. 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. > keep tyin'...byard > > Line's End Inc > <http://www.linesend.com>
Touche', Byard!!!! I'm in a different position than most tiers out there, so we're not talking apples/apples here, but I do everything I can to support financially and 'promotionally' my favorite shops (and that includes Line's End). I understand budget tying, I was there for many years. I have also been disappointed with the quality of budget hobby-shop materials. For example, I bought a big hunk of 18" long pearl tinsel mylar tinsel to flash up my saltwater flies rather than the 'expensive' fly shop brand. My mistake. It shriveled and rolled up in the heat while out on the panga, ruining about a half dozed very nice marlin-flies. None of the fly-shop materials gave me any problems. Same with dyes bleeding and running from craftstore bargains- not all are color-fast. My favorite shop bears me no grudge when I drive 300 miles to Lander, Wyoming, to drop $1000 on special hand-selected elk, moose, and deer hides. My needs are so specialized, they don't carry the portions I need and especially the quantities I need. Same with hackles. They drool at what I obtain as a Whiting Pro-team member, but hold no grudges. In fact, I help THEM get things they can't get in reg. orders. The owner and I went in together to buy 6 colors of 'Super-hair' by the pound so we BOTH could share it and crank out flies that would have wiped out many packages of super-hair just for one fly. His connection to the manufacturer was required this time. On the other hand, what they do carry -things I need- I buy there. I want my local fly shop to remain profitable so they're the next time I need them or want to visit, chat, and find out 'What they're biting on...". I order my clear tying thread through him by the dozen-box, and he gives me a great price-break. I bring them new customers, buy gifts, books, apparel, equipment, tie for them at sports shows, consign flies for them to sell, and on. Many times I buy something I see just to support the shop- things I can get for 'promos' (free) at the sport shows, or for fly trades. After every fly show I attend, I turn them on to the new and different materials I found there. Fringe benefits, like this great e-mail room and the chat-room, aren't free. Byard deserves your support, not only by word, but by deed. Not all can afford to spend much, but all should reflect on what really is spending WISELY. I'm not bashing the hobby-lobby approach, but if this was your site and you sold fly materials to support yourself, how would you feel if it was being used to show how NOT to support the shop that pays for it? OK, FLAME ME.... After last Tuesday, I won't even feel it. DonO
