Simms Fly Fishing Announces Direct Selling

by Mysticfish on February 18, 2012

Simms Fly Fishing Announces Direct Selling

I just got done reading through the comments on the Trout Underground, following Tom Chandlers post about Simms Fly Fishing announcing direct sales.  It’s going to be a hot button issue and I will be interested to see how it goes.  At this time, I really can’t say that I have a black and white opinion on the subject.  It does seem to me that an inevitable change is underway; good or bad, right or wrong.

I am currently a fly shop employee in Montana, a Simms Guide Ambassador, and a Fly Fishing Outfitter/Guide in Alaska.   I am proud to wear Simms waders: Made in Montana.  Without them, my 120+ days on the water would not be nearly as pleasant. Over the years, many of my clients have moved toward Simms waders.  They have learned from my experience, and now their own, that Simms waders are simply the best.  I have toured the operation in Bozeman and met many of the good people involved in the company.  If you think the waders are expensive, you should see how much labor goes into each pair.  The materials costs are huge and the operating cost of the specialized machines is very high.  Simms is the only manufacturer in the USA making Gore Tex waders.  They employ a great crew of people in Bozeman, Montana.  Most of those people are outdoor lovers and fly anglers.

I have previously worked at a fly shop in Colorado and have visited and supported shops around the country when traveling.  I expect that as most manufactures move toward direct selling, the small, specialized shops in towns and cities will fade away.  Key destination shops should remain strong and survive by selling lots of flies, running guides, and fulfilling on demand needs for gear.  They will be the focus of hands on retail and the outlet for showcasing gear in the future.  I don’t believe the fly shop is going away, I just believe there will be fewer choices.

It is my hope that Simms will continue to strive to make the very best fly fishing products and that those products will be available in fly shops.  It is also my hope that we will always have fly shops to visit, see new gear, talk the fishing flap, and catch the fishy vibe.

For more on the debate, visit Angling Trade.

 

 

 

{ 4 comments }

Alaska Moose Calves

Moose Calves on the Kenai

Today a fellow walked into the Big R Fly Shop and started looking at bonefish leaders and saltwater flies.  “You must be going someplace warm.” I said.  “Yep, I’m headed to Christmas Island.” He looked through the flies and then bought a couple spare leaders that he probably won’t use.  I’m sure his tackle is already organized and ready.  I think the reason he was in the shop today was to enjoy the build up.  The next best thing to being on a fly fishing trip is planning to go on a fly fishing trip.  Once the dates are on the calendar, the wishing takes a backseat to the anticipation and planning.  Fly Fishing Travel.  It can feel pretty awesome.

Kenai River Trout Fishing

Kenai Rainbow Release

This is the first part in a series of posts I’m going to run about what to expect if you are planning on Kenai River fly fishing.  June is several pages deep in the calendar, but I’m already feeling the pull.  The smell of new growth over last years decay.  The chorus and energy of the mating birds. The rush of snow melt waters. The hope of big strong fish; residents of the river and anadromous chromers from the North Pacific.  It can feel pretty awesome.

Our regular season opens on June 11.  It is a great time for a crack at some big post spawn rainbows.  The females are usually in recuperative mode, but the big males are on the prowl.  They can be aggressive.  Sculpin and eel like patterns might provoke savage attacks.  I have seen OX tippet pop like 6/0 tying thread on the bite.  Active chrome rainbows are on the hunt for migrating salmon smolt, or grazing through clouds of  last seasons fry.  They want to eat and its up to you to provide something that looks tasty.  They will reward you for the effort.

Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Fly Fishing

Wild Salmon are delicious

Sockeye Salmon bound for the Russian River are moving through and beginning to concentrate in the Upper Kenai.  The run usually lasts through the month, with the peak likely between the 15th and 25th.  Early run sockeye arrive chrome bright, fight like demons, and are exceptionally tasty.  They sometimes surprise us while we fish for rainbows.  Tangle with a Russian River chromer on a trout set up, and you are in for some fun.

King Salmon are moving through the Lower Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.  They are typically bright and full of fight.  While we don’t focus a lot of effort fly-fishing for Kings, we do chase them occasionally.  Some of our guests fly fish for trout and sockeye for a few days and then opt for a gear trip to try and land a big King Salmon.

Kasilof River King Salmon

Kyle Telleen with a 30# King

 

While swinging or drifting for a King with fly on the Kenai River is possible, flying to smaller streams or hitting a roadside attraction like the Kasilof River, Anchor River or Deep Creek is a good bet for action.

Kenai River Rainbow Trout Fly Fishing

Perfect Early Summer Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An added bonus during June are the long “daylight” days (almost 20hrs on the Solstice).  You can fish a typical full day and have plenty of time for added sightseeing or other activities.  You can also fish until you drop.

 

 

 

 

 

{ 2 comments }

Montana Road Tripping Fly Fishing?

February 6, 2012

I’ve done lots of driving the past nine days.  I’ve been Montana road tripping, sans fly fishing.  Given the really nice weather for mid-winter and the constant travel through trout country, its been trying at times.  The current landscape is reminiscent of mid-November and it seems like we’ve been in some sort of time warp. [...]

Read the full article →

Lefty Kreh said that Tenkara is a Fad

January 27, 2012
Tenkara Summit 2012

From the Tenkara USA Blog: “Tenkara is a fad and it won’t last long”, Lefty Kreh, the legendary fly-caster and face for TFO (a fly-fishing company) told me this morning as we walked toward the Marlborough Fly Fishing Show here in Marlborough, MA.” Well, that’s an honest opinion from a fly fishing legend.  Right or [...]

Read the full article →

Perfect Trout Spey

January 23, 2012

In the Big R Fly Shop in Great Falls, Montana, we carry Nautilus Reels.  It was there I saw the FWX 7/8 for the first time.  Every few days, I’d open the case and play with it.  That’s pretty much how I choose a reel.  After I hold it a few times, I can tell [...]

Read the full article →

Mysticfish Fishing Timeline Rewind

January 11, 2012

Howard Levett from Wind Knots & Tangled Lines has called for bloggers to: Write a synopsis of your fishing timeline. My earliest fishing experience was in the summer of 1969.  My father was going to law school at Michigan and working as the director of Camp Copneconic in the summers.  We were out on a [...]

Read the full article →

It’s Been A Great Year

January 8, 2012

Last year we were frozen and living with ice and snow.  This year, I’ve already been on the water several times.  Who knows how this winter will play out.  I’m sure there will be some payback.  For now, we are enjoying open water, fishing without gloves, active fish and 357 more days of fishing potential [...]

Read the full article →

Mystic Waters, Kenai River Alaska, Missouri River Montana, Fly Fishing, and Other Stuff…Rewound

December 31, 2011

Going back to December of 2010, I failed to put up a single post.  When the new year rolled around, I decided to become a more regular blogger and post on topics such as fly fishing on the Kenai River, piscine insights, a little humor, calls to action regarding fishery issues, fly fishing travel and [...]

Read the full article →

Holiday Spirit Montana Style

December 16, 2011

Yesterday morning I got up at 5am to wrap up  some breakfast burritos and help my wife and son out the door for school.  Just after 7, Paul Bloch scooped me and we rolled up the Missouri River for a quick trout attack before work at 11am.  It had sounded like a brilliant plan in [...]

Read the full article →

“If beer, women & fishing aren’t the answer, then you’re asking the wrong questions”

December 13, 2011

I’ve been getting some interesting emails lately. This was another great closing line. “If beer, women & fishing aren’t the answer, then you’re asking the wrong questions” I posted the line on facebook and my brother-in-law Scott immediately noted that women should be listed first. I’m sure this is in deference to my sister-in-law Lisa [...]

Read the full article →