1200 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Lost Coast Outfitters is San Francisco's definitive fly fishing shop — a compact, expertly curated destination that serves an unusually diverse clientele: urban striped bass hunters casting from the bay shore, North Coast steelhead devotees driving north with spey rods before dawn, Eastern Sierra dry fly pilgrims planning week-long excursions to Hot Creek and the Owens, and globetrotting travel anglers who use the shop as their departure point for the world's finest fisheries. Owner and lead guide Drew Harthorn has built a reputation for combined salt and freshwater expertise that is rare in any single shop, and the staff reflects that breadth — professionals who one weekend are chasing stripers through the Golden Gate chop and the next are standing knee-deep in the Trinity with a two-hander.
The shop stocks a carefully chosen inventory weighted toward the specific needs of Bay Area anglers: saltwater-ready lines and crab patterns for striped bass, two-handed rods tuned for North Coast winter steelhead, and a deep selection of dry flies and emergers for the technical spring creeks of the Eastern Sierra. Guided trips on the bay — targeting striped bass by kayak and on foot across tidal flats — represent one of the most accessible and surprising fly fishing experiences in California, putting trophy-class fish within reach of any angler who can make the drive to the waterfront. The shop also books guided freshwater trips throughout Northern California, connecting clients with vetted local guides on the Sacramento, Russian River, Klamath, and Trinity. For the Bay Area angler, Lost Coast Outfitters is not just a shop; it is a community organized around the conviction that world-class fishing begins at the city limits.
“Drew and his team know the Bay Area fly fishing scene better than anyone. I had never fished for striped bass on the fly before and they set me up with the right gear, walked me through the technique, and we had fish in the first hour. The shop is small but packed with quality — no junk on the shelves. A true local institution that punches well above its square footage.”
“Best fly shop in Northern California. The staff actually fishes all the waters they recommend — Sacramento, Klamath, Trinity, Russian River — and the advice is always current and specific. They helped me plan a solo steelhead trip to the Smith River that was the best fishing experience of my life. I won't go anywhere else for Northern California fishing.”
“Came in as a complete beginner wanting to learn fly fishing for Bay Area stripers. The staff spent 45 minutes with me — zero pressure — explaining tides, patterns, and presentation. Booked a guided trip the following weekend and landed three striped bass, including one that measured over 24 inches. This shop changed how I think about fishing in San Francisco.”
