I live in Kansas City. When the Bass Pro in Olathe is finished I will live about have way between them. My question is which one do you think is better?
I have always like Cabela’s gear, but have heard that Bass Pro can be cheaper. Your thoughts on this question would be great.
thanks,
genben
At least a couple of the guys that work in the fly shop at the KCK Cabela’s are as knowledgable as any that I have met in any fly shop. One of them collects fine bamboo rods. The pond outdoors is a good place to cast a rod too.
I have visited the Bass Pro in Springfield many times. The fly shop is tucked away in the far corner of the store. Bass Pro does not seem to be as interested in fly fishing as Cabela’s…at least in Sringfield. I’m not sure if its possible to cast a rod at Bass Pro. But thats not BP’s business. They were created to supply the gun and run bass angler.
I am satisfied with purchases I have made at both places. Lots more of it came from Cabela’s…I buy their house brand leader and tippet material cuz it seems to be of high quality and the price is reasonable.
I have never cast a Cabela’s house brand rod I didnt like.
I’d say both are good : )
Each does a little better at different things so I like going to both stores and drooling all over everything. The selections do vary as well depending on the level of that Bass Pro or Cabela’s. For instance, the Cabela’s in Sidney is disappointing compared to the super stores like Dundee, MI or Owatonna, MN.
I’m excited at the prospects of a Bass Pro shop opening here in Olathe (if I stood on my roof, I could about see the new store!), but it has been my experience that, like Buzz, their main strength in NOT flyfishing. Cabela’s is just down the road, and other than NASCAR race days, is an easy drive, and and adventure that always winds up with lots of goodies going home with me.
Something you may want to check out (although you probably already know abut them) are K&K Flyfishers in Overland Park, Rainbow Fly shop in Independence, or the Fishing Hole in Leawood (? HA! I know how to get there, but I’m not sure what town it lays in! They all blend together up there!)
I have a Bass Pro Shop 79 miles from my home and I have made several trips there to go to their fly shop. The fly shop is nice and small. Bass Pro has not been in the fly fishing business very long and I think they lean more to the tournament bass fisherman and boat sells.
Their fly shop here is OK, but, I cannot purchase my hooks there in boxes of 100 and some of their fly tying material is not of the best quality. If I need something in a hurry, I will purchase from them. Overall, I think they are ok for what they have and the employees in their fly shop here know their fly fishing and have been very helpful. You may have answered your own question when you said that you have heard that Bass Pro’s prices are a little cheaper. You only get what you pay for these days. I use to make 90% of my purchases from Cabela’s until a local fly shop within 15 miles of my home opened up. I try to make as many purchases from them as I can afford because a local shop is really handy for me. I also make many purchases from Hook & Hackle through mail order due to their discounts and their customer service.
I think you need to shop both places and do a comparison of the quality of merchandise purchased and not make a decision based on the cost of merchandise. Most of my purchases anywhere are for fly tying material and tools and yes you can tie flies with cheaper material but the end results are not the same.
i’ll second buzz’s opinion regarding the cabelas fly shop staff. very friendly and knowledgeable. turned me on to a couple of nice fishing spots around k.c. also second betty’s suggestion on the rainbow fly shop. it’s about a 10 minute drive from my house. wanda is very nice, helpful and knowledgeable.
I have been dealing with Wanda since before her days at Rainbow. There was a tackle store on Sterling behind Captains Quarters barber shop (about 24th street) where she worked and would wrap a rod for ya for I think .50 cents or a buck a guide.
She has plenty of experience doing what she’s doing and as you say "nice, helpful and knowledgeable.
I prefer click pawls reels. I went to Rainbow to buy a Battenkill 3/4…all that Wanda had was disc drag. She offered to sell me a disc for the same price or she would order what I wanted and pay the shipping, shipped directly to my house…I chose the latter but it is that kind of service that makes her good to deal with.
I am proud to say I fish two different ways:
I fly fish for trout and use baitcasting equipment for bass. I REALLY love to fish soft plastics and jigs for bass. Sorry but the 6-14 lb largemouth I’ve caught with my casting rod makes me a believer in the superiority of conventional tackle over fly tackle for bass.
That being said, I feel that Cabela’s is better at the fly fishing thing and Bass Pro has the advantage for conventional anglers.
If your lucky enough to do both you can shop at both stores!
I think BamB may have answered this one the best. Hit BP for conventional fishing tackle or if you are also a boater, Cabella’s for FF, shoot’in irons and just about everything else for the out of doors. Cabellas is the most amazing candy store for the outdoorsman that I have ever seen. Always worth the long drive out to Hamburg PA. I always enjoy the day.
BobC,
I like both. That 270,000 square foot Cabela’s show room in Hamburg is something to see. If you want to take the family to a “zoo” where the animals don’t hide it is just the ticket. Great fly shop too.
On the other hand the Bass Pro Shop fly shop in Harrisburg is really coming along nicely. I couldn’t beat their deal on Cortland 444 Sylk line for the boo. They also gave me the very best deal in the area on my Rogue River 14TK canoe. Tough to beat their Woolrich and Red Head clothing. I also like the fact that as I walk into their door a Bass Pro associate is there to greet you and ask if they can be of assistance. Also, I love that sign, “Welcome hunters, fishermen and other liars”. 
I visit both and I must throw in a plug for Gander Mountain too. Of course I visit the local fly shops too. Hard to beat the down to earth service of the local fly shops.
Spend equal amounts of time with all of them and take advantage of the shopping opportunities. This is a win, win situation for you.
I am a native of Springfield, Mo and consider myself an expert on this subject. As far as fly fishing goes, I would rather go to a smaller local shop, but if I have to pick I would say BPS carries a few more higher quality brands, but cabelas has a little better housebrand items. So if you know exactly what you want go to bass pro, but if you generally know what you think you need go to cabelas. I disagree with Buzz as far as BPS putting the fly shop in the back, its closer to the front door than hunting, conventional fishing and just about everything else (they remodeled a few years ago). And after all I dont know about fishing in Nebraska, but its pretty good in the Ozarks. I seperate conventional freshwater fishing into two categories (Bass and Other). BPS by far has better and more stuff when it comes to black bass. Cabela’s has a wider variety when it comes to trolling stuff, stripers, walleye, and other game fish. It goes the same for the hunting departments. When I am looking for something for deer hunting I look to Cabela’s first, but for turkey Bass Pro has worked out better for me.
Another point is Customer Service. I have experienced bad and great service from both. Cabela’s once charged me 6.74 shipping on a .99 purchase (I lost some clips on my deer feeder). I called and wanted an explanation and eventually chewed them down to a reasonable price. I got it and they were in a shoe box sized package, and the clips were about the equivalent of a package of size 16 hooks. BPS has notoriously been bad about advertising and fine print.
Also Bass Pro has one return outlet located by its Springfield store, which is good for me, but bad if you dont live in Springfield. Cabela’s are located in each the store, which I like better.
Prob a little more than you asked for but thats my .02
Dear genben,
Cabela’s, hands down and without question.
Best Wishes,
Avalon
Where is the Rainbow Fly Shop?
genben
[ Where is the Rainbow Fly Shop?
genben[/quote]
genben, the rainbow fly shop is in independence, mo. take 40 hwy east to shrank road (shrank road is east of lees summit road). turn right(south) on shrank road and there is a very small strip of shops on the west side of the road. the flyshop is the southernmost shop. they are open tue.-fri. 10a-5p and sat. 10a-3p i believe.
genben, Rainbow Fly Shop is quite near where the new BPS store in Independence, MO is being built. It is supposed to be larger than the Olathe store, I believe that that store is supposed to be more like an outlet shop. Wanda is one of the most pleasant people that I have ever met. When the BPS is open, a trip to Independence will make a fine trip. Plan on spending the whole day!
I will second the opinion of the fellows in the KC Cabelas shop. They have never steered me wrong there, have given me a few free samples, numerous tips, and introduced me to the Fishing Hole (which, FYI Betty, is just inside Overland Park, probably 1/4 mile from Leawood).
I have always liked BPS more for conventional gear. I am just more familiar and experienced with their house brands of rods. I have thought that Cabelas did a better job with FF gear and gear for other species than bass.
I still frequent K&K much more often than anything else though.
Soup,
See? Like I said, I know how to get there, but usually don’t know where I’m going!! I think the car would know how to do it if I set it on auto pilot! For being where we are, we certainly have an abundance of wonderful flyfishing resourses!
Betty
I love Cabelas, but my only experience with Bass Pro was a mail order buy of one of their private label spinning rods about 20 years ago, & I was disappointed in that. That was a long time ago, & I would like to go to a Bass Pro Shop to check 'em out…probably will try to hit the one in Cincinnati, or maybe visit Nighthawk & DotMan & hit that one (along with their Cabelas & Hilles) in Pa sometime before Spring.
Mike
Mikey,
Our BP is supposed to be done in February. Come on out and we’ll hit BP, Cabelas, Rainbow, K&K and Fishing Hole. Now THAT would be a day to remember!!!
Betty
Betty,
That’s a dangerous invitation…THIS guy just may take you up on it! Actually, a highlight of that road trip would be just seeing you & Cary again!
Mikey
Mike, if you keep talking like that, this might turn into that Kansas Fish-In that keeps getting threatened.
KFI instead of KFC.
Betty, what patterns should one have for fly fishing in Kansas in February?