Suggestions For Area Fly Shops

[Buzz]

First, I would like to say that I have laughed more at this post than any other that I have read lately.

Second, I have not been to Phil's store YET, but I hope too soon.

I did stop at a local fly shop near the Dam a couple of years ago and was most impressed with the knowledge and the willingness to help. I'm not necessarily a beginner, but Taney is a different kind of animal. I probably spent $30.00 at that store and left feeling that I had done well. The bottom line is service, and I'm sure that you and all of the other shops deliver on that. As far as special items I agree with the thought of ordering that item for them. If orders come in more frequently then you might decide to stock it permanently. I do get by with the basics pretty well as of now.

[Phil Lilley]

Classes- I hope to have classes this fall and winter.

Pheasants- the feathers look great but I don't sell many at all. I have a dozen in the garage from past hunts. Same with squirrel tails.

Jig heads- I can get 1/4 and 1/2 oz lead heads. I have some now but don't think they're in the shop.

Thanks for the advice... keep it coming.

[Terry Beeson]

I've been told before that I do. I wasn't sure whether to take it as a compliment or not

TEE-EM-EYE!!!!

TEE-EM-EYE!!!!

TEE-EM-EYE!!!!

TEE-EM-EYE!!!!

[drew03cmc]

Phil, Tim, anyone who can chime in, Terry? Continue to serve your customers as best you can, on the waters you are specialists on, and you will do just fine. Tie the flies that are essential for area waters, and carry the materials for those flies, as well as for other staple flies. I know that a lot of places do not carry Arctic Fox, but darn it, I use it a lot! I have a hard time buying hackles for buggers and things off the web as they vary so much from package to package, but if the locals do not have it, what can you do?

Off topic, but if anyone can offer guidance as to what affordable hackles to choose for #8-10 buggers I would appreciate it.

[Leonard]

Andy..

Ive seen a lot of wooly hackle... even though I have to get some at the fly shops sometimes...

But if you want "regural" colors (whites, blacks, grizzly, moroon ect.)..... and they dont "bleed" into the fly like some of the dyed hackles

check out Conranch hackles.... http://www.conranch.com/capes.html

Sorry... I was right in the middle of making dinner..... its the saddles for woolies.... http://www.conranch.com/saddles.html

those mature hen are AWESOME for soft hackle (you can sometime get 3-4 off one of the feathers)

Leonard

[drew03cmc]

Thanks Leonard! I appreciate it!

[Rolan Duffield]

I've bought Fly Tying materials from Phil since he first offered them for sale. He has a very extensive inventory, However, you can't expect any dealer to have every item you want. For instance, what hook types and sizes do you use and how large of a quantity do you buy? Maybe it's 25 hooks or a box of 100 or even 1,000 of a given size and type. It's not practible to expect a supplier to stock hooks from several manufacturers and the many sizes available.

Whats important to me is to have a reliable supplier that will get me what I need or want in a reasonable time.

Rolan

[Phil Lilley]

Speaking of hooks... man it's hard to get hooks now-a-days. I carry TMC, Dai-Riki and Lightning Strike (as a substitute when I can't get TMC). Dai-Riki- can't get 100 count. TMC- can't get the most commonly used hooks in 100 count. If I get any, it's only one or two boxes at a time. I've heard it can be traced to overseas.

I'm starting a new section on hooks-

[The Caddis]

How about tying kits? Detailed instructions for a fly pattern, and supplies to tie a dozen or so.

[Idylwilde]

How about tying kits? Detailed instructions for a fly pattern, and supplies to tie a dozen or so.

I found a Wapsi Concise Kit that gives you enough stuff to tie 16 different trout patterns with instructions and tools. I picked it up at the fly-shop at Montauk.