St. Louis Fly Shops

[ness]

Alright MTB -- please take the post in the way it was written -- as a joke. Just pokin' ya.

[Mitch f]

I go to those 2 places probably twice a year to get jig tying materials. Certainly not enough where they know me. I walked in on Friday and at both places they yelled hello as soon as I walked in and were very helpful.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

So what did you think, past the initial " Hello " at either shop ?

just wondering.....

[BredMan]

I got my first casting lesson at Feather-Craft when I was like 13 and the internet didnt even exist. Back then it seemed more like a true 'fly shop', guys hanging out, shooting the bull, like what Hargrove's seems to be now.

The last couple times I've been in FC, the actual shop seems to be more of an afterthought. There's basically one guy manning the register just to make sure no one robs the place. Their internet business clearly seems to be their focus, which I totally get, this is the digital age, and whatever a business has to do to stay afloat is good with me. The only real complaint I have is that half the stuff isn't stocked in the shop and you inevitably have to ask them if they have it in the back, which they usually do.

I totally agree with this assessment as well. I get into both shops 3-4 times a year. Based on my experiences the guys at Hargroves have always been friendly and eager to help. At FC that's not the case anymore and FC has one individual that could really use some CR-101 (customer relations) which would help their atmosphere. Other guys I know that shop FC have mentioned this to me as well.

In the past couple years I have definitely favored Hargroves. Not sure what's going on at FC but it sure isn't what it used to be and that has deminished my desire to shop there.

[ness]

That kind of treatment seems to be a general trend, and I just don't understand that. With so many of the mom-and-pop stores (of all kinds) replaced by big box megamarts, I would think the remaining small ones would recognize their strengths and leverage them. Good service and personal attention to customers will always have a place, and trumps selection and price a lot of the time.

We've got a local fly shop that lost my business a long time ago because they just couldn't figure that out. They have a mail order/internet business but I don't know the mix of business. Regardless -- if you've got a store front, you ought to run it right.

[Mitch Garstang]

Hi all, new guy here

you have to remember Feather-Craft is like any other product mail order catalog store now, not your local good ol guy shop. they just happen to be located here. like Midway USA Gun supplys or the Horse tac shop that was in my old town of Eldon MO. only look there for specific items out of stock elsewhere or on sale clearances as you'll get zero personal help from those order packagers. basically Hargroves is the only "Local Fly shop" this far from the Springs WE fish in. I too live in St Charles county (only by necessity) but am disabled now and dont get to fish much as I'd like due to several physical health conditions. I just like any kind of fishing that I dont have to walk far or be exposed to sun or too far from restroom (hence the health conditions limitations) I am on low fixed income have Dr appointments often as does My Wife. my kids, grandkids etc are either far off or have no time for going fishing and I am looking for fishing buddy/s (without subscribing to some paid site) that I could go with some times just to enjoy an old favorite past time. even if no fish taken or catch & release. after all its not called 'Catching' lol. I got all the fishing gear I need plus for guests like my family/friends just no boat etc yet working on getting a cartop boat and small motor traded someday but even a inclosed fishing dock is fine with me. ultra-lite is my main choice and have heavy cat-fishing stuff too and fly. mostly telescopic rods besides the heavy stuff I like pack gear that stows easy to keep onboard my hunting/fishing rig which is also being finished yet.