Fly Shop/guide Service On The Lower Illinois?

[OKFlyFisher44]

Just curious as to what everyone thought about this idea? What if someone opened a fly shop with guide service, could it survive? Obviously besides fly tackle you'd want to sell normal ultra-light tackle, live bait, licenses, ice, basic groceries, etc.

What do you guys think? I know there's a fly shop down in SE Oklahoma on the Mountain Fork...why not the Lower Illinois?

[ColeM.]

Hey man, we are on the same page. I am interested in this as well.

[DaddyO]

I'd like to see one down there but I don't think that it would be profitable enough for a young man to support a family. Maybe a retired person with money and looking for something to do to stay busy could make enough money along with their retirement check to make a living. I just don't think that there is enough river there. It's not like the White or Taney.

Just my thoughts. Like I said, I'd like to see one down there.

[ColeM.]

I'd like to see one down there but I don't think that it would be profitable enough for a young man to support a family. Maybe a retired person with money and looking for something to do to stay busy could make enough money along with their retirement check to make a living. I just don't think that there is enough river there. It's not like the White or Taney.

Just my thoughts. Like I said, I'd like to see one down there.

Valid points and I agree.

[OKFlyFisher44]

I concur as well. Very valid points. I thought about those things but man, it'd be cool to see one down there. You would think with as many people who come down there on the weekends to fish, that you'd get a decent amount of business though.

I was completely floored the 1st time I pulled into Marvals and seen that ENTIRE place packed full of people!! Just don't know if it'd be enough to keep a place afloat. Especially during the winter, I'd think it would be tough. You'd have to have limited hours during the winter time I bet....much like how Tim runs his shop during the catch n' release season at Roaring River.

But in the current economy we live in...it'd be tough.

[On The Fly 6]

Tim's shop is a great example of how you COULD run it. With the way the water generation fluctuates though, I would think it would be tough to get a steady flow of customers. Sure, you'd get your regulars, but I'd think it would be tough to turn much of a profit. It would be nice. It sucks not having a fly shop readily available when nothing in your fly box is working and you need some advice or something new to try!