Herb & Pat 30 yrs. of fly shop sales

You know you are getter old when it takes longer to shake off the early morning aches and pains. Generally not a big deal, buck up take a few Advil and move with it. As fly shop owners, you know you are getting old when half of your business venders, manufacturers and wholesalers no longer exist; Ug, bummer no cure no fix. We recently got the word Western Sport Shop, in San Rafael est. 1947, is closing its doors. Ouch! Another quality, well established, sporting goods store added to the list of fly fishing shops that have already closed their doors. (Reno Fly Shop, Leland’s S.F. Fly Shop, Ernie’s Casting Pond, Kauffmans Streamborn Flys, Pacific Coast Anglers, Midge Fly Shop— all done, gone and hauntingly disappeared from the fishing retail industry.) No remedy or medicated goo to ease this pain but rather a rude awakening as Pat and I realize we are old and unfortunately may be part of a vanishing era. Make room for the internet and Big Boxes. Or should we?

TFS off the wall, mouth watering fly selections

It wasn’t that long ago the fly fishing industry was a booming business and fly shops were thriving and retail strong, surviving even some of the most challenging economic times of the past. That’s right for decades fly fishing specialty shops were numerous, popular hang outs and provided a unique niche for anglers of all ages and skill levels. It was cool and happening to own a fly shop. The 1990’s movie, A River Runs through It heightened fly fishing to unexpected levels and jump started the entire fly fishing industry. Shops were popping up all over the country and strategically located within striking distance most anywhere fishing opportunities existed, potentially existed and or areas able to support a solid fishing customer base. Urban shops catered to urban anglers, promoting fly fishing selling the latest products, teaching how- to- classes/fly casting/tying/rod building and fueling the stoke unveiling exotic fishing destinations. When urban anglers could not fish they pacified their desires and got their fix buying. Destination shops catered to on-the-spot anglers as they were generally located in route to fishing destinations or along the banks or close proximity of quality fishing. They provided the latest word on what’s happening and were relied upon for inventorying easy replaceable or forgotten necessity items, local knowledge/expertise, advice, fishing-river reports/ conditions, hatch information, local flies and guide services. Both fly shops were unique, complimented each other, developed their own reputations and following and filled a void bolstering the fly fishing industry.

You never know what you had until they’re gone. Why are many fly shops closing the doors? Simple, the same as with many other retail stores calling it quits the piece of the pie just got too small and competition too challenging. The major crunch is the increasing popularity of the internet and mega outlets. They currently represent the leading edge of fly fishing retail sales. Convenience, volume/blowout discounts, free shipping incentives and as in the case of internet sources, minimal inventories and low overhead all add up to a sign of the times that are not going away anytime soon. So what about personalized service, product instruction/demonstration/advice how and where to go, fly casting classes, fly tying classes, knot tying classes, rod building classes, entomology classes, field outings, fly fishing crash courses and destination feedback and good old fishing stories? Most fly shops still offer all the above and much more. Tune and check’m out. It’s your choice.

2012 marks our 30th. year in the fly fishing retail sales and guiding business. If that sounds like a long time, well it is. It is a long time to be doing anything. Hell or high water, bean with bacon/grilled cheese, steak’n Heineken, you name it and we’ve probably experienced it. To say the least it has been a challenging ride. No doubt, Internet, E-Bay, and Big Boxes have put the ax to many smaller retail shops and impacted the entire fly fishing industry. But at what sacrifice? To what extent will they impact remaining fly shops and the fly fishing industry? Will they ultimately become the only source for fly fisherman? Only time will tell as times they are a changing. However one thing that hasn’t changed, and will not change and that is our commitment to you and your friends. Quality specialty goods, personalized service, always someone to talk to and answer your questions, a “dingy” filled with cold ones, and sound “local” advice/recommendations. Because of you and years of loyal support we have been able to keep our heads above water and door open. We thank you all! What is the future of the Trinity Fly Shop? After 30 years what do you expect? Our door remains open, we’ll roll with the good times, counter the punches and continue to preach the Trinity fly fishing stoke. So preserve the magic. Support Your Local Fly Shop!!!

Free TFS-vinyl sticker with purchase

Mary-Anita and Trinity Steel.

We all wanted it. We desperately needed it. And Whoa-Yeah—we got it. Just what the Doc ordered and needed to get the river’s juices flowing and fish moving. A recent series of long overdue powerful frontal systems belted our neck of the woods with heavy snowfall and rains that brought relief from a dominating bitterly cold and dry weather pattern. The perfect storm, solid snow pack in the mountains and heavy rains raised water temps. and flushed the entire system, lower river flows jacked over 11,000cfs.; finally a rotation of what appears to be the lead edge of our native winter runs are filtering up out of the canyons.

Up until the big chill anglers were catching an abnormal number of dark, late summer- fall hatchery fish (for number crunchers, two weeks ago the hatchery has already processed more steelhead than all of last year—feel better or worse?). To many a fish is a fish. However this year traditional winter runs are late, very late with many questioning what’s up. As I have always preached fish don’t go by the calendar. It’s all about current conditions. Keep in mind this has been one of the driest winters on record. In other words no water no fish. Secondary rivers (North-South-New Rivers) have been at all-time lows and tributaries have been all but nonexistent. Compounding the low flow formula, the lower Klamath, at Requa, denied access to all fish, for two(2), 8-12 day time periods (1/2 month), as Klamath-Trinity flows were backed up and simply too low to purge sandbars and flow into the Pacific. Factor the length of the Trinity system at 100 plus miles, Lewiston down to Weitchpec, and migration travel time and you might begin to understand why winter runs in the upper system are 3-4 weeks late. Good things happen to those who wait. If winter returns are even remotely close to an average run, with the blessing of some favorable conditions, Trinity anglers should experience a solid late season.

Kit chalking up another.

All sounds too good to be true, well it is. Many others have kept their eye on the Trinity and weather patterns, ready to make their move. In other words the past few day’s anglers have faced some challenging crowded conditions. But hey, up until a few days ago the Trinity was the only fishable waters available, an annual scenario that seems to haunt anglers when winter storms bash north coastal rivers, fortunately are short lived. Despite social line ups and some raw feedback of a few anglers/boaters breaching stream ethics, most everyone is having fun and scoring. Try to remember we are all out there for the same stoke and passion; truth be known most steelheaders are probably more alike than not alike. Keep the peace, respect fellow anglers. As of this post fishing pressure has already thinned out as most all coastal rivers (Smith-Redwood-Mad-Eel— receiving top billing) are ripening for the picking. Want some steel? Its prime winter conditions in Ca. and options are open. Now get on your horse and ride!!!

Recent winter storms have also inspired other impressive migrations.