Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters

Short History:

Founded in 2001, Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters caters to one of the most passionate, discerning and diverse group of globe-trotting fly anglers found anywhere! You will find a comprehensive inventory of everything fly fishing, including destination travel arrangements.

We have what you need to outfit your next adventure and the first hand expertise to do it right the first time!

Longer Version:

Andy Kurkulis and Jon Uhlenhop founded Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters in March of 2001, with a simple premise:
Everything fly fishing delivered with exceptional service, expertise and humility.

We have outgrown 2 storefronts over the past years, and in 2008 moved into our present 3600 square foot home at 1279 N Clybourn Ave –smack dab in the Old Town/Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Located just 5-8 minutes north of downtown, we invite you to visit us, and see for yourself…

We have gained invaluable experience over the past 10 years traveling all over the world in search of fly fishing’s finest. En route, we have expanded our talented staff, and grown to be a respected source for all thing fly fishing for one of the most diverse fly fishing communities in the world: the globetrotting anglers that call Chicago home, and the world wide community that visits our incredible city. (Now, with our on-line growth, are providing the same service to our new clients on all four corners of the globe.)

We don’t have a big name trout river in our back yard. However, we believe the midwest does offer some the most diverse and we would say finest fly fishing opportunities found anywhere on earth -very close to our own back yard. Ranging from world famous steelhead and salmon tributaries of the great lakes to some of the most incredible small spring creek and freestone trout habitat in Michigan and Wisconsin, to arguably some of the finest smallmouth rivers found anywhere, we are always but a few hours away from great water and the next adventure. We are THE source for our diverse “home waters of the Midwest”.

We also cater to a customer base that travels near and far in search of fly fishing. Sharing in our customer’s adventures, having 2 international airports in town, and operating a robust travel outfitting component to our business, helps us practice what we preach. We have extensive first- hand knowledge of many of the world’s finest fresh and saltwater destinations, and the expertise to outfit you properly the first time. We won’t send you off to a trip of a life time without preparing you well!

Bottom line: We outfit for a broader range of angling adventures than most shops, and in turn, we have evolved as a shop. We offer our client’s a depth of product selection and on hand inventory that rivals most, and an experienced staff that shares your passion for all things fly fishing. We hope that you visit us in person, or check out our mind numbing selection from over 100 of fly fishing’s finest vendors on line.