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Service, service, service will get me buying from the local fly shop; the only problem is what I have left to choose from in my area is lousy, lousy, lousy!
My old favorite shop Eyler's closed two months ago and I can't believe the void it left at least for me when it comes to getting something NOT hanging from a hook in the store.
I used to be able to ask the shop owner for something special or out of stock and either get it in a reasonable amount of time or at least get a response that they couldn't get it. What I get now is weeks and weeks of delay while the store waits until they get enough stuff to qualify for free freight from their vendors or no response at all. They don't even ask me if I'd be willing to pay the freight on special orders which in many cases I would be, just to save me the aggravation.
For that reason I ask once and tell them if I don't hear from them in a week, I'm buying elsewhere. Thank goodness for the internet and the Cabela's of the world; at least I get an answer.
I try and buy from the local shops but if it frustrates and delays my purchases I don't and I really don't care what happens to them as a result. Business isn't a right in retail it's something you have to earn.
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And on the other hand, many here knock Orvis selling dogbeds. Just how long would even Orvis last if they were ONLY fly fishing specific??
In my opinion (just THAT),the best chance for a fly shop exists at waters edge in an area where fly fishing is VERY popular.The philosophy being to tap into an existing market rather than banking on developing one ( in the middle of a desert- sorry Betty).
All in all, it's a very tough business with a very thin survival rate usually started by someone with little or no business accumen.A love and even a very extensive knowledge of fly fishing helps but alone is simply not enough.But for a VERY few,it's a terrible investment.
Mark
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1) support 'em - if you want to keep them (honestly want to keep them) - shut up - dole it out and support them. Sure they might not be the cheapest ..... but who said flyfishers ever spent money .... wisely http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
2) What should your local fly shop be doing .... well the one immediately local has a 'If we don't got it - and you want it - he'll try his dangedest to get it' ..... honest and open ... I like that in a store.
Our other local shop (3hr drive) ..... has a great selection established - as its a private shop - he makes his full living off of it.
I do what I can to split my $$$ between the 2. The 'other' places .... if I see something extraordinary that might work on a fly - sure I'll get it - but I never head there with FFing in mind.
I grew up with corner stores / local stores and all that goes with it. I'll do what I can to support them .... as for the big square stores ....... let them make their money on other stuff ..........
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Mark, Orvis makes their money in clothing. Believe me. I tie up at the main store a couple of days a year and yes they have a lot of fishing/tying stuff but it is the clothing that brings in most of the sales. FAOLer MikeD teaches tying up there, ask him. He is a great guy! I noticed on the "wanted" BB post he is looking for an Abel TR1 reel...LOL. (I was up at Orvis when he bought a new CFO) Guess you can never have enough reels!
The Orvis Story is available in a book . An interesting read. Forget the actual title but ask Mike...he could tell ya....Bob
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Ya gotta dream the dream .. then make it happen. The angling publics' dream. I've got four small-ish independent flyshops within a 40 mile area. Go in with a dream ... they'll make it happen. We also have a Cabela's and will shortly have two Bass Pro shops. I may frequent them but I'll always go to the independent where I'm more than a number, and they still make my eyes gleam. Closest trout stream? Maybe 200 miles.
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Trouts don't live in ugly places
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The one thing I appreciate is integrity. At one of the trout parks there are a few flyshops, locally owned. Anytime we go into Weaver's fly shop if they don't have what we are looking for, they will call the other fly shops to see if they have it and send us to them, so we ALWAYS stop by and buy something from them, even if it is just a couple of "hot flies". They always take time to talk, and like I said are not above losing a sale to another shop to help a customer.
Drew
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A bum-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?
That's WHAT I got.
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Allow me to make a few assumptions, for the moment: a)that you have 1 'local' shop; b)that it is fairly well run, competitive pricing, good selection, friendly, knowledgeable, honest; and c)that there is a sufficient number of fly fishers in the general area to support it.
In response to #1 - Buy your equipment and supplies form the shop. If something isn't carried by the shop, ask the owner if he/she would order it for you. Ask the owner to speak on a fly fishing topic at a local club. Maybe the shop would like to have a fly tying demonstration put on by someone. Maybe the shop owner can participate in or offer instructional programs or tying lessions.
In response to #2 - For the most part, make the assumptions above a reality and be willing to do #1 above. Have convenient (for the customers too) hours.
There's a fly shop, let's just say that it's within 150 miles of me, that had a great start in spite of one or two 'chain' type stores in its area. For several years the owner was supportive, friendly, involved, went 'that extra mile' for the customer, shared information, etc. and got a lot of business. I have no idea if the business was thriving but it grew. Now maybe business has slackened off but in the last couple of years the owner has cut back the hours and days the shop is open. I don't know the financial well-being of the shop but I hope it's strong. I'd like to see it stay in business.
On a personal note, if I was in the area and needed something that was carried by a 'chain' store and this shop, I'd go to the shop every time. If it was open, that is.
Allan
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An interesting thread that has been kicked around numerous times. Now like most on the BB, I'd really prefer to support my local fly shop even if I pay a bit more. On the other hand, the owner must realize that the ffishing public owes him nothing unless he provides good service and "fair" prices. Example: about a year ago, a local fly shop I patronized sold and changed hands. On my first trip there after the change in ownership, I stopped by to buy some replacement stripping guides for my rod. After telling the new owner what I wanted, he pulled out a selection of snake guides. Oh well. On my second visit, the owner could not pull himself away from his friends at a back table talking about duck hunting and their dogs. Even after eye contact, I still had to almost pull him away from his duck hunting friends to make my purchase. On my exit fromt the shop, after paying, I didn't get a thank or even a go to hell from him. Needless to say, my last visit and quite frankly, if that shop does not survive, I could care less. They don't deserve my business. It's so easy to blame the big retailers for the demise of the local fly shop when many times, it really comes down to the basics of running a good business. The fly shop owner is there to serve the needs of his customers. His customers are not there to insure him a free ride for lousy, crummy service.
Crackleback
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i think mantis hit it right on the head...the money really is in clothing (and not just fly fishing clothing)
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forgot to mention my local shop, salisbury fly shop, gives free casting lessons when you buy a rod, and free tying lessons if you get your supplies there, thats hard to beat.
only problem is trying to leave, lol. you get all the advice, reports and info you could ever need.
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roger
princess anne, eastern shore of md.