Sports Unlimited on Arden Way in Sacramento, CA.

About 50 years ago I got my start working at one of the top Sporting Goods Store in Nor Cal.

We sponsored Bel Lange's "The Outdoorsman" television show.

We had the most guns for sale, new and used, in Nor Cal.

We had 3 to 5 gunsmith in a shop in the rear who did warranty repair for all major brands.

We had a large ammunition reloading department too.

They also sold tennis, golf, skiing, and back packing equipment.

They hired me to work in the fishing tackle department part time when I as going to Sac State studying fisheries.

In the fishing department we had Orvis split cane fly rods, Hardy reels and were a Cortland Pro Shop.

We had Dan Bailey's flies tied in Livingston, Montana. Fenwick rods and Pflueger reels were a main stay.

Everyone who was a serious hunter or fisherman came to our store.......fly shops did not really exist back then.

We had the biggest stock of fly tying materials too.


It was the hang out for all the local top fly fishers from the Greats Generation.

This is where I met all the wonderful men who helped me at my shop. Joe Shirshac, Walt Bennett, George Martin, Chuck Campana,

Neil Hansen, Jack McLaughlin, Mac Holloway, Joe Patterson, Wally Westlake, Henry Starr and more that treated me like I was their

son or nephew. Al Perryman and Bob Giannoni are both from my generation, the Baby Boomers, and help me so much too.


You could probably write a book about any one of these guys.....true "Outdoorsmen". Most were in World War II, they all went

through the Great Depression, they all hunted and fished their entire lives. These are the kind of men that after World War II built

this country to what it is today.


Most of these guys are in the movie, Rivers of a Lost Coast.


My late uncle, Tom Anderson, helped me all through my life, especially around my shop, as he was a very talented guy.



I worked at Sports Unlimited, West Capitol Rod & Gun, Tower of Sports, then started The Fly Hutch, then Fly Fishing Unlimited and

finally Kiene's Fly Shop........50 years?

So very cool Bill! I loved coming in your shop as a rep and as a friend! Stay Well Sir!!

You and Lance need to make a big Bio on your lives......starting with be two sets of twins.

Your commercial custom salt water fly business.

Places you have traveled to?

LOL, yes someday! The stories that could be told!

Lincoln,

I'm more interested in the ones that couldn't be told!
You two boys have been true stewards for the fishing
environment.
Best and keep laughing!
Larry S
Sun Diego

I remember the shop on Arden Way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a across the street was a Thirfty Drug Store and a bit farther east was a White Front Store.

When Folsom dam was being built and the lake filled my dad bought me a Mitchell 300 at that Thrifty store. We'd always get an ice cream cone there too.

Dad and I would fish with worms right at the dam and catch small black bass as fast as you could bait a hook. When they were filling the lake there'd be snakes hanging and floating in all the driftwood as the water rose. The Sacramento Bee even had articles and pictures of them trying to get out of the water.

About a block away there was another gun shop on Fulton Ave.called Dick's. Even before having a car (15yrs.) Dick sold me a Browning 25 cal. auto. We used to shoot near the river behind where Cal-Expo is now. There was no Cal-Expo then.

Growing up in Sacramento back then was an experience. Lots of good old memories . Remember the old Star theater on J St. ?
Geez, I love talking about the good old days and growing up back then.
Tony

Billy -

As always, thank you! Bob G