I recieved an email from Deschutes River Outfitters in Bend Oregon today. After 16 years in business they have decided to close their doors for good. It’s a shame to see these family run operations go down. They are going to try and keep the guided trips going but on August 31st the doors to the fly shop close for the last time.
Rocky
That is sad to hear. Man, we’re down to only, what, 3 fly shops in the Bend area?
Regards,
Joe Martin
Hey Rocky,
Isn’t that Greg Price’s old shop - if so, is he still the owner?
Best, Dave
Well I have never been to Bend nor to that shop but that does not stop me from feeling a bit of a loss nontheless.
There is no comparison between going to a family-run shop and a corporate biz. There is just no “feel” to the big shop whereas one is awash in the ambiance of all those before you and the various trips that have started in that shop when you visit a locally-owned fly shop or bait shop.
Sincerely
Robin
That’s really sad to hear. I hope all the staff and Guides are taking it not too badly.
Never been there, … never met 'em, but I have heard good things from friends in Bend.
Dave the Price family still owns it. Of all the shops in that area that is the one I use to go to the most.
Joe I do believe you are right about three left in Bend.
Robin I also prefer the small family run shops. The prices may be a bit higher but what they give you on info makes the difference.
Rocky
Rocky, thanks for getting back to me.
That’s a shame, Greg and I did some inter-shop trade around the early-mid nineties, group trips, etc. and I always enjoyed visiting with him ( however short the time ) when he made the trip to the I.S.E.
I’m very sorry to here they’re going to be closing the doors - and the timing! I haven’t traveled to Bend in years, yet in a couple of weeks I’ll be in town and D.R.O was going to be my first and only Fly Shop stop.
Thank you for passing along the news, Dave
Also, I believe that Numb Butt (Bend flyshop number 4) is closed due to illness. Hopefully it will reopen when Merrill gets better.
Man, they’re dropping like flies :shock:
Regards,
Joe Martin
Salem, OR
When they are all gone from Bend we will have to hit the shops in Sisters, Camp Sherman, and Sunriver.
Rocky
I talked to someone in the Camp Sherman shop last week. Seemed like a really nice guy. I need to make a point to stop by their place when I pass through the area next time. We get to that part of Oregon about once every 3 years or so. Not a lot…but it’s pretty country.
I’m sorry to hear about Deschutes River Outfitters closing. Sixteen years is a long time to stay in a family business. A lifetime for a kid…born and in High School in that time…