>I still buy a bunch of other fly fishing items from the fly shops. If the fly >shops are selling only a handful of the kind of items, (per year), >that I buy at >craft stores, then it's not worth their while to carry them anyway. Fly shops >would do well to purchase a lot of their stuff from the same places that Hobby >Lobby, WalMart, Michaeals and others do, then they could compete. As for the >quality of what I buy, I notice no difference in it and what I'd get at a fly >shop
Well folks...this thread strikes real close to home. And yes, I have mixed feelings on this subject. As the owner of an internet based fly shop, I've at times been accused of stealing business from the "mom & pops". I have always encouraged folks to utilize their local specialized resources...but for so many of us, that local store is hours from home. I live in New England...a rather populous portion of our country, and the closest fly shop to me is over an hour from home. I feel that I bring that "local shop" experience closer for a lot of shoppers. A phone call to me can often get the answer to "what do I need to tie up a Grannon Caddis Emerger". Ask that same question of that pimple faced employee at Wally World and enjoy that blank return stare...or ask him what's hatching on the stream that runs past directly behind that mega-merchant. There's been numerous times that I've been asked if I carried a particular item and I had to respond that no...sorry...most folks get that item at Wal-Mart of Joannes. So, please don't avoid your local fly shop just to save a few pennies on a hunk of yarn...he might not be there the next time you stop. Paying $2 for a whole skein (more than you can ever reasonably use) as opposed to 65 cents for an amount that will probably last a fly tyers life, may not end up being such a bargain. keep tyin'...byard Line's End Inc <http://www.linesend.com>
