You should support fly shops.
But if for one reason or another you can’t, you should support a shop that is not a fly shop.
Again, support fly shops. They have all the gear that you’ll need. Rods, reels, line, and flies. They’ll have breathable waders and a handful of vest options. You’ll undoubtedly have your pick of fly tying tools and materials. The staff will be knowledgeable in all things new and trending in the industry. Of course, they’ll be able to steer you towards a good place to fish and help you find the patterns you’ll need to make some headway. This is all good, normal fly shop fare.
However, unless you’re in Missoula or one of the few cities that has as many fly shops as it does stop lights, you might have to drive to find a good store with all the bells and whistles. And you should drive to one if you have the time.
Time or distance may be the reasons you support a shop that is not a fly shop.
These not-fly-shop-shops vary significantly. Some are outdoor stores. Some are gas stations. Some are historic landmarks. Some are hidden gems. But they all have one thing in common: they have what you need.
Now, they might not have what you want. In fact, it is certain they won’t have everything you want. The essential flies will be there. They might even be hand tied by a local. Tippet, floatant, and split shot will be there. None of it will be the brand you usually use. When you’re up a creek, it is advisable to not spend too much time looking for the paddle with a particular label on it.
This resource, the not-shop, is amazing. Around you there might be deer mounts, ice fishing tip-ups, and overpriced jars of peanut butter. You’re going to be the only one in the whole store wearing Orvis. Yet there they are: Elk Hair Caddis. There is nothing you could do to manifest those tiny bits of fur and thread on a size 14 hook. But this shop has them and will sell them to you. They could need a dusting from sitting there for months or they could be the latest batch to get dropped off this week. Regardless, you now have the flies you need and you got them at this place.
You also might luck into some prime intel. After all, fly fishers only represent a small percentage of those who fish for trout. The woman ringing up packs of Marlboros might know something you don’t know. The guy sitting at a bench, tinkering with a compound bow could have fished this valley for 50 years. This is the old fashioned kind of customer service.
None of this is a slight directed towards fly shops. The reality is that there are only so many of them; that we can only support so many of them. Thankfully, there are a bevy of not-shops peppering state highways and strategically placed on rural routes. They fill a niche. They have a lot to offer. They too, deserve your support.
Say you are looking for a fly shop. You’ll find hundreds listed here.