Friday, August 30, 2013

Try out the Method!



SERIOUSLY SMOOTH, ULTRA-FAST ACTION PERFORMANCE

You didn’t become an expert caster just to say you did. And you didn’t do it overnight, either. You practiced, fished hard, and got better because you wanted to catch more fish, more often. You paid your dues, and you met the fish on their own terms, which meant getting the fly out to places they felt the safest: out of the range of merely average casts. Fast action rods have always been a part of your success, and the new METHOD gives you more of what you love most. Like our fastest line speeds to punch through the wind and to carry the biggest, bulkiest, heaviest flies in your box out to where they can strut their stuff.

METHOD Rods Now In Store

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Intersting Thoughts On Rod Warranties

By David Leinweber, owner of Angler’s Covey, Colorado Springs, Colorado
When will the fly fishing industry mature and stop this absurd practice of giving away free rods for the lifetime of the consumer? Even if a model is discontinued, many consumers are offered replacements with new models for free. I believe this practice is heavily damaging the profitability of our industry, and I think it is time to consider real change.

As so many discussions within this industry go, rod warranties have always seemed to be a “hot” topic. I know few (retailers) who love them, and most hate them. Yet the industry seems to be stuck in place with little to no interest in addressing or resolving this issue. As a specialty retailer myself, I believe warranties are the number-one cause of premium rod sales decline.

Fly-fishing retailers are tired of this mess created by rod manufacturers. It is past time for manufacturers to address this issue, change their practices and develop warranties like those in other outdoor industries. This is an ongoing discussion between retailers throughout the world. We need manufacturers to step out, take a risk, and change this destructive business practice.

Warranty rod repairs are adding more and more rods to the secondhand market, most of which will be honored with the original manufacturer warranty. The website eBay is full of rods that carry lifetime repairs free to second, third, fourth, etc., users. Generational, unlimited rod repair, for free (or at minimal cost) is a senseless approach to business. As retailers, we will benefit when it becomes widely known among our customers that used rods—including eBay purchases—do not carry a warranty. If the angler breaks it, the rod should either go in the trash, or it is going to be costly to get it repaired. At that point, a new rod purchase will begin to look pretty appealing again. At one time, many of us believed that warranties helped garner high-end rod sales. But this argument has changed.

“Lifetime Warranty/Guarantee” has also hurt the fly rod industry by decimating individual rod building and all but eliminating blank and component sales. For a consumer, there is too much to lose in comparison to a lifetime of unlimited rod repairs. Unfortunately, the major rod builders won’t reverse their policies. The end result is a mess that lingers.

There’s no simple route to a solution, but one avenue strongly supported by retailers would be to charge two different prices—one for the rod itself, the second for the guarantee. This is the same model through which we can insure our cars, appliances, and many other major purchases. The rod sale would be at a margin and the “insurance” sale could be paid directly to the rod manufacturer. Most manufacturers could take advantage of the Internet and develop an online registration process where the consumer could purchase a one-, five-, or 10-year warranty directly from the manufacturer. This would have a direct effect on pricing, reducing domestic rod costs, making it easier to compete with imported rods.

Other than fly rods, there are few things we can buy that carry lifetime warranties against anything beyond basic defects. This business practice has driven the price up on premium domestic rods resulting in our customers purchasing less expensive imports, big box alternatives, or even quitting the sport altogether. The lifetime warranty subtly encourages rod owners to stick with what they have. It rewards second-hand buyers and takes away from new rod purchases. For our industry to thrive, we must restore incentives and foster policies that encourage new retail purchases.

Over the past decade, fly shops across the country have seen premium rod purchases decline. There are several factors pointing to the decline of premium rod sales compared to the “pre-warranty” era. It may be competition, the economy, it may be the advent of the Web, it may be the increasing cost of repairs; it may be a lot of things. My opinion is that there is little incentive for someone with a “lifetime warranty” to buy a new rod. For the record, 25 years is more than double any standard warranty that I am aware of. Why would anyone with this kind of warranty go out and buy a new rod? Our customers aren’t dumb. There have, arguably, been no truly great leaps in contemporary fly rod performance in a decade. Would you buy a new car if the old one was performing adequately and was guaranteed for life? Maybe. More likely, you’d hold onto it a lot longer. Stick the tip in a fan and bust it all to hell, and wait for UPS to ship a new one. Why spend more money?

As specialty retailers, we should let the major rod makers know how we feel. More than that, we should ask for a reversal of the lifetime warranty practice. Several of us are looking for manufacturers who will take the lead. We realize the risk and we will, in turn, support those manufacturers who have listened to us, and we will get behind those brands.

We believe selling the warranty independently from the sale would have a positive effect on our industry. It would reduce the price of the initial sale and afford the customer the option of purchasing the insurance independently, even giving the consumer more options. The extended warranty would have an expiration date; just the way it is with so many other retail products. As it stands now, there is no realistic reason for someone to replace their old rod with a current model. Beyond the hype, the differences between rods are minimal in the hands of all but the expert. It’s the Indian, not the arrow, that most often makes the difference, and most anglers know that.

Many of us were hoping that AFFTA would have placed this as a discussion item at IFTD, and that didn’t happen. We cannot wait another year to push this idea forward and change the retail suicide strategy our industry has adopted.

As a specialty fly shop retailer, I want to make the following recommendation to rod manufacturers:

1. Discontinue the lifetime warranty on fly rods and approach the warranty issue the same way every other industry handles it.

2. If consumers want a warranty beyond guaranteeing against defects, sell it separately, and for a limited, specified time. Just like washing machines, computers, and every other warrantied product.

3. Figure out how much the current system is costing you and reduce the price of the rod models by that amount.

4. Sell the optional warranty for the difference, through dealers, for a modest commission (since we have no investment in inventory).

5. Make the warranty available only at the time of purchase and only to the original buyer.

6. Develop a policy, work out the procedures, communicate with your dealers, and make the change in the next buying season.

It is time to make big changes and support the health of our industry. If you agree please post your support here. If you have a better or different idea, or would like to modify the above recommendation, let’s hear it.

This letter is based on comments from retailers from throughout the world. Over the past decade, more than half of all specialty fly shops have gone out of business. You could point to a number of factors such as the Internet, distribution issues, or just bad business practices, but the practice of providing lifetime rod warranties must be included as the chief bad business decision our industry has made. It has hurt our ability to thrive for too long and it is time for change.

Rod Manufacturers, please step up, take the risk, we will take notice, and we will support you. Angler’s Covey will give preference to any rod manufacturer that will take on this issue

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

New from Hatch!


Brand new from Hatch Reels....

Endless Season L/S T-shirts

Available at Country Pleasures

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Stuff In Stock!




Skagit Max
New for 2014. The easiest casting, most powerful Skagit head ever made.
The Skagit Max is an exceptionally easy casting Skagit style shooting head that will cast big flies, and the heaviest sinking tips with the utmost of ease. A unique taper design not only casts all the nasty stuff associated with Skagit fishing, but also forms beautiful loops and is extremely pleasant to cast. The head is built on RIO’s ultra-low stretch ConnectCore for the utmost in casting control and sensitivity, and has a highly visible orange section loop for easy recognition. It is available in a multitude of lengths and weights to cover all rod and angling situations.

Ultra-low stretch core for the best in casting and fishing sensitivity

Easy loading design

Printed ID system on the rear of the head for quick recognition

High viz rear loop.
 

Skagit Max VersiTip
New for 2014. A complete, ready-to-go package for the Skagit angler.

The RIO Skagit Max VersiTip is a ready-to-go Skagit style shooting head system that includes a Skagit Max shooting head with a balanced set of three MOW tips and an appropriately sized ConnectCore shooting line.

Ultra-low stretch core for the best in casting and fishing sensitivity

Easy loading design

High viz rear loop

Complete with shooting line and a selection of tips.

ConnectCore Shooting Line
New for 2014. An incredibly sensitive shooting line with fantastic no-tangle performance - the best shooting line ever made

RIO’s new ConnectCore, shooting line is the very best coated shooting line on the market with tremendous assets for the Spey fly fisher. Built on RIO’s ConnectCore the shooting line has virtually no stretch, allowing anglers to stay perfectly in touch with their fly throughout the swing and feel every slight touch. A thicker diameter handling section prolongs the life of the line and ensures it is very easy to grip the line in cold conditions, while the highly visible front section makes it very easy to see when to stop stripping and make the cast. The unique core also ensures the most perfect coils of line when stripping in – resulting in far few tangles and snarls. A neat 8” welded loop at the front end allows for fast and efficient head changes, while the super slick XS Technology coating floats high and shoots far.

Ultra-low stretch ConnectCore allows anglers to feel every single touch

Thick, highly visible handling section for durability and visibility

Unbelievable no-tangle casting performance



Redfish Photos


Our buddy Darren took some time off from counting beans to do a little Texas Redfishing!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Special Edition Loggerheads



Arriving This Week!
Special Edition Jolly Roger Loggerheads
Same great quality, same great price!

Get yours while they last.


Friday, August 23, 2013

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Fishing Reports - August 21

Bow River Report –August 21, 2013

Managed to sneak out and spend a day on the river yesterday. Now that the river is down to a civilized 128 cms there is a lot more river that’s more manageable to fish.

I must admit, I was pretty pleased with the way the river is fishing. Good number of eats on Hopper patterns throughout the day with only one lull for about 45 minutes around 5 PM. Fished the same stretch as a couple of our guides and they reported much the same thing. They also had very good success on Hopper/Dropper setups with smaller bead head nymphs.

Boat launches currently in operation: Fish Creek, Policeman’s, McKinnon’s, Legacy Island

Hatches: Caddis, Tricos, Hoppers

Streamers: Clouser-Black, Marabou Clouser, ¼ Lb. Bugger

Nymphs: Tung Dart, TB Soft Hackle Hares Ear, Torin’s Soft hackle, TB Green Rock Worm

Dry Flies: Panty Dropper Hopper, CFO Hernobyl, Fat Albert-Tan, CUF Hopper, Snowshoe Caddis, Bloom’s CDC Caddis.

Crowsnest River Report – August 21, 2013

Typical August conditions on the Crow. Levels down to 3.76 cms as of today. Selective, somewhat spooky fish will be found in most of the runs and pools. More user friendly, cooperative fish will be found in the riffles and on gravel bars.

Hatches: Caddis, Green Drakes, Hoppers

Streamers: Bead Crystal Bugger, Jawbreaker

Nymphs: Tund Stud, TB Pheasant Tail, TB Green Rock Worm

Dries: Emerging Green Drake, Wilcox Low Rider, Hatching May-PMD, Midget Caddis, Slice Above Hopper, CUF Hopper.

High Country River Report – August 21, 2013

Everything we have been hearing about has been fishing very well. Few places (like the gap area of Oldman) have been a little busy but most other stuff hasn’t been too bad.

Hatches: Stoneflies, Green Drakes, Hoppers

Streamers: Gartside Leech, Sleech, Clouser
Nymphs: Torin’s Soft Hackle, Prince Nymph, TB Green Rock Worm
Dries: CFO Ant, Morrish Hopper, CFO Chernobyl, Emerging Green Drake.



Monday, August 19, 2013

More Famous Bow River Guides



Kevin Peterson...oops Dennis Quaid


Deniis Quaid...oops Kevin Peterson


Saturday, August 17, 2013

Famous Bow River Guides


Keep getting reports from the river that people are seeing Kojak on the oars of a gaudy aluminum drifboat. Is it true?

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Waders On Sale!


SIMMS MENS HEADWATERS WADERS
30% OFF

SIMMS BLACKFOOT WADERS
50% OFF


SIMMS G3 GUIDE WADERS
35% OFF

Monday, August 12, 2013

More Clearance Items!


SIMMS GUIDE WADING BOOTS
30% OFF


SIMMS MERINO ZIP TOPS
50% OFF

ALL MAUI JIM AND ZEAL SUNGLASSES
40% OFF

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Inventory Clearance Sale



With major product changes coming this fall,
CP is having a major INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE!

Some of the items on deep discount:

All Simms Headwaters Packs, Bags, Waist Packs, and Slings
30% OFF
Stop by the shop to check out other specials. Check the blog for more items on clearance!
All items also available on our ONLINE STORE

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Fishing Report-August 7

Emma with a Sunday Brown


Bow River Report –August 7, 2013

As of this morning we are back up to 186 cms from a positively boney 164 cms (ha ha). The nightly monsoons to the west have brought the water levels back up somewhat.

Glad to report a few more frequent large Brown Trout sightings over the last week, several on dry flies.

As with our last report, fishing on the sunny bright days is HARD! Sink tips, Clousers, patience, or if you’re willing to completely give in…full nymph rigs are the order of the day if the big ball of light is out.

Now, cloudy days are another matter, fish can be caught on dry flies, they chase streamers on floating lines, all the fun stuff.

To sum things up, fish are being caught every day. But it’s fun and easier on the cloudy days, harder and more methodical on the bright ones.

If we can get flow levels down under 150 cms things should get easier. Maybe even some rising fish, easier streamer fishing, etc.

Thanks mainly to the excavation activities undertaken by the province on the Highwood, and heavy rains to the west, the river below the Highwood is pretty darn dirty.

Boat launches currently in operation: Fish Creek, Policeman’s, McKinnon’s.

Hatches: PMD’s,Caddis, Stoneflies

Streamers: Clouser-Black, Geek Leech, Marabou Clouser, ¼ Lb. Bugger

Nymphs: Karnopp’s Keystone, Conestone, Morrish WMD-Dark Stone,
Reeses Pieces

Dry Flies: Better Foam Caddis, Plopper Stone, Chubby Chernobyl,
Fuzzy Wuzzy-Tan, Berrett’s GoldenStone. Film Critic-PMD
Emma with a Monday Brown

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Lines On Sale In Time For Steelheading


While quantities Last!
All Rio Skagit Versitip, Flight, and iFlight lines are 50% OFF