a few guided trips and, unfortunately, most of the time I'm ignored, talked down to, or made to feel bad because I missed the fish, but not with Dale. He was very calm and supportive - he really motivated me to keep fly fishing. I'm really glad I found this fly shop. read more

The best fly shop I've ever been to, period. I grew up in Bozeman, MT and I've been to my fair share of "fly shops" throughout the NW and beyond and EWA is by far the best I've ever encountered for many reasons. I also don't know that you can simply call it a fly shop and do it justice - but keep reading if you want to know what I mean.. Dave McCoy is the owner and he excels in customer service, fishy knowledge (local, regional, and international... literally you can ask him anything about any type of fishing and he knows his stuff inside and out), casting instruction, fishing gear & equipment, travel, photography, boats / rafts, safety / boat safety, conservation and preserving the natural resources around the PNW, and more... and he's always pumped and willing to help you out in any way so that you're more confident in what you're looking to do. He simplifies complex questions and makes it easy to understand and remember key items, and in many scenarios tells me to put things back on the shelf because I was going to buy too many things that aren't really needed (now that's some honesty there, folks...). Another HUGE reason that this place is so awesome is because ALL of the guides and staff are "5 star", as the kids are saying these days, and are very much like Dave in almost every way - which is a great thing and gives me confidence every time I go into the store that I'll get great info and great service no matter what I'm looking to learn about or potentially purchase ("shout-out" to Caldwell, Cole, Devon, Alex, Karlie, and more over the years!). Another pretty huge difference maker is that almost all of the staff in the shop are also guides, which is a huge bonus for "deep-dive" fishing knowledge and up to date reports and info. Whether you're new to the sport and looking to learn some basic information about gear and / or lessons, or you're an advanced and well traveled angler, EWA is the spot for you! I've been out on two guided trips and plan to do more in the future. My trips thus far to target Sea Run Cutthroat Trout on the Puget Sound (Alex) & Spey Fishing for Summer Steelhead on the Skykomish River (Caldwell) were both great experiences. And, even better, I learned a ton about the fishery and got some great fly casting instruction to help me get out fishing more on my own as well! read more

Emerald Water Anglers caught my attention as the most professional and informative fly shop experience I've ever had. The staff is extremely helpful and willing to go to any length to provide you with knowledge about Washington fisheries. From steelheading, Puget Sound, and river/streams to the east these guys and girls know what they are doing. read more

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I highly recommend Caldwell as a fly fishing instructor. I recently took the Beginner Class and after eight hours of instruction I had a foundation of understanding about rods, reels, flies, casting, wading, and river fly fishing techniques. He has a real gift of teaching where every minute is fun-filled and educational. I look forward to having Caldwell help me make a final selection for my first fly rod and reel combo. I can think of a few other odds and ends that I expect to purchase soon too. Thanks, Caldwell! read more

Emerald Water Anglers - Caldwell leading us back home. - Fishing Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Overall we were underwhelmed and primarily because of the cost and the quality. Did a half day and our guide was certainly upbeat and was knowledgeable. But the waders were old and torn in places and the wading boots were in terrible shape. Had this been priced in the $150-250 range, it would have been fine, but by the time we were finished, we were closing in on $500 including tip. In general, I'd suggest that you take the money and buy the equipment, go online and watch some videos, and head out on your own. read more

Great Fly Shop with all kinds of great gear for fishing junkies. The location is great as well, very close to the junction but in a quieter part of the neighborhood. I have not utilized their guiding services, but hope to do that someday soon, despite fishing this area for many years, I've got a lot (and I mean a lot) to learn. read more

Dave and his team have always provided me with service above and beyond my expectations. This store is truly worth the five stars each time I visit them. Recently, I brought a new single hand line (from another store)that was too big for my reel. I paid EWA a visit to buy another line for my Spey rod and asked if they had any idea how I could fix the problem with the single hand line. Dave recommended that he cut 20 feet off the line and then welded a loop. I now have a sweet dry line on one of my favorite SH reels. They didn't charge me for the modification but I obliged by buying some dry flies for the upcoming spring and summer. Also, don't forget to sign the guest book in the bathroom!!! read more

I literally made a Yelp account just to write this review. These guys rock! Jeff patiently walked me though what flies to use and when in the north west all on the phone. Looking forward to stopping in the shop soon. read more

I've been going to this shop now for three months for all of my fishing needs. They are welcoming and knowledgeable, and very professional. They never make me feel stupid for what are probably dumb questions. They have as many classes as you can ask for, and their teachers/guides are the best and truly care for their clients. On top of the great service, they also have a women's community, with activities, and women's only group trips that can be fun for someone like myself getting into the angling world. read more

Absolutely the best. Hands down. No questions. These guys are always super helpful and the shop has an incredible youthful cultural feel. I don't feel like I'm walking into a grandfather's garage, I've never gotten any attitude at the shop and they are always stoked and encouraging. The free classes and clinics helped me a ton. The Writer's on the Fly event was incredibly inspiring. The gear is great. A huge asset for West Seattle. Buy some gear here and then buy them a beer. read more

Such a great way to learn how to fly fish! My husband is an avid angler and is reluctant to take me out, so this 2-hr. casting clinic was perfect. I was able to get my feet wet (no pun intended) and circumvent the initial frustrations that I would have had with my hubby teaching me the basics. My father, who has fly fished before, also came with me to the clinic. It was great for him too. Since the classes are so small, you truly get one-on-one attention. Great for true beginners and those who have a little experience and are looking for expert advice on honing their craft. read more

Dave McCoy, Reid and the rest of the staff at EWA are truly an asset to our West Seattle community. EWA is more than a fly shop; it aspires to be and is becoming a nexus of our local fishing community. It's refreshing to walk in the door, plop down on a weathered couch, relax and catch up on our local waters, events or plan a trip. The vibe is warm, welcoming and authentic. Advise and guidance is given freely and is helpful to both experienced anglers and novices alike. No ego or attitudes here. Their gear is well selected for quality and value and you'll be well attended to and feel great about shopping local. I've fly fished over 40 years, seen the 'old days meet new ways' and EWA still embodies the spirit, passion and camaraderie of our sport. read more

Emerald Water Anglers - Fishing Near Me - Seattle, Washington

All the best gear, staff that treat you like a friend. They've never steered me wrong. Incredibly knowledgeable about all the local fisheries, and can get you set up for that big trip. read more

I've been on two trips with Emerald Water Anglers and Dave. Both times they were a blast! This lasted trip was last minute and wanted to get a Spey casting lesson as well! Thank you Dave for being a very patient teacher and just an all around great guy to fish with! Their trips are great and the shop is amazing. I can't wait to come back and give that Winston Microspey another go! Highly recommend Emerald Water Anglers for guided trips, gear and the pure enjoyment of fly fishing! read more

Simply can't say enough great things about Emerald Water Anglers (EWA). EWA is staffed by extremely knowledgeable, friendly, genuine fisherman and fisherwoman, who can answer whatever questions you have. But beyond that, a few things stand out about the shop, its owner Dave, and its guides--all of which make it the best destination for gear and advice in Seattle: First, they'll never try to sell you expensive gear you don't need. I came to them for help getting into the spey game, and both the owner Dave and his employee independently tried to sell me the *least* expensive of the three rods I was looking at because it was the right fit for me. If you don't need a super-fast $1,000 rod nor a $900 reel that'll hold onto GT, they aren't going to try to sell you on it -- they're going to set you up with the rod and reel that are right for you. Particularly if you're just getting into the sport, or if you're just getting into a niche part of the sport (e.g., swinging for steelhead), you can come to EWA and be confident you're going to walk out with the gear that's right for you. This is a company with integrity and with an interest in building lifelong customers. Second, rather than snooty, they are welcoming and generous with advice. As anyone who's ever shopped for fly gear before knows, there are a lot of fly shops filled with aloof, crusty guides - dudes and gals who, if you don't fish 200 days out of the year, look down their nose at you and who won't give you straightforward answers about where to go fish. They want you to buy their expensive gear and bug off. The opposite is true of EWA: they're forthcoming with advice on where and how to fish and won't make you feel inferior for asking these questions. Why? Because at root, EWA is committed to building a vibrant fishing community in the Puget Sound area. This is particularly admirable when it comes to their help with steelheading, a religion that (unfortunately) fosters cultish, hyper-protective inclinations among its adherents. Whether you're a Seattle local, or coming through town on your way to the OP, make EWA your stop for gear and advice. They won't disappoint. read more

This place is amazing! The manager kept the place open late so that my husband and I could find some hats for skiing. They had an awesome selection of beanies and baseball caps. If you visit West Seattle you must stop by this shop!! #makeyourownadventure :) read more

Came in to get a new setup and information about the area. Emerald Water Anglers did not disappoint. They took their time making sure I understood all the info they had to give, got me a good setup, and gave me some spots to explore. Thanks for all the help! read more

Shout out to Dave for his fabulous Customer Service. Its hard to find good customer service and I just wanted to let you guys know that he was honest and very helpful. Thank you Dave. read more

What a fantastic way to learn a city! I was in Seattle over Labor Day weekend and looking for some fun outdoor activities - cue Emerald Water Anglers. We had never fly fished before, but have always wanted to learn. We left a message for Dave and he returned our call a few hours later. He asked us some questions about what we looking to do/learn/etc. and we decided a half day guide trip was what we were looking for. He passed our contact info along to one of his guides (Ted) and we were all set. Super easy booking process! Ted gave us a call to go over specifics and to make sure everything would be covered. We discussed experience levels (absolutely none) and if we would be up for some slight hiking to get to some better fishing spots (absolutely). We meet Ted near Snoqualmie, geared up (he brought everything), and hit the water. With no experience, Ted coached us through what we were fishing for, basic casting techniques, and where to aim. He was super patient, very informative, and you could tell how much passion he had for the sport. He brought this amazing fresh smoked salmon (and by fresh, he caught and smoked it the week before) and made some epic snacks with it. He probably didn't expect for us to eat as much as we did, but it was so delicious.... We went to 2 different spots and each caught a few trout. In between teaching, guiding, fixing snapped lines because I enjoyed hooking trees, and dishing out salmon, Ted also snapped some amazing photos. We received them a few days after the trip and they're awesome - a perfect way to remember an epic outing. Couldn't have imagined spending our last day in Seattle any other way. Can't wait to learn more about the sport and will definitely be calling Ted for future guide trips when we're back in the area. read more

Dave was super fantastic, a great teacher with an even better sense of humor! He provided lots of analogies and visuals for us to think about while learning casting, which greatly helped my visual learning style. He was patient and kind and I'd highly recommend his classes to anyone wanting to know more about fly fishing! read more

I signed up for one of the 2hr casting classes to see how I'd like fly fishing as compared to 'regular' fishing. I even had a Groupon. Six of us met up with Dave at Green Lake on a beautiful August morning, and had a blast while tiring out muscles we didn't even know we had. Dave is a great teacher. He clearly loves what he does, and conveys that to his students. His 'need-to-know' approach was great, as it tailors the class to each student. For me, I break my wrist way too much on the backstroke (which likely is why my golf game suffers so badly too), so Dave had me tuck the end of the rod into my sleeve. Not something I want to do long-term, but a great training device. I can't say anything bad about this experience. It was well worth the 2 hours on a gorgeous Saturday morning and the more than reasonable rate for the kind of one-on-one attention you get. If you're considering trying out fly casting, this is where you need to go. read more

I have been a customer of Dave's, Reed's and the folks form EWA for over 7 years. Hands down the best fly shop I have ever visited or worked with. I have taken many guided trips with their staff and spent oodles of cash in their store. They are both knowledgeable and approachable and love chatting about fishing with their customers. I recommend that anyone looking to get into fly fishing check them out. read more

Great shop, great brands and inventory with an even better staff that is always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. It's a great addition to West Seattle and I strongly recommend stopping in. Quite possibly the best Fly Shop around already. read more

The top of the line brands represented, spanning more than just a "fly shop". Knowledgeable, fun, and young staff that is willing to help you with anything from photography to casting. Excellent guide service as well! read more

We just took a 2hr lesson on the shore of GreenLake with Dave but it was awesome. We'll certainly be back for some actual fishing.

Now I am really "hooked." I recently caught my first steelhead on the Deschutes with a guide that EWA recommended, so of course when I came back I had to get my first spey rod. A beautiful Echo 7 wt, and of course spun it up with great reel, backing, line, head, etc! I went out on the Sky the next day. Also, EWA gave me a 3 hour spey lesson with purchase (although you are supposed to take the lesson first and get a credit toward your purchase!). Great shop, great guides, great lessons and activities. read more

Dave and Co at EWA are fantastic. Friendly, knowledgable, and focused on service. Their selection is a great, and they know the waters around the are and beyond. read more

Great day with Caldwell! Very knowledgeable. Excellent casting instructions. Fun to spend the day with. Beautiful day on the river!

I went through the guide school here and it is top notch! Dave McCoy and his guides are the best in the business. I spent a week fishing with them and learned more about fishing in the north west then I thought was possible. I recommend fishing with these guys for any fly fishing trips that you would like to take in Washington. read more