After 15 years at Alaska Fly Fishing Goods, Mike Cole is moving on to tackle a new challenge.
End of an Era
It is hard to summarize all that Mike brought to the growth and success of Alaska Fly Fishing Goods. Suffice it to say, during his time the business grew from a small fly-fishing shop in Juneau to a busy local and web-based store that ships orders all over the U.S. and the world.
Mike joined AFFG in 2008 after a lengthy guiding career in SE Alaska, Bristol Bay and Patagonian Chile. The variety of fishing experiences Mike encountered while guiding made him a natural fit at the shop as we transitioned from a regional shop in Juneau to a web-based business that served the entire state of Alaska as well as salmon and steelhead anglers going anywhere in the world. If you called and needed information about fly fishing in Alaska, Mike had either fished it or knew someone who had. And he would go to great lengths to make sure he tracked down the best information on any fishery in the state.
Over the years Mike’s role grew into managing our busy web business, helping anglers plan their Alaska trips, teaching countless classes and working with our local customers here in Juneau. He truly loved talking about upcoming trips and assisting with putting together the perfect assortment of flies, beads and tackle to make sure it was a success. He also took his creativity and fly tying skills and became (in our humble opinion) the best fly designer in Alaska. If you want some proof, just see how many fish have been caught on his Liquid Wrenches, Mr Bodangles, UV Polar Starlite Leeches, Galaxy Worms, STS Leeches and more.
Big Things Ahead
Mike won’t be going too far in his next career. His upcoming position is working for Juneau’s local ski area Eaglecrest as the Repair/Rental/Retail Manager. As Eaglecrest looks to expand from being a winter-only resort to a year-round recreation area, they are lucky to have Mike in this position to guide them to the next level. We wish him all the best in his upcoming career move.
While Mike won’t be at the shop on a regular basis, he plans to still teach some fly fishing and fly-tying classes as well as helping with special projects at the shop.
If you would like to send Mike a message, please email it to info@alaskaflyfishinggoods.com or leave a comment below.
Awwww sad day! Mikey, you will be missed!!! <3
Mike, I met you in 1997 when I caught the bug (fly?) to be a fly fisherman. You and Brad were instrumental in teaching me the basics and I was hooked from my first encounter. You gave my son his first (professional) casting lessons, a thousand thank-yous! One nugget I learned from hanging around AFFGs is having a reel bag my wife has never seen! :-)
Congrats on your new adventure up on the mountain.
Best regards and many, many thanks.
Rick
Good luck heading back up to Eaglecrest where we first crossed paths some 29 years ago. They are lucky to have you back with the wealth of experience you bring to the ski industry.
Mike…
Wish you the best ! Always have appreciated your skills in and out of
the shop. You were always patient and
helpful. Great to work with.
Now who is Nick going to get to tag team me when he needs something! I’ll miss ya Mike, good luck on the new adventure.
Mike will surely be missed. He helped me to get started tying flies. I am from Vancouver, so it was great to have him as a resource.
Mike, thank you so much for turning a blind eye to me in Brad’s shop while I routinely swiped a few flies, tungsten cone heads, Owner hooks, and that sort of thing….
Seriously though: you are a fishy dude – one of the best. And on skis, especially back in your prime, hardly anyone could touch you. So your career path has followed a logical path, and I’m very happy for you. AFFG was lucky to have you, and so is Eaglecrest – each are beloved establishments in Juneau for which you will be a fixture.
Pero mi hermano, tu talento mas importante is your role as a father, husband, and friend. More than anything, that’s where you stand. Salud y Buena Suerte ! Un abrazo grande !!
Thank you for all the info and advice you have given me over the years Mike.
Mike
It’s Been a True Pleasure To Work With You All These Years Good Sir, Appreciate All You Have Done For The Shop and All The Brands ! Best Of Luck In This Next Chapter.
George ‘Geo’ Cook