Best $ value shopping for fly fishing products?

[Phil Synhorst]

Hey Bill,

This is a tricky question. Are you wondering about cost; or the value of great advice, testing equipment, and building relationships with people?

Value to me is what I have always gotten when I walk into your shop. I like to get advice from people I trust, and be able to try out different equipment to see what suits me.

For the record, here and there over the years I have bought small items; file, box, shirt; at supposed discount stores or online. Only to come into the shop shortly after that, and see the same or similar item for the same price, or maybe a nominal amount more. And have always walked out kicking myself in the butt for not spending the money at my local small business, where I've always gotten great service.

[thepeacockspecial]

If by high end you mean $700-800 fly rods and $400 reels, I'm not interested. I can afford them but don't need them.

exactly how i feel. I do not feel the need to buy a super expensive rod i nthat range. I think most people do not end up buying rods/fly fishing is because the gear is so expensive. For me, if it works.. that is all that matters. I for one am a big fan of TFO. It is not as pricey, and their stuff works great. As for reels, the konic works VERY well too, and it is not as pricy as other reels. I think more people would be interested in fly fishing if gear werent so pricey. More fly fishing addicts = more business. Agree or disagree ?

[mike borba]

As fly fishing consumers we've never had it so good. 20 years ago I bought a "top of the line" fly rod for about $300. The TFOs I've bought in the last five years cost from $150 to $250. They are better rods than the $300 rod, and cost less even after 20 years of inflation. There are plenty of other companies putting out excellent products. Most anglers IMO buy much more reel than they need. I bought an Orvis barstock Battinkill a few years ago (from Kiene's) for a little more than $100. I should include it in my will because I'm sure it will outlive me.

[Mike O]

I would like to buy a Sage for my daughter, as that is her name. That being said, I will definately buy it discounted. Either used on this site, or another, or on sale in a shop. There is no possible way that I am ever going to buy a rod full price. With what I make and what I can spend, all of my rods (mostly Redington) and reels (various lower end models) have been bought on closeout. 2 reels from Kienes, rods from the ISE show, online from local fly shops, and in a brick and mortar Sierra Trading Post at a huge discount.

My fervent wish is that Kiene's would open an online shop with a clearance section, by which I could look at the exact rod from home (Woodland) without driving in, buy it, and pick it up in the store. Other local shops have done this, and I shop online with them sometimes. However, when I am looking for fly tying materials or geegaws, I go to Kiene's first, and usually only. I would love to go first and only to Kiene.com/storecloseouts or whatever if that were an option.

I know that you post these killer deals on this forum, that is how I got great deals on Ross Worldwide Reels and a couple of lines from you, but a picture is nice.

I know this makes me sound like a freakin' cheapskate, but that's my real life situation. Money was tight for me before people started realizing they paid too much for their house.

MAO

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Maodiver,

That is one of the best answers..........at the end of every season all shops can buy up the discontinued products at great prices and put them on close-out.

Thanks

[mikel]

If you were going to buy a new high end fly rod with a high end fly reel and top fly line, basically a complete high end fly fishing outfit, and you live in California where would you buy it?

Bill...to answer that question directly...since Ernie's is closed, probably at your shop.

BUT...as other's have said:

(1) I don't ever see a "high end" outfit in my future that isn't used. For instance, I recently picked up a 2wt Orvis Superfine with BBS2 reel for $200 in excellent condition.

(2) For a new rod I'd be looking at TFO, Echo, Redington and the other brands that have rods of good quality and with solid warrantees under the $200 price point.

When the discounters have rods that are $100 or more off the list price they are hard to pass up, even for those that WANT to support their local fly shops.

Hope this helps you...-Mike

[BillB]

Tough one for me Bill. Since Buz's is gone there are no fly shops in my area. I generally shop on the internet and look for no tax, no shipping. On high end merchandise though I like to see/feel it before purchasing. Therefore, I have to travel to a shop. The last fly shop I was in is yours. When I was looking for Simms waders it was imperative that I first try them on (12-13 lg or 12-13 xl or . . .), so it made sense to travel 180 miles, try them on and get on down to the river. I would be remiss to lay down a large sum of money on a rod I never held/cast.

Many items are priced the same from place to place so I often find myself purchasing items tax free. I am sure that the exorbitant sales tax in California doesn't do your business, or any other business, any favors.

[Mike Churchill]

Bill, I am with Mike Borba and Phil on this one: I have better things to spend my money on than top of the line fly rods. I have bunch of rods I have purchased at lower price points that work just fine. (All purchased from your shop except for a couple bought used in your parking lot and then matched with reels and lines from your shop and the TFO NXT 8/9 package rod that I bought off the internet because you didn't have it in the store.) Among other things, the pain I get every time I think about my Sage DS2 that has been on the bottom of Lake Amador in deep water since 2006 (didn't set it down exactly where I usually do on the after I netted that fish while float tubing) would have been much greater if that had been a high end Sage [for the record, I had actually bought that one at the San Jose Fly Shop when I lived in the Bay Area].

While I live in Folsom and work in downtown Sacto, your shop is definitely not the most conveniently located flyshop for me and I have to make a special 30 minute trip to go there. Which I do when ever I need anything flyfishing related because I appreciate the value I get from shopping there and from this message board. You carry a great inventory, have a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff, competitive prices, and this message board is a tremendous resource for new and experienced flyfishers. I have been in the other shops in town but I don't intend to go back to them for anything so long as you keep your doors open.

I moved to the Sacramento area 5 years ago and immediately both joined one of the local FF clubs and started reading this board. I've met a lot of friends and learned a lot about fishing the local waters from both, but this board has by far been the more valuable of the two. While I only occasionally post, I it almost every day. When I'm stuck working long hours with no days off, I at least get some vicarious fishing in with Ed, Dave, Jay, Hairstack, and the rest.

Now, then, a TFO Clouser rod isn't "high end," but that's what's next on my "gotta have" list. (While I don't have 16 rods yet, I do have an 8/9, an 8, two 7's, two 5's, and two 3's.)

Mike

[RenoLipRipper]

In the past I would have seeked out a small private fly shop. That is were I have boutht the majority of my stuff. I lived in So. Calif. (Anaheim Hills) so I went to Bob Marriots in Buena Park, a store much like yours I assume. Great products, great staff etc.. Bought my XP, Z-Axis, Marriots branded fry rod, and reels.

Bought one Z-Axis at Trout Fitter in Mammoth due to a broken rod on the trip and got a new reel.

Lately I have a friend in Orange County who builds his own rods and those for many others. He has done over 2500 rods for both salt water, and fresh water so I would go through him. I think he does a better job than you can get from a factory rod. Mostly Sage, with some G-Lomis etc.. I have gotten 3 from him. But usually have to wait a bit as he is very busy all the time wrapping rods for lots of people. What started out as a hobby is much more now. Plus he has a full time job and a family of 4.

However, last year I needed a 8# for Pyramid with reel and line. Would have been over $1,000 from a store or my friend in O. C. .

Didn't want to drop that kind of dough, so I went over to Cabella's in Reno. Bought their top of the line rod, (L-Tech) and a RLS reel for $200 + tax and line. It was promo.. AND A NO BRAINER.

Sure I would have liked a new Sage and reel, but this one is getting the job done well.

Don't know if I would buy the top of the line stuff anymore. There are trade offs, but at my level I don't always notice them and the budget being what it is.

I know Marriot's used to or still does have a banner againest their wall thanking customers for purchasing at their store and supporting the small independent shops.

I bought tons of flys there.

Now I might go to stores that have discounted flys (as I don't tie) or now I get most of my flies from my friend who has a conection in Africa. $5-6 for a dozen. Can't be beat. Granted not always as nice as the flies from shops, but for the price and the fact that they do work got go with them most of the time.

Also I know many of the shops get their flys from a 3rd or 4th world country also, but the price is still $1.75 +, so the savings is not being passed on.

But I would buy from my friend in O.C. Calif. if I needed a top of the line new rod, reel, line etc.. But if I did not have this connection would look for the best price on what I wanted and go from there.

I know some of the big box stores sell a ton of kits for about $200 bucks. Most newbies don't have the budget for the high end stuff or the need.

I am in need of a new float tube, and I will probably go to Cabella's for the purchase. I alway check Cabella's first. And due to time being so valuable I don't always check any of my local small shops in the area. I just TRUST that Cabella's is giving me a good deal. They have been great if I have a problem, no hassle return I had on a Hummingbird 140C fish finder, returned it and got a new one. Wouldn't say the staff is always great etc. but I usully have done my research and know what I want before walking in.

Don't feel good about buying on the internet. I usually like to touch and feel the product. I have bought other items, not fly fishing related but had no problems.

Just my long two cents.

If I lived closer to Sact. I would check out your store, I am sure it is a GREAT one, but distance to far.

[590Mike]

Bill great question and thanks for all the service you and the guys have provided over the years. Some time back Alan was showing someone a New Sage LL II 2 piece for the outrageous price of $225.00 I still remember thinking "that's damn near a truck payment" but he assured me the rod was a pleasure to cast, and could really put a fly where I wanted it so I bought some flies and left. Two days later I'm standing in the parking lot with Alan casting this "magic wand" I bought the rod about a month later. I fished that rod for 17 years and still have it I rarely fish the rod lately as I bought a Bradley bamboo 5wt and love it. I have more rods than screwdrivers nowadays but I'm not in construction anymore anyhow.

Now that I'm thinking about it you sold me one of the first Galvan reels that came into the store, and I still have that one also,along with some and OB-3 and a T-6.

Since its too late to make a long story short, but between purchases everyone at the shop has been helpful with fishing reports,directions to spots and advice. Service is why I shop at your store and will continue to shop there.

So again,wait.... what was the question again? Oh yea
I have some "high end " rods I bought from you and also have some "value" rods, 2 of which I bought out of the 20 gallon drum that sat at the end of the rod rack across from the counter. We bought a couple Cortland IM-6 2 piece 3/4 weights for $99. I think they were 7 footers, I need to call my Uncle and get that rod back. Again the guys in the shop said they had a nice action and were priced right. That kind of advice can't be found or had at a discount. Ok again thanks for all the service and help.