St. Louis Fly Shops

[flyfishmaster]

Where are all the Feather-Craft Fans out there?

I'm not one either. A few years back I went in to get some replace lens for my sunglasses. They found them ar Action Optics (Smith), I enquired two times, these are polarized, right? and the clerk told me "yes" both times. So they ordered a set in. A week later, I went back to pick up the lens. Not Polarized!!! I was pissed. the same clerk informed me that "I" did not specify polarized. He informed me that I still had to pay. I told him no and walked out the door. I have not set foot back in the place since.

Later,

FFM

[Randall]

I never had a bad experience in Feathercraft but I completely agree that Hargrove's is hands down better. Tom is one of the nicest guys you'll meet and Craig, i think it is, is great to deal with too. Whoever said they want to stay in Hargrove's but want to get out of feathercraft quickly hit the nail on the head.

[Gavin]

There really two different kinds of shops...FC does most of their business is through their catalog and Tom is focused on retail only. Cant say that I've had bad service from either, but Tom gets my business 99.9% of the time.

[jdmidwest]

I have a 2 hour drive to both of them and I always stop in and visit both. Bob and Crew do a great job, are well stocked, and have an excellent mail order business. Tom and crew are a little lower keyed and more down to earth, have a great shop, and are always great to shoot the bull with. I have never had any complaints about either, great bunch of guys with wonderful shops.

[Robert]

I do business with Feather Craft. When I first came here some five years ago. I needed some supplies for fly tying

they have what I need when I need it.

[BredMan]

FeatherCraft must be more focused on their internet sales. They don't seem to keep the store stocked as well as they have in the past. And the day guy working the store side sure isn't the most friendly or helpful person in the world.

On the flip side, the Hardgrove folks are always friendly, helpful, and what a great atmosphere. They may not have the inventory of FC but they usually have what I need. Hardgrove's is my first stop. I only wish Hardgrove was closer to my home.

[MikeBiondo]

I agree with most others...Tom Hargrove has my vote. I feel going into a flyshop is not so much having some shopping to do, but more be able to shoot the breeze with some friendly folks.

Having said that, for the St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon folks...when I'm in town (St. Charles), if I need something quick, and don't feel like the doing the roadtrip to Hargrove's, I'll run into Cabela's or BassPro. As some folks said already, the inventory is not the greatest but if I need something quick it's usually something like tippet and that kind of stuff usually isn't a problem at those places.

Mike-

[Iliketoflyfish]

I have had very good service at both shops, but I prefer Feather-Craft. Living in Central Illinois, it's not convenient to run to either shop for me. I end up ordering fly tying materials, tools, and stream side accessories as I need them when I don't have a trip planned to the St. Louis area. Feather-Craft offers catalog/internet sales and Hargrove's doesn't, so when in town, my first stop is at Feather-Craft.

[Bman]

I go to Feather-Craft. Ed Story helped me get started years ago. I stop by Hargroves in occasion. Nice Guys, but they never have what I need. I drive over to Feather-Craft and they have it! Very knowledgeable staff too!

[ozark trout fisher]

I have never been in either of these shops, although I'm meaning to. I have always ordered my flies and fly tying materials off flyshack.com so I don't have to make a special trip into St. Louis. But I'd like to try one of the two shops soon.