Just read on the Oregonian that the business in filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Here's the link.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/kaufmanns_streambor...

Kaufman's doesn't have that many stores I do not believe. One in Seattle, and one on the Eastside of Lake WA. Creakside Angler, the fly shop in Issaquah, WA but a hurtin on Kaufman's for sure. One problem with the ambiance thing, and personal service a fly shop can give, is...there are lots of folks that just want to come in and talk rather than buying. The wife and husband can go shopping, and the husband goes over to the fly shop and talks, and the wife shops and buys.

Was it Will Rogers or Kirk Deeter who once said, "Even if you are on the right track you'll get run over if you just sit there"?

very sad, i live in Truckee and we just lost the Reno fly shop, just box stores left now.

flutterfly, Part of the problem is the fly fishermen themselves! Many do not want newbies coming into the sport. They do not want other newbies fishing "their waters" Take note of the survey done on this thread that I carped about as not supporting the sport of fly fishing. A consensus seemed to emerge that anglers felt their space violated if someone came within 400 yds of them when fishing a stream! My point was...how can product be provided, how can the industry be profitable if anglers see their space violated if someone comes within a quarter of a mile of them!! I personally like to talk to other anglers, share info, and help a newbie out even give them some flies that work. And I probably like to see them step in and catch a fish rather than me catching one. But that is me. I like to teach, am a teacher, and have been a small shop owner.

The majority of folks shop where they can get the best price...even rich folks. My wealthy buddy buys expensive rods all the time via e-bay at big discounts. Small shops have big overhead. Basically a small shop has to get double their money, or a 505 markup to keep the doors open, and willing customers paying that markup. It isn't that hard to find internet outlets with less markup because they do not have the high overhead.

sayfu you are correct, but like you I value the new comer. But the industry needs them. New money new success. As you know from experience if a shop puts on a clinic for free and gives casting lessons then a small percentage of that group will purchase from them. This will be a small percentage they can capture just by extending good will.
I am teaching in such a class now and we have over 100 students! 100! If only 10% purchases from the two remaining specifically fly shops that will be an increase of sales of over 30% for each person BECAUSE they have friends or significant others who want to join them or just purchase clothing while browsing.

We can't have it both ways. Don't complain about a shop closing that you didn't support when it was in your hood. Go out and represent, take a friend fly fishing and get them hook on this disease! Be contagious!

Good post flutterfly. The manufacturer is still holding on to the price point, for the most part, because they want to protect the flyshop, the shops having the qualified sales help. The big box can not sell higher priced ticket items. They have unqualified help regarding fly fishing, and the guy spending some money wants to talk to a qualified person. I have seen it first hand here in Idaho Falls. The big box reduced their fly inventory to the lower price point equipment. They didn't have the salesmen that could sell it. In one class? 100? YIKES!