There is no question the Sportsman's warehouse had an impact on Angler's, but I don't think that is the whole story. I know Dave Scadden, the second and final owner of the Angler's Inn stores , and I don't think he ever had his heart in keeping the stores successful. His real love is his Pontoon craft business, where he has designed some of the best craft in the industry. While this was going on the stores just kept taking losses. I think that the only reason it lasted as long as it did is that Dave is one of the nicest guys I know and didn't want his employees, many good friends and fishing buddies, to lose their jobs.
In Kaysville Utah, Hooked Fishing Tackle, owned by James Ferrin, is doing very well in spite of Sportsman's Warehouse. I think he has one of the best selections of fly tying materials in Utah. He's built his business with aggressive pricing, low overhead, constant reinvestment, and reaching out to beginning flyfishers. He also is very reluctant to stock anything that he can't sell, and that includes a lot of the "quality" (read high priced) items. Oh, you can find quality there, but he is not afraid to sell something that might have more price appeal to a beginner.
Joyce, I hate to say this, but I bet the fly shop you described, where the owner says he'll have "no junk" will be out of business within two years. Why? Because he is assuming that everyone who walks through his door thinks like him: that quality is most important, and price isn't an issue. There are people like that, but most customers walking through the door are looking for a good deal.
Of course, I really, really hope I am wrong.
Tom Davenport
I, too, was disappointed that Anglers went out of business..but they just
couldn't take the competition from Sportsman's which could undercut their
prices at every turn. Sad, as much of the Sportsman's stuff is so poor in
quality it isn't worth taking home. Didn't see a single saddle or neck that
was of any value yesterday when I got there..all junk with a capital J.
They're only carrying Metz stuff and that, though labeled as grade one, is
mostly seconds. The good Hebert, Whiting seconds are no longer available,
only the 10 pack or first which are so pricey that I can't afford them.
There isn't a decent hen saddle..Whiting, in the entire shop. They've some
Ewing salt water necks, but again, those I can get direct from him for a
better price. I've gone to shopping more and more online as I can get better
quality for the same price. Sad, but that is how it is.
Did you know that there is a new flyshop, Eddie Robinson's, out in that
little strip mall just next to Costcos? The neat thing..he has the 200 yard
Uni-thread spools..I hate paying a buck for a 50 yard spool when I can
get a 200 yard spool so much cheaper. He also has some nice Whiting saddles
and necks, a small but quality selection. He told me that he will not put
junk in the store. He is quite a flytyer so knows quality and knows that we
know quality as well.
Sorry to do a long post of local value..but think it good that one can
support a quality local guy. Check him out. Joyce
PS: He doesn't use Nor-vise..but I loaned him my bobbin. He only has Regal
vices and was not aware of the spitting problems they sometimes have.
