In a time when “non-essential” businesses have to close, fly shops certainly make the cut. And while fly shops aren’t essential for our daily lives, we are absolutely essential for the lives of those who own or work in fly shops.
A good fly shop will sell you a rod, some tying thread, or a handful of patterns that match whatever is hatching. A great fly shop is the hub of the local angling community. If you have ever experienced that dynamic, you know how special and enriching it can be. The gear is good; the people are great.
In difficult economic periods, niche businesses are usually hit the hardest. While the restrictions stemming from COVID-19 might prohibit you from physically walking into a store these days, most shops will offer online ordering. As of today, the vast majority of the world is still open to fly fishing. If you can still afford hooks, leaders, or a new pair of wading boots you should consider buying from your shop today. Every little bit will help.
Here are three posts that talk about fly shops. Two give some insight into the culture behind the racks of rods and the bins of flies. The third is a podcast episode discussing what makes good fly shops good. Check out the links below:
Lefty Kreh, Lee Wulff, Poul Jorgenson, Gary Borger – they’d all come in to the shop if they were in the area. Politicians, actors, everyone. Southcentral Pennsylvania was a premier place to fly fish for trout, with Boiling Springs and the shop as the epicenter. The accessibility and popularity make sense, as the valley is within a few hours’ drive of metropolitan areas like Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York. One issue of Fly Fisherman magazine had five articles all featuring the area. The streams and the shop were getting a lot of press.” Read more here.
Aside from local fisheries, Naperville is only three hours southwest of the Driftless Region in Wisconsin; two hours away from steelhead tributaries, and, depending on traffic, a short ride from the city’s Lake Michigan shorefront. Sitting at what is essentially the central point of the Chicago suburbs, that provides a very attractive set of options for local anglers. Read more here.
What Makes the Good Fly Shops Good?
Even today, brick and mortar fly shops are an integral part of fly fishing culture. Beyond supplying rods, reels, flies, and tying materials, they offer angling insight and legitimate community. Although there are many factors that lead to fly shops succeeding or failing, there are certain things that most of the truly good shops have in common. And, in my opinion, the most important facets aren’t fishing gear. Listen to more here.
Do you have a favorite fly shop? Let me and everyone else know what it is in the comments below.
Own or work at a fly shop and have a story to tell? I’d love to hear from you – send me a message.