Gavin Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 I like Reading's....I havent been to Bennett in 7-8 years......but on the rare occassion I stop there...Its always a hoot to get him rolling on a subject or jerk his chain by asking for something you cant find on the pegs or in the bins (Then watch him root around in a disorganized box and come up with it).
FlyFishinFool Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 I don't know what does now, but he used to go once a year to some far away exotic place. For the last several years Charlie has been making several trips per year to a lot of exotic places including New Zealand, Christmas Island, Russia, Brasil, Patagonia, etc. - if anyone is interested he frequently sets these trips up as a small group trip and coordinates the logistics for local travel, lodging, etc - just ask him about the next trip! * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
NoLuck Posted June 13, 2011 Posted June 13, 2011 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.... If you really want to get Charlie fired up ask him if he is a FFF certified casting instructor. I saw a guy ask him that once. Man was that a show!!
fishinwrench Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 If you really want to get Charlie fired up ask him if he is FFF certified casting instructor. I saw a guy ask him that once. Man was that a show!! LMAO! I bet. Next time you see him at the pond I dare you to say.... " Hey, I think I can help you iron out that flawed rollcast pickup".
mic Posted June 14, 2011 Posted June 14, 2011 LMAO! I bet. Next time you see him at the pond I dare you to say.... " Hey, I think I can help you iron out that flawed rollcast pickup". That's living on the edge.
XP 590 Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 Most surprising about Charlie is that he actually DOES know exactly where everything is in that store! Funniest Charlie story: A guy bought some barbless tungsten bh midges and came back to return them because all the fish were getting off. Charlie asked him what his normal average catch is at Bennett. The guy said he's happy with 6 or 7 fish. Then Charlie asked him how many he had already caught on these barbless midges, and the guy said over 15, in just a few hours.....but then continued to complain about how all the fish were getting off! Charlie refunded his money with a smile. The guy is probably still scratching his head trying to figure out that line of questioning. *** Agreed, Charlie can seem a little intimidating, but if you get past that, he's a wealth of info. Also agree about Ft Bennett, I've just started tying and can't believe all the stuff they stock, sometimes you just have to dust it off a little. For me, Weaver's has lost that warm and fuzzy touch. We had a camper there since I was a little kid and we loved Jerry and Brenda. Can't beat the park store for convenience. I used to think they were way overpriced but they don't seem to be so much anymore.
Members Hillbilly Deluxe Posted June 21, 2011 Members Posted June 21, 2011 I like the park store. It has the largest selection and it is well organized. FYI, lovetofish, the park store is run by Jim Rogers, not the park rangers. He is also the operator at Roaring River State Park.... and the finest caster of a fly rod I have ever seen. Saw him whip 90' of line (and into the backing) off a 9' #5 rod just the other day! Brian www.outdoorguysradio.com
NoLuck Posted June 21, 2011 Posted June 21, 2011 I like the park store. It has the largest selection and it is well organized. FYI, lovetofish, the park store is run by Jim Rogers, not the park rangers. He is also the operator at Roaring River State Park.... and the finest caster of a fly rod I have ever seen. Saw him whip 90' of line (and into the backing) off a 9' #5 rod just the other day! Charlie can cast a flyrod just as good as any FFF certified casting instructor. Just because you have an official title doesn't necessarily mean you are better than anyone else. The park store in my opinion is good for things you just need in a hurry and don't feel like running to get elsewhere. I guess if you want a t-shirt or souvenir the park store is great. Myself if I want something from a real flyshop I'll go up to Charlie or to Larry's. Fort Bennett has just about anything you need if you don't feel like running to town.
Members Hillbilly Deluxe Posted June 22, 2011 Members Posted June 22, 2011 I must have overlooked the t-shirts and souvenirs at the park store. I was too busy inspecting the huge array of flies, and getting an inpromptu complimentary 45-minute fly tying lesson from Jim. I'm pretty sure Jim's flyshop is "real" albiet a bit commercial. Yes, Charlie is a fine caster as well. Brian www.outdoorguysradio.com
NoLuck Posted June 22, 2011 Posted June 22, 2011 Is the park store fly shop in a different room than the regular grocery and souvenir store??. As long as I have been going there all I have ever seen is the stuff there by the counter near the tag sales counter and on the rear right as you walk in. They must have something else that you speak of other than that to speak so highly of.
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