Jack Mitchell - Owner and Head Guide for The Evening Hatch Guide Service



It started out in 1962... Dad, Mom and Me

The head guide and owner of the company is, Jack Mitchell. Jack is married to Jennifer....AKA 'The Fish Chic' and father to three beautiful children; Lauren, Kelsey and Justin!

Jack started fishing at the early age of one. The first 16 summers of his life were spent fishing at Neah Bay, with his parents and grandparents as "Kelpers" - catching and selling salmon caught in the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean.

Prior to the families years at Neah Bay Jack's grandfather owned a very well known fishing resort on Camano Island called Camp Lagoon, where he hosted thousands of people on fishing excursions.

During his 16 years at Neah Bay, Jack spent 4 years as a bait boy on the top two Charters Services. When he wasn't in the boat fishing the ocean he was by foot and/or bike fishing for sea run cutthroat in numerous local creeks on the reservation.

After high school Jack went on to college at Washington State University and was on the 7 year plan for his BA in Sport and Recreation Management. While at college he fished, hunted and played a large amount of Rugby, hence the 7 year plan. Soon after graduation he found himself in Ellensburg and realized that his love of fishing had brought him to the right place.

Jack's fishing trails have led him to Alaska, Canada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon and South America. In Chile, he explored many watersheds that until a few years ago had hardly ever been fished. Jack guided in South America for a total of 7 winters. Jack started The Evening Hatch in 1988 and since the company has grown from a small red pick-up, an Achilles raft and doing a seasonal 50 trips a year, to a year round operation facilitating over 800 guided river days a year. Our services range from day trips to all inclusive programs featuring our very own post and beam lodges in two locations and our 'Heart and Soul' waters include the Yakima, Klickitat, Methow and the Upper Columbia. Jack has guided from Southern Chile to Washington and fished more watersheds then most. His favorite fishing is a greased line for steelhead with a two hander.

Jack, The Evening Hatch and his guide staff have been featured in numerous media publications over the years.

Jack started the credited fly fishing class at CWU in 1994. The class is still ongoing and very popular. He has spoke on the topic of fly fishing at sport shows, clubs and seminars.

The company goal is and always has been to have fun on the water and provide you with the most enjoyable fishing experience possible. We thank you for your continued support.

Licensed Washington State Freshwater Guide- License #32047
US Coast Guard Captain - License #000007007

Favorite Spey Rod - 13'7" #7 Guideline Lecie
Favorite Trout Rod - #5 91/2 Sage XP
Favorite Washington Waters - The Klickitat, The Jurassic, The Yakima
Favorite Waters outside of Washington - The Dean River, British Columbia; The Rio Pico, Chile
Favorite Fish - Steelhead
Favorite One Liner - Nooiiccee!