Turning Stones Blog

Where to Purchase Fly Fishing Equipment

Where to Purchase Fly Fishing Equipment

Wednesday, 07 April 2021 12:32

Are you thinking about taking on a new hobby? If you are considering fly fishing, we should want to give you a few words of warning before you start sinking your hard-earned money into it:

  • You will need to spend a lot of time in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
  • It’s so addicting; you will not be able to put it down. You’re going to want to spend all your spare time in the water.
  • You will likely want to invest in a good camera or binoculars to get the best view of all the majestic wildlife you will see.
  • You are going to have to carve out time to share your new love of fly fishing with your friends and family. 
  • Whether you fish in catch and release waters or get to keep what you get, you are going to have a lot of stories to tell. 
  • You may need to budget for sending your favorite guides a Christmas card when they become your new best friends. 

Speaking of budget, like any hobby or sport, there will be some initial start-up costs as you gear up. We want to help you decide where to shop for your fly fishing equipment. Should you run down to your local big-box store, scour the internet, or try your hand at a smaller fly local shop Fish Tales Outfitter  in Franklin, NC and Brookings in Cashiers, NC? Here are the pros and cons of each. 

 

Pros and Cons of Shopping for Fly Fishing Gear at a Big Box Store

You can find everything in your town’s big-box retailer. Some are lucky enough to have more than one massive shopping center from which to choose. Can you find the fly fishing gear at one of the big guys? Here are the pros and cons.

Pros

  • While it is not a guarantee, the big-box store will likely have some gear. 
  • You will likely have a low starting cost at a big-box store.
  • You may be able to walk out with everything you need in one trip.

Cons

  • You will probably not have anyone to help you learn exactly what you need. It will be up to you to guess. 
  • It is unlikely the big-box store is going to have the best brands and materials. 
  • It is possible whatever you find will be generic and not necessarily what you need for your specific area. 
  • Most likely they will not have everything you need.

Grade: We give the option a D-. While you can probably find something at one of these, you are not likely to find the best equipment. You’re also unlikely to find someone to help you buy the right gear. 

Pros and Cons of Shopping for Fly Fishing Gear Online

You can find everything on the internet. You can read enough articles and watch enough tutorials to become an “expert” on anything. Here are the pros and cons of shopping online.

Pros

  • Whether you are searching for the cheapest options, the best options, or something in between, you will be able to find it on the internet.
  • You should be able to do enough research to get a good sense of exactly the type of equipment you will need for wherever you want to fish. 
  • You can stock up on supplies. 

Cons

  • You may have information overload as you try to navigate through your research. 
  • You will likely have to read hundreds of reviews to narrow down your search. 
  • As a novice, you may have trouble determining who is right and who is wrong. 
  • You will have to remember to order your equipment in time for your trip. A shipping issue could set you back and delay your fly fishing adventure.

Grade: We give the option a C+. While you have better access to the gear and information you need, you will have to wade through so many options; it is going to be difficult to find the expertise you need to make a decision.

Pros and Cons of Shopping for Fly Fishing Gear at the Local Fly Fishing Outfitter

Shopping local has become a buzzword, but the idea is more than a passing trend. It is the way communities have survived since the beginning. Here are the pros and cons of shopping local for your fly fishing gear. 

Pros

  • You will have experts who know the area in which you are fishing. 
  • You will likely still get the best pricing. 
  • You will get the chance to build relationships with interesting people. 
  • You are not going to be sold a lot of things you do not need. 
  • Your local outfitter will likely order anything you need. 

Cons

  • You might grow to appreciate the shop so much; you may end up spending all your time there instead of fishing. 
  • Your favorite outfitter may not be where you live. 
  • There really are few cons. 

Grade: We give this option an A++. Your local outfitters will know and have everything you need. If for some reason they don’t, they will probably order it for you. 

Your favorite local outfitter will probably be able to recommend expert fly fishing guides as well. Many local shops recommend our guides here at Turning Stone’s Fly Fishing. We know the waterways of western North Carolina and North Georgia like the backs of our hands. 

Whether or not you have your gear, contact Turning Stone’s to begin your fly fishing adventure. 

Looking for more tips? Read our article on how to be successful in the summertime heat.

Written by:

Gordon began fly fishing as a teenager in southwestern Pennsylvania, where he was raised. He has snagged great catches from as far away as Nevada, California, and Belize. However, he and his wife decided to settle in western North Carolina, where they started Turning Stones. Gordon is a Certified Casting Instructor for the Federation of Fly Fishers and the  Southeastern Coach of the USA Youth Fly Fishing Team.

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