1. Great American Tackle: Gary is a great guy and knows the salmon steelhead scene as well as any. His store is truly a specialized tackle store. However don't be fooled into thinking you can buy gear cheaper at a large wharehouse environment. I just purchased a Calcutta 251 for $10 less than GI Joes or Fisherman's. No it wasn't on sale or a special deal. The only drawback is inventory. But chances are if it's for Salmon/Steelhead and it's worth having, he's got it.

2. O.C. Fisherman's Many different employees that will give you many different tactics to try on the water. Lots of inventory. When I first started going there, the sales people were pretty rude. Now thousands of dollars later, they are much nicer. Yes I know they don't work on commission. It's just wierd.

Great American Tackle sells your Vision hooks. They have free samples on display. Funny thing is there was just as many Vision hooks there when I left as when I got there. Oddly enough, weeks later the same amount of samples were there. The theory is proven that YOU CAN'T EVEN GIVE VISION HOOKS AWAY!