When a five-minute phone call saves you hours of research and the wrong gear.
3-4 minute read...
Shopping has changed. And that's not always a good thing
The way we all make purchases has changed a lot in the last handful of years. No two ways about it. Online shopping was on a steady increase for years starting in the early 2000's. And then Covid happened. Many people began buying everything from groceries to their recreational equipment exclusively online. Truth be told, a lot of those same folks never turned back. The convenience is too hard to pass up. With regard to fly fishing equipment, this works extremely well when you know exactly what you need. That said, when you don't know all the specifics, this can lead to lots of unnecessary purchases or getting gear that ends up being the wrong stuff for what you're doing.
The hidden cost of all this convenience is that it’s easier than ever to buy the wrong thing:
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A reel that doesn’t balance your rod
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A line that doesn’t match your fishing style
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Waders that don’t fit how and where you wade
Individually, these might seem like small mistakes, but together they add up to real money, a waste of time and a lot of frustration.
A few quick questions with the right person up front can often prevent a whole pile of “almost right” gear from piling up in the garage.
The fly fishing world online is full of information....and plenty of misinformation
This is where it gets tricky for a lot of anglers. There is an incredible amount of information on the web related to every sliver of fly fishing. As of late, this has been augmented by the huge uptick in various A.I.-driven content. The huge problem with this is that, with total information overload, it can be rather difficult to determine what information is accurate, what is one person's opinion, and in the case of A.I., what content is some combination of the two. Not to say that there isn't plenty of great intel on the web. There certainly is, but if you are new to fly fishing in general or trying a new technique or destination, it can be tough to determine fact from fiction.
None of this means you should ignore the internet. Trip reports, basic how-to articles, and honest gear reviews can all be incredibly helpful. The key is using online information as a starting point, not the final word. Treat it as a way to get familiar with terms and options, then use that baseline to have a more focused, productive conversation with someone who has real on-water experience.
Trust live humans (and dogs) that actually fish!
When buying fly fishing tackle, there is absolutely no substitute for the insight of anglers that have a ton of on-water experience. You can save yourself a lot of time, and often money, by picking up the phone and talking to the right person as opposed to sifting through countless websites, social media posts and A.I. blurbs. When trying a new technique or destination, the internet can't replace the knowledge gained from real experience.
Nowhere does this ring more true than in the world of Spey fishing. The majority of anglers that dive into Spey have some single-hand fly fishing experience, but getting into Spey can be like learning a foreign language. At its core, Spey fishing is actually a very simple method compared to other techniques, but the lingo is unique and the similarities to single-hand fly fishing are few. Throw in the added complications of different line systems, leaders and sink tips and it can be enough to make your head spin. Needless to say, a new Spey angler trying to figure it all out on the web alone can get so twisted up they don't know where to begin.
This is where a good fly shop shines. A knowledgeable crew can ask the right questions about your home water, casting style, travel plans, budget, and experience level, then narrow things down quickly. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of rods, lines, or flies, you get a short list of options that actually make sense for you. Over time, that relationship saves you money, cuts down on guesswork, and gets you on the river with gear that feels like it belongs in your hands.
Good help is hard to find.
In Summary
There's a ton of great information on the web related to fly fishing gear, but don't rely on the internet as your singular source of intel. If you find yourself staring at a screen full
of options and not sure what’s right, call the shop. We’re happy to talk
Spey setups, trout rigs, or hand selected fly kits and get you pointed
in the right direction.
Developing relationships with trusted fly fishing retailers is the fastest way to get the appropriate equipment for your chosen pursuit. In the long run, that's the quickest and best way to be set up for success. Keep in mind the fact that, in spite of it's tremendous advances, the internet and A.I. will never actually fish. At least we hope not!
Developing relationships with trusted fly fishing retailers is the fastest way to get the appropriate equipment for your chosen pursuit. In the long run, that's the quickest and best way to be set up for success. Keep in mind the fact that, in spite of it's tremendous advances, the internet and A.I. will never actually fish. At least we hope not!
"The Gorge"
541-386-6977
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