[CALCOfshr]

Charlie is a great guy! He gives freely to all so please support him and his family.
Right now "mom n pop" shops are becoming very extinct here in the Denver area. This is due to the "rise of the machines" as was the theme of the Terminator movies. We had some big discount(shit) chains start to move in. It started with Sportsmans Warehouse and has continued with the likes of Gander Mountain and most recently,Bass Pro Shops. Cabelas has been delayed a bit,but they are building! Many people have been treated well but sold junk at these bigger stores. Or simply,gear that doesn't meet their real needs,including good solid information. Many have returned to the smaller shops for help,in some cases,only to find a For Lease sign in the window. While some struggled to stay open,their customer base slowly returned but found that by becoming more specialized to flyfishing in a few cases,they no longer carried the other goodies they once bought commonly. Things the larger stores don't and won't carry. This translates to a loss up the food chain for all,as these manufacturers can no longer stay in business,or offer the same items as they did previous to this situation.
So many of the small local shops have had to close their doors as a result! Where there were once over 20 shops,only a handful remain today.
While it may be advantageous in some cases to buy from the bigger stores, don't forget that favorite local store. And don't skimp on your purchases there. While you may save a few dollars buying from the bigger stores,what are you really saying to your "old friends" at the shop whose info and help you and I rely on? The guys that helped you along when you were new to flyfishing,or whatever it is you counted on them to help you with. The shop that special ordered things for you before the other stores moved in to take over. After all,how many BPS and Cabelas are truly necessary? How much money does johnny Morris need to survive? After all,thats what I am getting at. Survival for guys like Charlie,his family,and the lives dependant on his employees earnings. Think of what you really gain in the long run by supporting the chain stores. Yes,they have families also. But are they really able to give you the service and camaraderie you seek? While they can offer more employment opportunities for people,is it really in the greater good of fishing?
How many of you lament the bygone days of peace and solitude on the water? Or reasonably possible, given the crush of people being felt around the country. After all,wasn't that the real reason you may have begun fishing in any form? What about your conversion or dabbling in flyfishing to begin with? Wasn't that fueled by the longing for peace and solitude,at least somewhat? What about the camaraderie that went with hanging out at your local shop for a few hours? How many new friends did you make in those shops? How many went fishing places you may never have? How many of you learned from those friends how to do something better,or at least right? Or maybe a different twist on something you thought you understood fully? Are these likely to have occurred at the big stores?
You decide that for yourselves. And please,don't forget to tell your friends about these smaller shops. Better yet,take them with you and introduce them. Both of you will be glad you did.

I will now gladly step down from my soap box and return you to your regularly scheduled message forum...

Peace to all...and to all a great weekend..........
Chuck