I am lucky here in Central Oregon as we have something like 14 shops in this small area. Now mainly they are duplications of each other, but most have something different and that can keep me happy on those rare ocassions when I need to kill a couple hours. I find it the same as the toy stores when I was a kid.
I must admit, though, that even more, I miss the old WORLD’S GREATEST Herter’s catalog. I need to find one of their old catalogs and remember old times.
I just got 15 hits on ebay by punching in “herters catalog”
This week’s front/main page quote:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=“1” face=“Verdana”>quote:</font><HR>
“A fisherman will spend almost as much time
in tackle shops as he will upon a trout stream.”
~ William Hjortsberg <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Bill used to live near us on the old River Road in Paradise Valley MT.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Spent 6 hours today down at the local fly shop (Bob’s in Loveland CO)…I finished the last wraps on my new rod, flamed them, coated the wraps, and put it on the drying rotator and flamed the epoxy. My neighbor was just starting his rod and we carpooled – so I hung out all day drinking coffee and reading fishing magazines, and talking fishing, fly tying, rod building, with the staff and everyone who came in. What a fun day! Feels just like home down there. Can’t do that at the local big box tackle store…they’d call security.
;~)
DANBOB
2005:
Fishing 700 hours
Tackle shops (including Cabelas) maybe 10 hours
FAOL don’t ask
Spent about 3 hours in the closest flyshop just visiting and enjoying good people at D&B Outfitters in Tulsa about 15 miles from home.Was told my TXL blank should be here in the middle of the week. OH BOY
Ya just can’t beat a fly shop. I spent more in two rods, fly material and hooks than I did the diamond earing I bought her .
Love my local fly shops
Cabela’s gets its fair share too, along with some of our sponsors.
Ya gotta love this sport, a magic tonic for the soul.
Philip
I am a big fan of Hedrons materials. I luv their holographic stuff and the new flourescent materials…then there is Sage…& Denny’s hackle &…
My first Fly-Tying kit was from Herter’s. Seems like ages ago (probably because it was). Another fond memory from fly-fishing.
Semper Fi!
I still have my first kit from Herter’s. The vise is a simple affair of stamped steel plate with a wing nut for tightening. The materials are pure junk. I used to get a real kick out of George H. ranting in the catalog about Eagle Claw hooks…
I visit the Local fly shop all the time . If it is a slow day Chris the owner will happily show you how to tie almost any pattern you can name . He always gives the fly away to anyone who watches . I learned to tie watching him . He ties down to #30’s .
His stock is priced mostly in the mid range and is all quality stuff . He absolutely will not sell you something you don’t need expecially if he knows you are a newbie .
Poor guy told Me that he opened the flyshop thinking he would get to fish and tie flys all the time . Hah . He only gets out fishing less than 5 times a year , to busy in the shop . He shoulda read Al’s article on running a fly shop .