Is the California Fly Shop dead?

[TigerLilly]

Did California Fly Shop go tits up? Their website is still live, but another board suggested they closed their doors.

[Lincoln Gray]

I heard from reliable sources that they are out of business.

[SST Flies]

Didn't they have a fire last month?

[TigerLilly]

Didn't they have a fire last month?

I heard they got some smoke and water damage from a fire in the mall in February. Maybe that was the tipping point? Their store had been pretty bare bones over this past year. I'd imagine a retail outfit like theirs in Silicon Valley would be a tough sell to a demographic that lives and dies on-line.

[Larry S]

Remember the Kaufmann Streamborn shop in the Portland area? Always tried to stop there when in the area.
So many changes! Please support the brick and mortar fly shops.
Best to all,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Kaufmann's Streamborn fly shops were the biggest deal in fly fishing for decades.

Randal published books, wrote articles, had a famous school system, powerful catalog sales, top guides, made Tiemco hooks popular, developed fly patterns, had a huge travel agency.

When Randal retired is slowing wound down to nothing.

He was the magic.................

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The first big deal in fly shops was Creative Sports in the 1970s with Andy Puyans and Dave Inks.

If you were there back in the day it was indescribable.

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I can tell you that having a small business in California is not a very good idea anymore.

Many are heading to other states like Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

[Carl Blackledge]

Then his brother took over and the place went to hell in a hand basket-total meltdown

[ifsteve]

Kaufmann's Streamborn fly shops were the biggest deal in fly fishing for decades.

Randal published books, wrote articles, had a famous school system, powerful catalog sales, top guides, made Tiemco hooks popular, developed fly patterns, had a huge travel agency.

When Randal retired is slowing wound down to nothing.

He was the magic.................

__________________________________________________ ______


The first big deal in fly shops was Creative Sports in the 1970s with Andy Puyans and Dave Inks.

If you were there back in the day it was indescribable.

__________________________________________________ ______


I can tell you that having a small business in California is not a very good idea anymore.

Many are heading to other states like Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Well small businesses, like flyshops, aren't setting any sales records in those states either although I suspect is a step up from LA LA land.

[wineslob]

Then his brother took over and the place went to hell in a hand basket-total meltdown

Reminds me of Powell.........

[Lincoln Gray]

In reality, it was not all Lance Kaufmann’s fault. When Randall left, Lance had to pay him off. Not only that, but the biggest reason for them closing was the death of their mother. She was the AP/AR part of the business. She ran the show!!