With two-day shipping and endless options, why would anyone still shop at a brick-and-mortar store? The reasons go far beyond just “supporting local.” Your local fly shop is more than a retail space — it’s the cultural hub, knowledge base, and community anchor of the sport. It’s where fly anglers trade tips and stories, but never their best holes.
Online Convenience Has Its Limitations
Simply put, one-size-fits-all gear rarely works on your home waters. Big online retailers push an overwhelming selection of generic flies that lack the finesse to excel on the Deschutes, the Umpqua, and definitely the Metolius. Even the specialty fly fishing websites don’t understand the nuances of local hatches or the feeding behavior of spooky fish.
And let’s be honest — those big-box retailers will probably recommend a 9’ 5wt for every body of trout water, without considering whether your local fish max out at eight inches or tend to hold beneath tangled overhangs.
Your local fly shop is a source of real, timely knowledge. With anglers constantly coming and going, the shop gets fresh, accurate reports daily. The fly bins are stocked with patterns that are proven to work on your local rivers — not just generic size 12 pheasant tails. They’ll even let you know what sizes the fish prefer during specific seasons.
Need a specialized setup? Your local shop can dial it in — from rod weight down to the 15-foot tapered 6x leader you’ll need to drift a dry fly through conflicting microcurrents. And if something breaks, they’ll give you an honest take on whether it’s worth fixing or replacing. Sometimes, they’ll even fix it for you.
A Place to Touch, Cast, and Compare Gear
Here’s a case study: the Redington Behemoth is widely praised online as an indestructible reel with strong drag, thoughtful design, and an affordable price. And while I agree with most of that, the “thoughtful design” part doesn’t hold up. It’s not until you hold it in your hand that you realize it’s a heavy, clunky paperweight that lacks finesse. Yes, it’s durable — but it’s unpleasant to use and way too heavy for any single-hand rod I’ve encountered.
I do own a Behemoth, but only because I scored it used at a great price. It lives on my switch rod, where a heavier reel actually helps anchor the rod during the casting stroke.
When you browse your local fly bins, you’ll also find flies you won’t see online. That’s because fly shop nerds tie patterns specifically for your local waters. Two of my local shops — The Fly Fisher’s Place and Patient Angler — absolutely get this. The owners have spent decades crafting patterns that consistently fool fish on the same rivers they’ve been fishing since the ‘80s. I’d like to see Amazon try to match that.
But Trev, the Online Prices Are Just Too Good!
Lies.
I’ve done the homework. The fly prices are basically the same, and most gear pricing is locked in by manufacturer agreements. That’s right — the $500 Grundéns Vector waders cost the same online as they did at my local shop (which is where I bought mine).
The difference? That markup at your local shop goes back into your community, not into a venture capital firm’s pocket. Your dollars support real people, not corporate dickheads and stock buybacks.
The Bottom Line
Supporting your local fly shop builds a culture around fly fishing, not just a transactional economy. Your money helps real people who dedicate their time, energy, and knowledge to helping you catch more fish. It also funds conservation work: stream restorations, local cleanups, regional nonprofits, and guide coalitions all benefit from shop-backed stewardship.
I shop local because I’ve made friendships with shop staff. Sometimes I just pop in to ask about a bug they posted on Instagram or to shoot the shit about water levels.
Shops I Frequent in Central Oregon
- The Patient Angler: Peter and Steven are the most genuinely helpful guys I’ve ever met. They’ve provided top-notch service for over 40 years.
- Fin and Fire: Chris and Paul are super cool hombres. Chris once lent me a sink tip from his personal leader wallet for a steelhead weekend. Their Iron Chef-style fly tying competition is the highlight of my winter.
- The Fly Fisher’s Place: Jeff is a top-tier tyer and stillwater angler. He writes the best fishing report in town and will get you hooked on the ghost fish of the Metolius.
- Fly and Field: They host the best gear swap in town each April. Great deals and even better hangouts.
- Bend Fly Shop: These folks live and breathe Spey.
- Confluence Fly Shop: Tye is a well-traveled storyteller and a killer artist. Check out his fish illustrations — and his conservation work, too.
Support your damn shops.
-T
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