I feel compelled to reply to this thread. The store in question is my favorite tackle shop in Seattle. The internet can be powerful in both positive and negative ways. Before anyone blazenly blacklists a shop, I think some careful thought is due. I was in the store on Friday, before sockeye mania, and I noticed two very large hand-drawn diagrams above the single cash register in the store to assist people in their purchase of sockeye gear. In regards to lures, both diagrams clearly recommend BARE HOOKS in various colors, and U2 FLATFISH. Also, right beside the cash register, are some well-worn cardboard boxes. One for silver flatfish, one for red flatfish, and two for bare books. The owner said all the red flatfish sold out last week. He wasn’t pushing old product for sure. Pretty remarkable for a one day fishery. He still has a surplus of bare hooks and 2 silver flatfish. The owner may not have “said one word about bare hooks” – but the very visible diagrams and boxes sure did.
I have fished sockeye too and my catch rate is about even for both techniques. You might have a point if your friend was sold a Budweiser bass plug – but flatfish have, and continue to, catch sockeye.
Furthermore, this store has gone out of their way to assist me in the past. I buy bulk maxima ultragreen from them. Yes it costs a little more than Outdoor Emporium, but they always let me bring in my roll and will spool the line on my reels (sometimes 6 at a time) for free – even years later.. They also sell licenses, which OE does not. The licenses are more headache than profit center, but I think they do it as service to the sportfishing community. They also repair reels and rods on-site. Few others, including OE do the same. Once I brought some reels in to reload, and the owner noticed that the drag was almost gone. She (yes they are a married couple) opened up the reel, dug out an old fiber washer and repacked with new silicone grease – no charge. She gave me a half-dozen too for future use. That’s service. While I was there, an old-time customer volunteered that they had the best worms and maggots around – better even than Texas where he used to fish. Now I don’t fish with either, but it’s nice to know that some stores take the time and effort to stock up on rare and unusual items. The fellow after him was buying several dozen frozen herring for a trip to Neah Bay. They looked good – frozen solid. They have also special ordered many small items for me in the past and had them ready for pick up in less than three days. That’s service.
Mike – I’m not picking a fight – I just think the other side of the story deserves being told too. Hope you and your friends get your limits this Saturday.