I posed this question to several store owners I visited.  I figured they give a lot of advise like this so thought they would have some good answers.  I’ll pass on some that I thought were of interest.

So, what should I get for my spouse who loves to fly-fish?  I don’t know anything about the equipment.

 One answer was from Reed Teuscher. Reed and Jay run the Patient Angler (www.patientangler.com) in Bend Oregon.

Patient Angler Fly Shop - Bend OR

Here’s Jay tying flies at the shop. 

Jay at Patient Angler

Jay Boucher at Patient Angler Fly Shop Bend OR

 Reed was kind enough to fill me in the local fishing opportunities.  His most interesting comment was that there are enough opportunities around Bend to fish 365 days a year and never go back to the same place.  That was intriguing.

Reed at Patient Angler Fly Shop

So I posed my Christmas present queston to Reed.  He suggested a Spey rod and reel.  I asked why and he said that there is growing interest in this form of casting, so it would make a great present.

I have seen this technique demonstrated, but I’m still not sure why the interest.  That’s a good question for some of my other contact.

Dave Hicks

John's Sporting Goods

 It’s the first day and I am making my way down from the border.  My first stop is in Everett WA and John’s Sporting Goods. ( 

www.johnssportinggoods.com)  John Martinis is in his shop when I come in.  John impresses me as a very intelligent guy.  He tells me about his dad starting this store in the 50’s and that he has been running for about 35 years.

Here’s a guy that has obviously understands his industry.  So I dig a little into why he thinks he has lasted.  His main explanation is diversification.  He not only does retail.  He repairs rods and reels as well as runs an on-line store. 

John Martinis

 

 I found his comments interesting, but for me it is too early to tell.  I make a mental note to watch for this.

 

 One trend which encourages him is on-line sales.  It has doubled in the last 12 months.  I make another mental note to self  - “So what is going here?”

 

I asked him about a suggested Christmas present and he showed me his new book.  It is THE top-selling book on salt water fishing. For the northwest.  Again, I’m impressed.  I flip through it and it looks quite interesting, although I don’t know enough about it make an intelligent comment.

 

The conversation with John has been very stimulating.  I leave with a lot to think about.  I would love to spend more time with John, but we both have stuff to do so I’m off to the next place.

 

What is a Texas boy doing in Canada, sitting in a car for an hour, waiting to get back into the United States?

So here I am, as the president of Tite Line Fishing Products, about to visit with 20 year fly-fishing veterans  about a product I’ve never used.  Well, I figure I have to start somewhere.  Why not start with the men and women who know the most about this sport.

Actually, what I’ve found is these folks are willing teachers and anxious to infuse their passion for the sport to others.  So, I’m looking forward to getting to know these wonderful people.

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