Local Shops

[TazNH]

I have been catching up on reading the forum and I feel I must plug local fly shops. I know that we have online and in person choices with LL Bean and Cabelas etc. However, our local shops have local knowledge and expertise that the big boxes do not. So lets keep our $$ local and visit Mt. Road Fly, W.S. Hunters, Eldrege Brothers. :P

[Hegel]

I'll second that! I'm afraid that a good deal of my list chatter has mentioned the names of places like Cabelas, Orvis, (E-bay) etc. As I said before, this is something I feel badly about. But, the money-to-be-spent there was, at least in my case, and I believe the cases of a few others' contributions, the result of receiving the now ubiquitous "holiday gift-card" gifts from these giant stores. (Does Orvis count as Big Box?, what if you're from Manchester, VT?)

In any case, I took my first trip to W.S. Hunter in Concord this past summer while visiting my sister-in-law there and was blown away, both by the shop's inventory, but also the discussion. In fact, I caught fish the following day in large part as a result of taking their advice and (perhaps even) using a few of their patterns. If you're not near Concord and haven't ever checked out their on-line catalogue, I can't recommend it enough.

As for the other shops that TazNH mentions, I haven't hit them yet, but am very excited to do so. I know we're nto supposed to "advertise" on the list, but I would love to get links to any local shop web pages. So, let me stick my neck out first and offer up W.S. Hunter's:

http://www.wshunter.com/

Keeping it local keeps it real.

Thanks TazNH!
-Hegel-

[lowwall]

Although I don't visit them enough, and buy allot of stuff 2nd hand on ebay and build my own roads. My Favorite shops are:


http://www.mountainroadfly.com/


http://www.stoneriveroutfitters.com/


Posthumously:
American Angling Supplies, Salem NH
RIP

[StrBender]

I spend all my $$$ at the local shops. I have 2 near me in MA that are quite good. First Light Anglers & Rivers Edge Traiding Co. BUT when I have some extra $$$ and want to stock up on tying materials etc. I go see THE MAN 8) Tom Jutras @ Mountain Rd Fly.

[Casey A. Wood]

There's a new shop in Windsor, Vt. at 9 State Street. He just opened up about a month, and was just setting up shop. He is expecting more merchandise. Seemed like a amable guy. From Winston, Mt.(?) I believe. A guider. His wife orginally was from here, so he came back to open a shop. Might be worth the time to visit. I'd like to think I spread what little money I spend around.

[Steamtrain]

casey
do you have any more info on that shop, i 've never heard of anything new in windsor

my favorite shop is
gates ausable lodge in MI

hanover outdorrs is a nice litttle fly shop

[logan]

Can't say enough good things about Tom and Mountain Road Fly. Friendly, patient and accomodating, he made me (a relative novice) feel very welcome in his shop. He also gave great advice that put me on some nice fish.

I recommend his shop in the strongest possible way.

[jhicks]

Stoneriver Outfitters is my bet for stuff. Besides several of the guys from the shop frequent this board.

[fessiewig]

If you're in the North Conway area, then it's the North Country Angler for sure! Let's face it folks, we've got several really good shops around the state and it depends on where you live and work as to which one you're going to frequent.

[StrBender]

Another shop in the Conway area is Clearwater on Rt 16 in Conway. Steve is a member/contribitor here at times. I think Steve & Tom J. were cut from the same mould. 8)

[mer]

If you're in the North Conway area, then it's the North Country Angler for sure! Let's face it folks, we've got several really good shops around the state and it depends on where you live and work as to which one you're going to frequent.

Well, the problem is that I drive past StoneRiver every day, twice a day, going to and coming home from work. Good thing the butcher shop is in the same plaza, then I'm not lying when I tell my wife "I need to stop at the butcher shop on the way home..."

:)

[fessiewig]

There's a nice cigar shop there too :D

[Plow Jockey]

I've only been in one bad fly shop and that was in Stowe. They just didn't to care if I was there or not.
Vt. troutfitter in Jeffersonville, Vt is a really nice little shop. You can fish the Lamoile on the way too. :D