St. Louis Fly Shops

[Njardar]

Never been to Hargroves (yet), but I will check them out. As for FC all my experiences have been fine, staff has been knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely one of my go to places for supplies.

- Charlie

[FlyFishinFool]

I have been to both shops, but spend most of my time & $$ at FeatherCraft. The staff at FC has always been very helpful to me when I ask about tying materials, and they have a lot more materials on the shelf that Hargroves. When I had a furled leader from FC break after only a couple of days using it, I called FC and they replaced the bad one with 2 new ones - and mailed the 2 new ones to me where I was fishing...that is good service. While Hargroves is a smaller shop and has less stock available, the only real complaint I have is that the entire shop smells like an over-filled ashtray! First time I went to Hargrove's I did not buy a vest from Tom because it smelled like it had already spent the weekend sitting in a fish camp playing poker all night. In a small shop that stresses personal service and advice, smelling strongly like smoke when I leave is an issue! If Hargrove's would cut out the smoking I would definitely return more often.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I have been to both shops, but spend most of my time & $$ at FeatherCraft. The staff at FC has always been very helpful to me when I ask about tying materials, and they have a lot more materials on the shelf that Hargroves. When I had a furled leader from FC break after only a couple of days using it, I called FC and they replaced the bad one with 2 new ones - and mailed the 2 new ones to me where I was fishing...that is good service. While Hargroves is a smaller shop and has less stock available, the only real complaint I have is that the entire shop smells like an over-filled ashtray! First time I went to Hargrove's I did not buy a vest from Tom because it smelled like it had already spent the weekend sitting in a fish camp playing poker all night. In a small shop that stresses personal service and advice, smelling strongly like smoke when I leave is an issue! If Hargrove's would cut out the smoking I would definitely return more often.

You got your wish, They passed a no-smoking law in that community a while back and they had to put out the smokes.

SIO2

[Gavin]

Hargrove heats his shop with a wood burning stove, so thats probably what your smelling...the lads smoke outside for the most part...cept for Wooly Bugger Eddy while he's tying on Saturday.

[FlyFishinFool]

You got your wish, They passed a no-smoking law in that community a while back and they had to put out the smokes.

SIO2

Really? I was not aware of that change. I will have to stop and check out Tom's place again. Thanks for the update.

[FlyFishinFool]

Hargrove heats his shop with a wood burning stove, so thats probably what your smelling...the lads smoke outside for the most part...cept for Wooly Bugger Eddy while he's tying on Saturday.

No - it is not the wood smoke issue - I like that smell. I am an ex-smoker, and simply do not care to be buried under tobacco smoke smell. As I said, I skipped buying a vest because it smelled like it had enough cigarette smoke in the fabric to have been in an all night poker game! Unfortunately I usually only get over there on the weekend, so if they are still smoking on Saturdays, I will have to wait until they begin meeting the letter of the new no-smoking law mentioned above. Thanks,

[Justin Spencer]

Most of my fishing knowledge on the North Fork has come from guys directly or indirectly associated with Hargrove's. When I bought Sunburst I was a mediocre park fisherman at best and spent countless fruitless hours trying to fish this difficult river. Over the course of a few years with open invitations to fish with many different people thanks to Tom, Craig, Chris and many of Tom's regulars (Gavin and Steve to name a few). I have learned to fish the river somewhat effectively. Whenever any of them are coming down they call and see if I need anything (think I still have an outstanding bill), and even brought a bunch of rods for me to try out before my purchase. Seems to me like customer service is number one with Hargrove's and that can be hard to find these days. Reading this thread as a business man I can only hope that our customers think as highly of us as Tom's do of him. Loyalty is the only way the smaller guy can compete these days and you only get that through doing things right. Fly shops are one of the few places left that have that home town feel where you can get not only merchandise but also valuable information that can improve the quality of your trip. Great job Tom and Craig, sounds like you have the go to place in St. Louis.

[Midwest troutbum]

I began fly fishing approx 12 years ago. Iv'e visited both shops a handful of times each year. I am not or have been an employee of any fishing store ever. I have purchased fly fishing equipment from both but would say more so from FC. Just a few observations over that time. Im not saying either shop is better than the other. I acknowledge many of you may disagree with my opinions based on your experiences. Im not trying to degrade any store. Im just posting my personal experiences and observations. You should visit both shops to have your own experience, as everyone has a different take on things and different needs.

My take on FC from listening in on customer conversations is they deal primarily with people that come from money and spend money. The shop is in tune with the sport as a whole, nationally and beyond and keeps a clean well stocked retail based shop. However, some of the customers want to make a person puke. Ive heard just about all the stories, from "we just got back from our vacation timeshare in the Bahamas..... and were thinking of doing some fishing at our condo in Aruba this week....to the customers: If its a true story or a lie, I still don't care to hear it while I'm enjoying my shopping experience. FYI, No one cares where you've been, and the whole shop doesn't need to know. I should ask next time over the top of the isle, "why do you live in Missouri?" Then they drive off in their Range Rover SUV or Audi. I guess I should be thankful I don't see them out on the streams I visit. Anyhow, if you can put all this aside, and if the Saturday retail associate is in a good mood, you can typically have a somewhat truthful retail /fishing based conversation. If you need to get in and stock up quickly, they tend to be able to do this well. I haven't been led wrong except for a few times.

H's is definitely the down to earth, mellow, and laid back type of shop. A grandpa's story telling kind of place. I prefer this walk back in time styled shop when thinking or wanting to talk about fishing. However, Iv'e had several unfortunate attempts to get attention or into any kind of conversation at the place. Seems like they mostly are more interested in tying than selling stuff, leading you to the fish or making a new customer/friend. The Saturday crew each time has given me the cold shoulder. Not sure why. I don't wear fancy clothes, drive a fancy vehicle, or boast about myself. Iv'e been in to look at purchasing flies for Missouri streams and a new fishing vest only to be disappointed in selection and advice. It seems you have to invest in all the fly tying equipment, the classes, the books, before you are even allowed to go fish or talk in the place. I can only assume they know I'm not a regular, I don't tie my own flies and therefore they choose not to make any kind of effort to break the ice. Iv'e tried several times with asking about stream fishing in Missouri. I know it's typically a Saturday when I stop in, but for someone who works longer hours than banking hours, its difficult to get there during business hours during the week... And forget about any kind of online catalog to order from. However, from what Iv'e witnessed, and heard for those that have an opportunity to begin with them, enter their close knit story circle, or don't care about staying on top of the latest gear the experience seems to be good.

Bottom line, drop 400 dollars or so at any store in the business world and everyone is your best friend. Come in looking to spend 40 dollars, ask about the recommended best fishing places or flies and most places will give you the cold shoulder and tell you to not let the door hit your behind on the way out.

**With all this negative stuff said about both, you have to visit both shops to have your own experience, as everyone has a different take on things and different needs. I should just be thankful we have a few options in St. Louis than just the national chains or only online sales.**

[ColdWaterFshr]

Bottom line, drop 400 dollars or so at any store in the business world and everyone is your best friend. Come in looking to spend 40 dollars, ask about the recommended best fishing places or flies and most places will give you the cold shoulder and tell you to not let the door hit your behind on the way out.

Ice cold!

I don't think thats the case with either shop. I'd say the reverse is true . . . lot of snobby shoppers these days it seems to me . . . expecting the royal treatment as they enter. Everyone is a restaurant critic these days.

[Mitch f]

Amen to that. Driving all the way to Manchester for materials turns into a whole day ordeal. I really wish there was a shop closer to home to go broke in.

Eric, saw this old post!!! LOL "all the way to Manchester"? 30 minutes for us man