Cabela's Fly Fishing University

[LadyFisher]

Cabela's Incorporated, along with the Federation of Fly Fishers, announces plans to offer industry-leading instruction for beginning fly anglers at 13 Cabela's retail locations - and online - starting in May. The new Cabela's Fly Fishing University will include in-store classes hosted by experienced Cabela's Outfitters, who will be trained by FFF instructors, as well as a series of online modules ranging in topics and depth.

SIDNEY, NE - Cabela's Incorporated, the World's Foremost Outfitter? of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, along with the Federation of Fly Fishers, announced today plans to offer industry-leading instruction for beginning fly anglers at 13 Cabela's retail locations - and online - starting in May.

The new Cabela's Fly Fishing University will include in-store classes hosted by experienced Cabela's Outfitters, who will be trained by FFF instructors, as well as a series of online modules ranging in topics and depth. Those who enroll in either program will receive a free electronic FFF membership and other special offers. All classes are free.

In-store instruction will run every Saturday from May until August, covering equipment, basic insect information, casting and knot tying. Participating Cabela's retail locations include Boise, Idaho; Reno, Nev.; Billings, Mont.; Hamburg, Pa.; Dundee, Mich.; Scarborough, Maine; Grand Junction, Colo.; East Hartford, Conn.; Fort Worth, Texas; Lacey, Wash.; Lehi, Utah; Post Falls, Idaho; and Wheeling, W. Va.

The online modules are expected to launch this summer.

"This is the perfect way to learn the basics of a sport that leads to a lifetime of enjoyment," said Jeff Wagner, of Cabela's, who is a Mastered Certified Instructor and serves on the FFF board. "We hope this promotes fly fishing as a whole and ensures the stability of the sport for many generations to come."

For in-class instruction, participants may enroll in individual, one-hour courses - Beginners Fly Fishing or Beginners Fly Casting - or combine both for a total of two hours of instruction time each session. The Beginners Fly Fishing class will provide an introduction to the sport with a focus on basic techniques and skills. The Beginners Fly Casting course will emphasize the fundamentals of fly casting, including overhead techniques and roll casting.

Courses will be led by knowledgeable Cabela's Outfitters who have completed an intensive, all-encompassing 40-hour training class hosted by FFF instructors and Cabela's personnel, with an emphasis on teaching the sport.

The online modules will range from Beginners Fly Fishing to more detailed instruction about fly casting, flies and insect biology, leaders, tippet and backing, and fly line, rods and reels, among other topics.

Participants are encouraged to utilize both the retail and online options.

"There's a link between the retail classes and the online modules, and the instruction will be consistent," Wagner said. "If anglers go online and take the Beginners Fly Fishing module, they can then go to a Cabela's retail store and take Beginners Fly Casting. Or, if they take the Beginners Fly Casting course at a retail store, and want to learn more, they can go online and receive in-depth material."

For additional information, please contact your local Cabela's store, or visit www.cabelas.com.

[anglerdave]

Interesting. Orvis has been holding their Fly Fishing 101 classes at their stores for the past couple of years and this year has added a 201 class for those that have taken the 101.

[Tig]

Another nail in the coffin of the smaller fly shops.

[tailingloop]

Another nail in the coffin of the smaller fly shops.

I don't see how this affects smaller fly shops other than those near by a Cabelas store that they already compete with. I tend to think anything that helps bring people into the sport will benefit the flyfishing industry and also conservation efforts as well as the fight to preserve our rights to fish recreationally. Locally, the classes offered by one shop has benefited all of the local shops by bringing more people into the sport and into the local shops, each of which has its unique character.

[Tig]

Tailingloop - could be you are right and I hope so. But I wonder if a person learns through a Cabelas are they going to go to a local shop and spend more on a rod or buy through Cabela's. It's not so much that Cabelas is doing anything wrong but with the rod producers starting to cut out the middle man anything that adds competition for the smaller shops is in MHO a nail in the coffin. Just a thought - could be all wet

[tailingloop]

I doubt Cabelas would be doing this if they didnt think it would help their bottom line. And I am certainly familiar with locales where the opening of a Cabelas, Bass Pro, Scheels, etc has hurt local small fishing tackle and hunting oriented shops. I also love to give my business to the small shop. But the nature of the business has changed significantly since the growth of internet sales from all sources and the evolution of retails sales and consumer purchasing habits continues to make it more and more difficult for the small retailer to succeed. For a long time I lamented the growth and expansion of the the mega retailers.

However, the percentage of anglers and hunters with respect to the total population continues to decrease. Here in California, our rights to hunt and fish are under assault with numerous organizations working to eliminate our ability to pursue these pastimes a bit at a time. A number of prime waters in California have been lost of the last couple of years, stocking programs have been challenged and suspended, and some organizations are working to get into law requirements to eliminate non-native species (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, most catfish species, bluegill, crappie, brown trout and so on). Some organizations are also working to codify into law changes into requirements to satisfy endanged species acts that would adversely affect native salmonids. At this point I am starting to be more supportive of any activities that might increase the numbers of anglers and hunters and thus bring more support into the fight to preserve hunting and fishing as a recreational pastime and preserve the the associated jobs, of which includes not only fly shop employees, but also workers at all manor of sporting goods stores, bait shops, boat and marine shops, dock workers, park rangers, tackle manufacturers, guides, lodge, hotel, and food services workers.

[Grubb]

Tiq I used to think the same way, but was shown something else when a restaurant like I was running in an area serving the same kind of food years ago was opening. My district supervisor said nope, thats not what happens, it actually produces more interest in the kind of food and more customers... he was right ... If the local fly shop maintains good service and a smile, there will be more customers that prefer the smaller shop over the larger one..

[51BC]

I like Cabela's. It's a great store and they generally have a helpful and knowledgeable staff. That said, they can't really replace a good fly shop ( or any other highly specialized shop). They have too many diferent kinds of things that they can't do the depth that a small shop can give. I think that introducing more folks to the sport will help everyone, small shops included.

[john2]

I happen to think it's great Cabelas and FFF are on board. New fly folks are always welcome.