fly shops

[bassman]

I hear a lot about bad fly shops, but not much about good ones. I have visited many shops in many states some good some bad. I have been treated like a second class citizen in some and like I was the best customer in others. I want to tell you about a local shop here in Knoxville, TN. They are the only fly fishing and tying shop in Knoxville. Hope it is ok to mention there name here. It is called The Creel. Being the only shop here you might think they would be picky and arrogant. But just the opposite. They are very friendly and helpful. If you are just looking for a spool of thread or a high end rod you will always be treated with kindness and friendship and always willing to help. I applaude them. And wish them a prosperous business. Just wanted to add a little positive side.

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I wish you everlasting flies and tight lines.



[This message has been edited by bassman (edited 16 March 2005).]

[Nicholas]

If you are in Victoria B.C. Robinsons Sporting goods is a good place-there is outdoor gear of all kinds and a very good selection of fly fishing-tying products. Matt King runs the fly fishing section of the store -he,s a standup kind of guy-good people.
B.C.Nick

[jeffw]

I just posted to Dr. Fish's thread about the bad ones, but must report on a good one.

There is a shop in Liberty Lake, WA, just east of Spokane. It's in a supermarket strip mall. Kinda pricey, so I had been going to one of the box stores from a lot of stuff (they have a good selection). A couple of months ago, the flyshop started having a flytying table on the first Friday of every month. Nothing formal. Big screen TV has some fish porn video on and we mostly just swap lies. Sometimes we go a couple of doors down and get a pizza. Never any pressure to buy stuff, but I always do. They usually have something on special that I can't do without. I've been to this shop more in the last couple of months to get FF supplies than ever before. I never get the hard sell and never feel like anything but a valued customer even when I don't buy anything (which is, of course, rarely!!)

I went into another, now closed shop about 4 years ago to look at waders. The clerk immediately insisted that I needed the Guideweights ($400+). Nope, I told him, I don't get out that much. I was immediately branded an idiot for not wanting quality. I'm out the door in a flash and the shop is now closed.

Natural selection, I say.

Jeff

[Gnu Bee Flyer]

You are right we should tout the Good shops .
In Penticton British Columbia we have a great flyshop . LakeStream Flies and supplies . The owner/operator is the staff . I have often watched him talk a customer down from the high priced stuff and guide him to what the guy really needs . He asks all the questions and determines exactly what you really need. He has the local knowlege to send you to the right lake/stream with the right flies , lines , rods &reels etc. to get the job done . I have talked to him about it and His idea is , if they catch fish they will be back . If they leave here happy they will be back , If they think they got a good deal they will be back . We have 2 big box stores that he competes with . Their stuff is a little cheaper both in quality and price , but I shop with him if I can . You don't want to lose a shop like ours . 40 miles North of here in Kelowna BC is Trout Waters flyshop I have been there only once but got very good service and advice on that visit no hard sell .

[gonfishn]

Jeffw,Haven't been over that way in a while
to shop but if I remember right the Cast Away
Fly Shop is or was in the area you're talking about.Last time I stopped in there was on one of the kids trips to Silverwood.

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Second TF's motion, particularly the Trout Fly/Fitter in Mammoth Lakes.

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Snow on the roof with fire in the hearth

[lee s]

Good thread!
Only been there once but we sure do like Trout Country just out of Burney, Ca.
.....lee s.