Aspirational Tackle

[turrifftackle]

Having just finished a refurbishment in my shop which has given an increase in size of one third, I thought I might carry out a little market research with the help of the members on here.

I have visited the opposition and was truly "enlightened". I thought the days of getting full RRP for things had gone. Obviously not.
Who now pays an rrp of GBP 95 for a Trion reel? Indeed I saw an item that was twice what I charge. The new Turbo cone flies at GBP 8.50- and most had been sold- are we all really that gullible - after all the cones are only 45 p retail.

However the purpose of this is to find out what tackle you have at present and if you were to upgrade-what would you buy.
ie. Currently own Oracle 10/11 15' salmon rod would upgrade to a Bruce and Walker 15' 9/10 Norway, Snowbee 2D 10/11 fly line would upgrade to a Carron 9/10 etc.

There is so much choice out there and this might go a little way to help me in providing what the customer wants .

Finally- how do you prefer to buy tackle.

Online, over the phone with some advice, or from your local shop -if you have one.

Thanks for your help

Frank

[crawfish]

personally i like to buy small items from the internet ie:- hooks or tubes and occasional fly tying materials but for items such as rods, reels and clothing i prefer my local tackle shop the service is one to one and so much friendlier

[JJ]

For what its worth -

- I always buy flies whenever I visit a tackle shop
- I never buy line (Seaguar, Super Shinobi) anywhere but a tackle shop
- I tie my own flies and tend not to bother with buying it off the internet as you cant check the quality.

I dont own a lot of tackle but i tend to save up for nice stuff

I own: Loop and Hardy reels, Sage or B&W rods and use Rio or IG lines - I dont look much beyond that.

As for aspirational tackle, I would love:-

an Ari T Hart reel
a Sage 12 foot grilse rod
a Hardy Swift salmon reel

I dress like Worzel Gummidge and wear cheap waders (new ones every 2 years as by then every make is shot to bits)

Best of luck - JJ

[acw]

Marquis #3s,carron lines,breathable waders that last for years ,replacement guarantees are a lot of good on day one of a weeeks fishing and the nearest dealer is a days drive away.
good variety of tying materials /hooks .
Most important is service,and looking after the guys who may be rich one day ,as a londoner since 1967 and a fly fisher shortly thereafter used to visit farlowes and hardys ,a few of the people wanted to know the long haired resivour hippy ,later years when I was a suit got better service ,now I am a long hair again and care little for appearance I get ignored ,not so with Norris /Dons /Woodys of Wembley/ O'Reillys/even Orvis of Dover st (which is mainly upmarket sporting clothes).So those are the places that get my cash ,along with Sparton,who always makes time for a gossip .BTW went to Farlowes yesterday ,spent nowt ,was totally ignored by the staff .Not impressed with the materials department ,out of stock on black tying thread!!!

[Sloggi]

Interesting subject - good to hear you enjoyed visiting Aberdeen's premiere tackle shop

Because of the above, I only really but urgent/essential items from there although in fairness they do match any internet price if you take the necessary proof.

Regarding the Guileline flytying equipment, I understand a lot has gone out mail-order. The prices are high and I'm not sure how good the idea is anyhow.

I buy almost all tackle online as you can generally get a bargain either here or across the pond so get a website with a shop would be my suggestion.

However, some competition in the locality would be also be good for Aberdeenshire anglers so it's good to hear of your expansion.

The Aberdeen shop do get demonstrations in from time-to-time - I enjoy that aspect (and we all buy!).

A small bugbear I have is accessing floating ruby red devons from 1 1/2" upwards. The Devon Minnow Store is great and Mac is extremely helpful - would be good to find a local supplier though.

p.s. I tie and sell my Frodin flies for £5 which is £9 cheaper than the man himself sells them for

[robmason]

I like to give my local tackle shop some custom, when they can be of service. For example, I got my breatheables and wading boots from them as I wanted to try them on first. Although "on offer" I could have had them for £50 less on line. Nylon, flies and small stuff I also buy from them. Fly lines, rods and reels I get from the cheapest source usually, but if I "try before I buy", I often pay more in return for the service- Tweedside Tackle, Kelso have been very good to me in the past- think I tried every rod in the shop!

Turriff Tackle and Trophies was always an enjoyable experience when I lived up north. Plenty of friendly advice and well stocked, shame it's no longer local for me.

PS. Never really got on with Somers. It was pricey, and they had a knack of completely ignoring me whenever I went in!

[williegunn]

robmason said:

PS. Never really got on with Somers. It was pricey, and they had a knack of completely ignoring me whenever I went in!

Someone post?

[fishyfriend]

Its a minefield out there regarding tackle. So many different companies all selling pretty much the same products with little differences and it's impossible to stock everything in less your Glasgow Angling Centre. But this choice comes at a price - did you know that when you phone GAC you are getting charged a premium rate?! Also they sell everything at FULL RRP, and give little discount/ no discount off single items, its only rod kits etc that they discount.

As for what to stock in the new look shop, everyones needs & wants are different, i would love a hardy swift rod, but i just cant afford one, so the like of a Daiwa salmon rod will have to do me for the time being till my job starts paying me more or the wife lets me spend more! :L

I shop at Somers and on-line. The Somers staff have helped me greatly over the years and in fact ive actually had a couple of days fishing with Colin from Somers and courtesy of Somers.

[diverdave]

Have to agree with Fishyfriend here, I have bought some real nice tackle at Somers and have had it discounted down to an excellent price. I like to support my local tackle shop, I get to try things on, when I break things they simply change them. I broke a hardy rod and they even delivered an alternate to the river so that i could continue fishing, (i think i also got lunch in the hotel) I have also had some superb free fishing out of them last season I got a spring day at Invery and a couple of autumn days on the tay at Kinnaird. Admitedly I have only used them for a coule of years since i re-discovered salmon fishing but I really have never had a problem. I have also found they are a shop that goes that little bit extra, such as organising Frodin to visit and demonstrate how and why to tie his flies and then have Hardys up for a casting demo. All free of charge for the angler.

So Colin, where are you going to take me this year!