Jackson Hole Fly Company with Greg Epstein

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/331

Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Greg Epstein, owner of Jackson Hole Fly Company, tells the story of how he acquired a 40-year-old fly shop in Jackson, Wyoming. We find out what they have going at the shop – how they produce around 1000 types of flies, outsource materials, and create basic fly fishing packages that are easy on the pocket but great in quality.

We hear some pretty crazy stories from Greg including one when he got caught in an avalanche while skiing. Greg also tells us about his involvement with Teton Gravity Research and his responsibilities being a County Commissioner at Teton.

Jackson Hole Fly Co is one of our podcast sponsors and you always hear me talk about the good stuff they do. Well today, we hear from the headman himself, so hit that play button to get a better feel of their products and service.

Show Notes with Greg Epstein and the Jackson Hole Fly Company

03:50 - In 2001, Greg moved up to Alaska - Girdwood, a little southeast of Anchorage

04:50 - Greg used to ski. Then he became a ski photographer.

05:30 - Greg's wife also loves fly fishing

06:20 - In 2014, Greg got caught in an avalanche while skiing and endured severe injuries. That's when he went all-in with fly fishing because all he could do was sit on a boat and cast.

07:30 - In 2018, Jackson Cardinal company was for sale - a fly manufacturing, fly distribution company, started by the guy named Kirk Stone in 1978. Greg and his wife didn't buy the business until 2019.

09:30 - Greg tells the story of how he survived that avalanche

13:00 - Greg teaches his 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter how to ski and fish

14:30 - Greg was head of the production and one of the people who helped create and write the risk management program for all the athletes for Teton Gravity

17:00 - Immediately after they purchased the company, they created Jackson Hole Fly Company. In 6 to 8 months they got everything completed from the website to branding, all the marketing, etc.

18:10 - Their customers are mostly novices and don't want to do extreme outdoor sports but they want to go out, they want to camp, and disconnect from their day-to-day life

19:45 - One of their focuses is the basics package called, the Crystal Creek - it comes with a rod and reel for only $152.98 (first-time purchase price)

21:00 - They also have another basic package called, the Flat Creek - click here to find out its inclusions

22:00 - They have a great lifetime warranty with a fast turnaround time. They'll fix it within 1 to 2 weeks.

22:50 - They have around a thousand patterns from fresh to saltwater in different sizes

25:45 - If you don't see a pattern you like from their fly selection, you can email them at support@jacksonholeflycompany.com

28:10 - Kirk Stone, the previous owner grew the Jackson Cardinal fly company from the ground up. It reminds me of the story of the Umpqua Feather Merchants. We had Russ Miller on the podcast at WFS 303

29:20 - Greg gives a bit shoutout to his employees for doing an amazing job, loving what they do, and really passionate about fly fishing. They got 3 dogs in the shop as well - 1 black Labrador and 2 Corgis.

33:35 - They get their flies tied in Kenya. They ship the materials to Kenya. They source all of the materials out of the country.

35:30 - Greg explains the logistic issues they encounter when shipping the materials

39:00 - The Green River is about 45-50 mins away from their shop. That's Greg's favorite river to fish and camp.

40:10 - They use a 16-foot Hyde drift boat

41:20 - Greg's favorite fly is a Peanut Envy streamer. He also likes a Duracell nymph