My Flyshop

[Shaq 0]

 

Hello all,

 

I have a dream....and I just may be inching closer. One of the shops in the area is getting out of the tying business and that leaves a 40 mile radius in my area with one flyshop. It's not really a "Flyshop" because they sell basketballs and footballs and all that jazz. It's always been my dream to own a shop since I was a young fisherman and used to hang in the local shop watching the owner sit back and tie flies for me as I barked orders at what the fly "Should be" because I once got a strike on one. Just wanted to get all your opinions on what the ultimate flyshop should have, look like, and FEEL like. I have my ideas and I wanted to bounce them up on yours. Thanks alot for the input.

 

Shaq

[CjCalls 0]

Shaq Not trying to rain on your dream But Why is the shop going out of bussiness?

[Shaq 0]

You're not raining, bunch of reasons, he doesn't market it, he doesn't have anybody who knows about fishing that works for him, he has the stuff for a hobby, he doesn't know what all the stuff is about esp for the tying side. He had bought out a flyshop when he got into Flyfishing himself to keep himself in rods. I special order all my stuff from him. He also is primarilly a hockey shop and heavy into screen printing all the little leauge unis and wants to take the space given to fishing and get a embroidery machine. I have been doing some market analysis and talking to reps and everyone is in agreement that if somebody was to do it right, it could work.

[Sean Juan 0]

The first thing you will need is a bunch of old farts to sit around never buy anything and critique the purchases of your customers - if they have the ability to talk people out of buying stuff all the better.

 

Then you need the excessively friendly customer who always wants you to give him stuff for free.

 

Most importantly, this actually isn't a joke - get a casting pool. Most people wont buy a rod without casting one if they have the opportunity to cast it (and hopefully cast it very well) the likelihood that they will buy it increases. It would also be great to have to run casting classes - either for a fee or as a service which leads to increased sales (more fly fishermen in an area means more business).

 

I believe that when I die and go to hell the Ironic Torture Dept. will force me to run a fly shop. Not to discourage you world needs fly shops.

 

Good Luck.

[Joe Hard 0]

Shadow boxes of flies you and your freinds have tied all over the walls. Trophy fish mounts too. Boxes of fly sets and bins of single flies, tying materials everwhere, the expensive ones under glass locked up J.C. capes ect. One wall, full of rods, with specials marked on them. Another wall with lines and leaders and tools for fly fishing. A tying/ office area for you and for tying classes. Fly fishing things use your imiganation hanging from the ceeling. Pictures of fly fishing woman. Fly fishing info as to events, destinations and things like casting for recovery, and other donations, in plain site. A fish tank with some cool fish to gaze at. Fly fising clothes displyed and for sale. A display case with reels locked up. Insect repelent, and some cigars and beef jerky, even gum. Ice for sale, pop or beer if your allowed. You need a catch logo and Name for your shop. Web site and phone #. One thing that would put your shop above many is a place out back where you can cast and try rods, lines, ect. Good luck with this!!!

[Shaq 0]

Sean, I was thinking the same thing. in fact I was going to try and hire the old men muppets from the balcony to hang out.

 

Joe, You and I were on the same wave-length in fact I was thinking of a fly hall of fame where anybody could display a fly that they wanted to retire because it had caught a great fish. They could have a pic of the fish, a story and the fly mounted. I think that would be great. I have looked at buying a lace so I could get a casting pool out back. I like the fish tank idea.

 

 

[Guest]

Shaq,

 

I think it is a great idea and I have something for you to help. I have a copy of "The Fly Tackle Dealer's Guide to Success" by Jack Sayers. It is a very good source of info written by a guy who has been in the business for years. PM me your address and I'll send it to you.

[Shaq 0]

Sean, I was thinking the same thing. in fact I was going to try and hire the old men muppets from the balcony to hang out.

 

Joe, You and I were on the same wave-length in fact I was thinking of a fly hall of fame where anybody could display a fly that they wanted to retire because it had caught a great fish. They could have a pic of the fish, a story and the fly mounted. I think that would be great. I have looked at buying a place so I could get a casting pool out back. I like the fish tank idea. I also have a friend who has a cigar shop so I could prob get a small humidor

 

 

[Joe Hard 0]

I hate to say this but you should have a place where you can sell spinn type gear as not all fly fisherman are 100% fly only. They do have to buy things as well. Sales are sales

[flytire 0]

Go visit some real fly shops in your local and other outlying areas and write down what you liked or disliked about each one. That should guide you in your decision. Just remember, owning a fly shop just isnt a glorious job. Youll have days and weeks when noone comes in for purchases.

[Dble Haul 0]

Just remember, owning a fly shop just isnt a glorious job.

 

Bingo.

[Steeldrifter 0]

I'll tell ya the most important thing about a fly shop to me and it's not something that you can buy......but friendliness. I always go to the local fly shop because of the relationship I have with the owner, it's like visting an old friend when I go in there...first thing he says when I walk in is "hey Steve, hows it going....any trips planned?" .....to me stuff like that is what really makes a good fly shop.

 

I can drive a bit farther and find a fly shop that has all the latest high dollar gadgets and BS like that, but when I walk in there all I get is "can I help you sir?"...which is fine, but it's not the familiar feeling of someone that actually took the time to know you like some shops.

[bentflyrod 0]

The first thing you will need is a bunch of old farts to sit around never buy anything and critique the purchases of your customers - if they have the ability to talk people out of buying stuff all the better.

 

A coffee pot for the old guys!

 

Ditto on what steve said! I go to the same flyshop as him. they don't know me by name, but they are a friendly bunch. Owner and sales people alike! They are more than will to help and answer questions!

 

BFR

 

PS. Statler & Waldorf from the muppets are awesome!

[Lance Kekel 0]

I think most fly shops lose just as much business due to crappy attitudes from the guys running them as they do to online sales competition. The friendliness is big what you also need to be able to walk the line of being a saleman without seeming pushy. People are pretty sensitive to that and your staff need to be able to toe that line as well as you when you get to that point. I know people that like pieces of a shop but get turned off when they get guys working in the shop that don't want to give you much time unless your dumping $500 on a rod and reel.

Another one. Unless you are true destination shop I think you really need to have a web presence, preferably online sales as well. It's easier for guys to be loyal to your shop and spend a little extra to buy it from you than it is if they actually have to wait till they drive over to you.

[getholdofjoru 0]

If you get a fly shop make sure to charge a ton of money for stuff and only carry the high end merchandise. Or be reasonable and carry some inexpensive starter kits and make sure to have beginning classes available.