Another one bites the dust.

[unskunkable]

Reno Fly Shop former 2nd home to Andy Burk and many others is closing down. There are a few different factors at play but very sad regardless. On a good note I did save a bunch of money by switching my car insurance to Geico And I also have a spey outfit and no clue how to use it. Should be fun!

[lucfish]

Sad....

[Eric]

That is to bad. Sign of the times.
Eric

[fflutterffly]

That is really bad news. When ever karen and I would arrive in town we'd make a bee-line to the shop, support it with a few fly purchases and purchase our license. They always had excellent news about the "lake", freely given. I will miss them. But how can you compete when Cabellas and Orvis are just down the road.

As for the Spey.... I'd like to learn to cast one of those things as well. Keep us informed. PS. Where protective sunglasses and a very big brimmed hat when learning. I've had friends who ended up wearing stealhead flies as earings and on one video this buy had his cheek pierced. Oy

[Rockstar Fisherman]

You've got to be kidding me!!! Wow, it's amazing how the game expands and contracts. Oh well that's how it goes and within I'd say 3 years another will emerge as the new dominant shop/local knowledge.

Don't be sad though, IT IS A SIGN OF THE TIMES, the internet is the new way, and I'm old enough to know the difference from "older" to "modern day" times in a sense. Remember I NEVER buy rods from shops anymore, and buy very little amount of flies/tackle from shops because of all the great friends I have on here who can make it for me if I buy the parts and add in a tip.

Still nothing beats visiting a local fly fishing shop, but reality is most of us do it ourselves or know others that are willing, therefore how do they make their $$$$$$ since we're all about customization and budgets? Oh and god forbid the bait fisherman keep the shops alive, reality is they do in more places than you think, who makes their own powerbait??? At least that's my spin on it.

Mike

[Pete]

As Rockstar said the internet is the sign of the times. Unfortunately that doesn't help when you are buying "things" you need to see in person. I won't buy feathers or fur from the internet. Good hackle feathers are big tickets items when it comes to spending bucks on fly tying.

Its hard to get up on local conditions from the big box stores. Fished the Sandy Utah area and the big box store didn't know a thing about the local fly fishing.

Pete

[planettrout]

I am with Pete on feathers fur and a number of other items...if I can't put my paws on 'em, I won't buy it...especially on feathers, deer hair and natural furs...I first stumbled into the Reno Fly Shop back in the early 80's...really nice guys...unfortunate . I do not walk into "Big BOX" stores of any description...I continue to support the little guys...

PT/TB

[duckdog]

I have never been in that shop but it still saddens me to see another small buisness shut down.To pour your time , and money-- your life really into something and then to see it fail is just a shame.
Like Pete , I will not buy any feathers , fur or hair by mail and try support small fly shop as much as possible.

[Papasequoia]

It's unfortunate that many of the small fly shops can't afford to stock "feathers, fur or hair." It costs a lot of money up front to carry a large inventory - that's part of the edge that the larger stores have.

[NorcalBob]

"It's unfortunate that many of the small fly shops can't afford to stock feathers, fur or hair"
Mine did. But that statement is likely true. I had the largest inventory of tying materials in the Bay area by a ginormous margin. No local shop even came close. Had to drive over 150 miles to the next shop that had more tying stuff than mine. I also sponsored a local tying club in my shop. Didn't make a difference since the majority of FF don't tye their own.
"I won't buy feathers or fur from the internet"
I used to say and practice that exclusively. Now, I can't, because I would have to drive 150 miles to the nearest fly shop that has a decent stock of tying materials. Everything is now bought from the internet because I have no local sources to fondle before I buy (and that pi$$es me off).
"I NEVER buy rods from shops anymore"
Not pointing fingers or establishing blame, but Mike isn't alone in that thought. Most FF practice that. I hear a lot on FF forums about supporting your local fly shop. But there are very few that actually do. And that's why small local fly shops that don't have a local guiding business are going to be a thing of the past. And to be truthful, the reason that most local fly shops fail, is because the market is not large enough at that location to actually support a fly shop. That's why I closed mine down.
"the big box store didn't know a thing about the local fly fishing"
So true. Good luck getting someone who knows what they're talking about in a big box. Some do have experienced people, most don't. The business reality is, an exclusive fly shop won't have the business to survive against a store that has more than fly fishing equipment to sell to help pay the overhead. I often thought about subletting a small amount of space in my local REI to sell FF stuff, but REI wasn't interested in doing it.

[Rockstar Fisherman]

I do want to reiterate the fact that I am disappointed to see this store closed. I do love visiting all fly shops and do try my best to buy at least something everytime I go in. I really miss having the convenince of Buzz's here in Bakersfield, and always would stop by the Reno fly shop on my imaginary trips to Pyramid Lake. That trip will become real one day!!

[Flyjunkie]

Personally I buy Fly rods from a Shop... The Shop will let you practice Cast the rod prior to Purchasing it..
Like Car dealerships allowing you to test drive the Car prior to purchase... and for the Same reason... You do not How the Rod will fit Your Casting Style until you load line on it and give it a whirl outside the shop. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of how the Rod casts, until you try it with your own unique Casting style you do not know how the rod will perform for You.
I rarely go into big Box stores and for the Same reasons Folks have already posted.. Most of them don't have folks working who know what they are talking about (there are some who do, but they are in the ragingly small minority).

'tis unfortunate to see the Reno Shop closing down....

[NorcalBob]

Mike, Please do realize I'm not attacking you or pointing fingers, and if I inadvertandly implied that, please accept my apology as that's not my intent. I just copied your quote because it was easily available. And your quote is quite true and reflects the feelings of the majority of FF.

[Rockstar Fisherman]

Mike, Please do realize I'm not attacking you or pointing fingers, and if I inadvertandly implied that, please accept my apology as that's not my intent. I just copied your quote because it was easily available. And your quote is quite true and reflects the feelings of the majority of FF.

No I didn't take it that way or from anyone, just felt that through all my talk I didn't quite emphasize on the fact that I do really enjoy having the shops around and am sad to see it go.