Let me take the liberty to provide a different perspective to the Outdoor
Shows.
At Eddie Bauer I confronted several manufacturers and rejected, what would
have been sizable orders for their products, because they had offered
discount prices at the Spring Sports Shows.
I feel our sport is a "specialty sport" and needs special, upscale, retail
outlets and qualified personnel to help you.
It will be a sad day when the Creeksides and the Kaufman's can no longer pay
their bills and relent to the Kmarts and we get a corner section with cheap
product next to the panty hose section.
The Sportsman Shows were becoming flea-markets and fishermen were looking
forward to stocking up on their big ticket item "NEEDS" such as float tubes,
vests, waders etc. The high overhead fly fishing shops depend on those
items to make it. Stopping in to pick up some tippet material and info is
not enough to keep their doors open.
I am headed for "Jimmy's Outfitters" in about an hour. It is a very nice,
well supplied, fly shop located in downtown, Idaho Falls. They have a
series, for 8 wks on Sat., of a local renowned flyfisherman/tier that will
tie on a theme (ie) flies for picky trout on Harriman's Railroad Ranch etc.
I am really looking forward to being there on most of these wintery
Saturdays.
But, to further my point. Recently, in the newer, shopping center section
of Idaho Falls, "The Sportsman's Warehouse" has come to town. They are a
chain, and have a monstor facility. They employ knowledgable
personnel,(guides etc.) and have incredible prices. They have everything
from soup to nuts. Well tied flies are $.89 ea and if you buy a dozen it
drops to $.79 ea. The best flies are tied in Logan, Utah. Several
patterns, I will not bother to tie this year. A #16 Royal Wulff? No way,
I'm buying them. I will spend money at "Jimmy's" today, and probably every
Sat. It will be a sad day when many of these guys close their doors.
