Our Expert Staff

Here at The Fly Shop®, it's always been about people. Since April of 1978, I've worked to surround myself with the most talented staff, the best products, and the finest angling travel destinations in fly fishing. Along the way, most of our customers became our friends. Everybody says they're the best, but my people have been providing it since our doors opened. And after 30 years our reputation says it for us. - Mike Michalak

Michael Michalak
Owner/President

The owner of The Fly Shop®, along with his wife Bertha. When not extolling the virtues of our world-class Travel packages to prospective customers, Mike travels to several locations each year to personally experience each of the quality fly fishing destinations.

Patrick Pendergast
Director of Travel

If there were a qualifications list for the job as director of The Fly Shop Travel Department, the resume for that position would read like Pat Pendergast's biography. He came to The Fly Shop a little more than a dozen years ago in 1996...   Learn More

Tim Fox
Store Manager

Tim is an outdoorsman who came to us from the Chico area. He handles just about everything regarding retail at The Fly Shop. When not working retail in the shop he may be found chasing fish and game in Northern California and several other states.

Terry Jepsen
HR Manager/Web Administrator

Terry has been associated with the shop for 20+ years. He spends the majority of his time in the shop working on our website(s) and online catalog. However, he may also be the person helping you pick your flies for your local fishing excursion.

Michael Caranci
Guide Service/School/Camps Director

Michael started with The Fly Shop in 2001, teaching at our acclaimed FishCamp™ program, which led into several years of guiding. Michael agreed to trade in his rowing bench for the Outfitters desk, managing the Guide Service, School's and FishCamp™.

Gary Sanpei
Director of Graphic Design

Gary has been working with The Fly Shop for many years, working on the graphics for many of our publications, especially our catalogs. He has been involved in the fly fishing industry for many years and we are thrilled to have him employed full-time.

Kari Chatin
Accounting Manager

Kari has worked this type of job for many years and we were lucky enough to find her several years ago. She has been a wonderful asset to the shop and continues to learn more about fly fishing everyday, enjoying our Private Waters with her family.

Zack Thurman
Retail Associate

Zack has been with The Fly Shop® since 2007. He has taught fly-fishing schools and tying classes, as well as running his own commercial fly-tying business. Growing up in Northern California, he is very knowledgeable with our local waters.

John Dietz
Retail Associate

John Dietz is back at The Fly Shop, where he started his flyfishing career. Weary of the road, John is back in the shop and assisting customers in all aspects of flyfishing. He has seen it all and is more than happy to share his experience with you, the angler.

Sandy Watts
Retail Associate

Sandy has been a friend and employee of The Fly Shop for 30+ years. He is one of our most popular retail staff members and has been with us for over 20 years. On the days he is not working he's likely drifting nymphs to the wild Rainbows of Northern California.

Cory Williams
Retail Associate

Cory has spent two years guiding in Alaska and is a master certified casting instructor. He also gives private casting lessons through the shop. These are one-on-one lessons in which you go through basic fly casting techniques or improve your already formed casting stroke.

Russ Kegler
Retail Associate

Russ started helping in The Fly Shop in 2010, assisting during our busy catalog season. He has been fishing for serveral years and has proven to be a knowledgeable asset to our team or experts. Russ in an excellent fly tyer who loves to share his knowledge.

Justin Miller
Retail Associate

Justin started teaching at our FishCamp™ program during the 2004 season. He has since proved to be a dedicated retail staff member and instructor, working and studying in his free time to master a variety of casting techniques, including spey casting.

Chris Dicker
Retail Associate

Chris came to us through our Fishcamp™ program. Chris attended camp as a young man and then went on to be one of our camp counselors. In 2010 Chris was brought into the retail portion of the business, bringing his energized passion for the sport.

Jason Quintero
Receiver

Jason has been with the shop since 2008, and is the receiver of all goods and supplies. He has owned and operated his own business in the past and has been a great addition to the shop. We are excited to have Jason on board as a full-time employee.

Eric Fields
List Manager/Receptionist

Eric has been with us since 2005, and is the List Manager, Receptionist, and a Retail Associate. He is a graduate of Humboldt State University, where his passion for steelhead fishing grew. Now his primary joy is fishing with the spey rod in pursuit of steelhead.

Trevor Reid
Shipper

Trevor came to us through our Fishcamp™ program. Trevor attended camp as a young man and then went on to be one of our camp counselors. In 2011 Trevor was hired as our Shipper. He will be leaving for the 2012 summer to guide at Bob Cusack's in Alaska.

Kara Tripp
Outfitters Associate

Kara is our newest employee. In 2009 she was hired to become a counselor at our renowned FishCamp™ program. Following her second great season of FishCamp™, we were thrilled to officially invite her to become the newest full-time member of our family.

Mike Mercer
Alaska & Chile Travel Expert

Mike is a well traveled angler and has fished the worlds fly fishing dream destinations. He is also one of the West's leading fly designers. He is an Umpqua Feather Merchants contract tier and many of his fly designs are being used successfully around the world.

Ryan Peterson
Travel Associate

Ryan has been with us since 2005. He lived his prior life in Alaska, where he worked 4 years as a guide in Bristol Bay and 3 years as a staffer in the Alaska State Legislature. He's spent the past 5 years guiding and managing our various camps in Kamchataka, Russia.

Michelle Quinlivan
Travel Bookkeeper

Michelle is the bookkeeper for our Travel Department. You will speak with her when you are paying for your trip to all of our wonderful International destinations. She has been living in Redding for quite some time and is a wonderful addition to our staff.

Eileen Born
Travel Coordinator

Eileen is responsible for obtaining all int'l flight schedules from our clients to coordinate schedules with our lodges to ensure a seamless connection and enjoyable travel experience. Eileen is a 25 year resident to the Redding area and a great addition to the staff.

Duane Milleman
Director of Private Waters

Duane is responsible for creating one of the finest private water programs in the country. Having lived in the Redding area since 1963, he is intimately familiar with most places trout might call home in Northern California. He is continually finding new and exciting waters.