About the Business
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop is a downtown Missoula fly shop and guided fishing outfitter founded in 1988 by Jim Toth on the banks of Rock Creek before moving to its current location at 215 W. Front St. in 1990. Three friends bought the shop in 2001, and Brendan Bannigan, a longtime retail manager there, became sole owner in 2015. Bannigan later bought the building and converted the upstairs into the Dry Fly Apartments, five short-term rental units for anglers who want to walk downstairs and meet their guide. The shop runs guided wade and float trips on five rivers — the Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Missouri, and Rock Creek — alongside a retail and online storefront carrying major fly-fishing brands, and offers a remote all-inclusive package at the Missouri River Fish Camp. It has repeatedly won Best Fly Shop reader polls from the Missoulian and the former Missoula Independent, and reviewers across platforms consistently name individual guides by name rather than praising the shop generically — a pattern that shows up far more often than complaints. Reviews average roughly 4.9 stars across aggregated platforms with more than 250 reviews.
Profile Researched July 2026
Services Offered
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Grizzly Hackle open?+
In 1988, founded by Jim Toth on the banks of Rock Creek before moving to its current downtown Missoula location in 1990.
Where is Grizzly Hackle located?+
215 W. Front St. in downtown Missoula, one block off Higgins Avenue near Caras Park.
Who owns Grizzly Hackle?+
Brendan Bannigan, who bought the shop on Dec. 31, 2015, after seven years as its retail manager.
What rivers does Grizzly Hackle guide?+
The Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Missouri, and Rock Creek.
Does Grizzly Hackle offer lodging?+
Yes — the Dry Fly Apartments, five two-bedroom short-term rentals directly above the shop.
What is Grizzly Hackle's average review rating?+
About 4.9 stars across aggregated review platforms, with more than 250 reviews.
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