The Best Fishing Shop At Bennett

[mic]

Personally, I like Reading's best..why...because if you imagine a fly shop in a movie, that is what it would look like. Plus...I love how Charlie can explain things like my high school physics teacher. You know he is right. You have no idea what he is telling you...but...you know if you can figure it out it is important. It always makes me laugh.

I will share this secret that I learned last week. Fort Bennett, the general store outside the park, has a very good selection of fly tying materials. The guy at the counter may not know marabou from dubbing, but the selection was really good. Also, if he is not to busy, the owner at Larry's will show you how to tie a fly. Basically, I use all of them.

[fishinwrench]

The owner of a truly good flyshop should be a "genuine character"..... that's just the way it is supposed to be.

Charlie Reading is a legend. If you don't believe me, just ask him

[Wayne SW/MO]

Not only that he goes fishing once a year.

[NoLuck]

Wayne ,

That may be the truth. He could get more fishing done if he would cut his speaches a little shorter and organize a little better. Everytime I go in that place I end up looking more than anything just to see what I can find. You would be amazed at what he has in there and he probably doesn't even know where it is. LOL

[rcguy]

I go to Charlies when I want a good opinion on line, rods, reels, flies. I think he is very knowledgeable. You will find yourself ready to kill him and run out if the store screaming after the first 30 minutes if you catch him on one of his "lecture" days.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Wayne ,

That may be the truth. He could get more fishing done if he would cut his speaches a little shorter and organize a little better. Everytime I go in that place I end up looking more than anything just to see what I can find. You would be amazed at what he has in there and he probably doesn't even know where it is. LOL

I don't know what does now, but he used to go once a year to some far away exotic place.

[Greg]

Charlie is an interesting guy for sure. I like him fine. My wife is a lot less tolerant of his lectures. I can remember the first time I met him he asked me if I knew who he was. He proceeded to tell me he was one of the legends in fly fishing right up there with Dave Whitlock and Bob Clouser. I thought he was blowing smoke at the time but I think he really is a very well respected "name" in the sport. Some of his custom fly rods are incredible one of kind pieces of art.

Greg

[oneshot]

Weavers or Wal Mart for me.

oneshot

[NoLuck]

I like Charlie too. He is just a little opinionated about somethings that I know are different from his opinion. He does have a vast knowledge of the sport and it's beginnings though. I just figure if I'm in a hurry that I need to get in and out without discussing something of an opinionated subject.

Someday I will have him whip me up one of his custom rods so I can pass it on to someone. It would make a good heirloom.

[DustyPockets]

Larry's for the most part. Kelly (Larry's son) is pretty helpful. We stay there if the park is full. Park store for convience and from time to time drop in at Weavers, the new owners have expanded the shop and I will make it a point to buy more from them, BTW they have an online fishing report that is quite nice when planning a trip.

Now on to Charlie........I will have to thank him, he sold me a nice little 3wt Echo fly rod that I use all the time. Charlie can be a little intimidating for the casual flyfisherman though.

Oh unless your a world class fly caster............skip his casting pond and just sneak out the door....