Fly Shops, Here today...gone tomorrow?

[Captcastafly]

In with the new; out with the old - an adage that's been around. Not sure how accurate that statement would be in this case. Much uncertainty in the fly business so I don't want to spread rumors or fan a subject with misleading information.

Seems like the fly shops on the West side of Narragansett Bay may have some changes. If you haven't been by Fin & and Feather Lodge the last few weeks, you haven't realized that the doors have been closed. Such a great building and a mainstay for decades to Rhode Island fly fishermen. Hate to loose another fly business. So many of us have grown with them thru the years.

Just opened, New Fly Fishing Company called River & Rip Tide Anglers'.
Located on Route 3 (Nooseneck Hill Road) about a mile north of Route 95, exit 6 in Coventry. The MapleRoot Plaza will be on the left as you go by a Nursery. Most people miss the entrance the first time around.

[albacized]

My opinion that this occurs is that fly shops are usually more of a hobby than a serious job to the owners. And when they get bored with it or discouraged when it doesn't turn a profit, they close shop. Don't get me wrong as I certainly appreciate their existance. But as far as I can tell, running a fly shop is not a 'make ends meet' kinda job.

I just wonder what companies such as Abel, Tibor and others would do if these shops went by the wayside. Would they become internet/mail vendors or would they succumb to the big box stores and try to move their product through them...

[makomakoman]

I could be wrong, but I always sensed that the shops that cater more to the Salt tend to close more frequent than the fresh. It is always fun to walk into a small shop and see what they have.

If you guys ever get into the wilds of Maine you need to stop at Alvin Therieault's. It is in Patten on Route 11. He grows his own jungle cock..

[Hoss]

I've talked to people in the business tabout the closures of shops around the country. What most of them have told me is that the popularity of fly fishing ebbs and flows. They haven't seen as many people entering the sport as have been leaving it, for whatever reason.
The shops that I have seen that are fairing well are those that are hobby shops. THey have fly tying classes, rod building classes, and casting sessions on a regular basis. I think its not only that they offer more, but they also aren't as intimidating by people new to the sport as some shops where a couple of old guys are hanging out talking about the fishing in hushed tones and leering at the newbie that walked in the door.