Which store gets your business?

Well, my 2 week christmas break has been a bust between having a chest cold when things were low, clear and cold and recovering from the cold to be greeted by mother pacific blasting all of our rivers....it all adds up to not wetting a line the entire break

About ready to go crazy, I HAD to get out of the house so I road tripped up to Silverdale to check out the Sportsman's Warehouse (my first time there). I was impressed....enough so that I think I will start going there for my semi-annual tackle splurges instead of Sportco. They seemed to be better stocked and were not out of anything. Prices for my items of interest were damn competitive too. It's no further (from Aberdeen) and the drive is better.

After you vote, tell us why you support that store.

Where K-man ?

I shop at the places who support WSC and wild steelhead.

Of course I didn't think of this until right after I set up the poll. I should have added the options:

4) Anyplace/anywhere with the best prices.

5) GI Joes (for all you Lakewood/Tacoma guys)

It doesn't appear I can edit the poll though so....oh well!

I would also add that I support mom and pop stores where possible. We have a few decent ones over here but they are also chronically short of or out of the exact items I need when I need them. I give them as much business as possible but for major splurges I have to go to a place where I know I can get it all in one shot.

Keep the votes coming and give us your rationale.

both sportco and sportsman's warehouse are a hike for me. I voted for the "mom & pop", as ted's gets most of my money. though, i do swing by g.i. joes for some of the stock-up stuff when they're on sale (corkies are .08 right now so I had to go buy some....like i need another 100 corkies )


willy

I split time between Sportco and Outdoor Emporium...and then buy the little stuff on the road if I need it bad enough, wherever I can find it!

Fish on...

Todd

Outdoor Emporium and all of the other great shops.

Outdoor Emporium

75% of my shopping is done from my computer, Cabela's, Anglers Arsenal, 1st Bite jigs, etc. When I do need something that I can't wait for, I go where ever is convienient, be it G.I. Joe's, Sportco or (last resort) local tackle shops.

For me, I like to buy at local shops but when I need bulk items such as hooks I order through Cabelas. I get the best price on hooks (qty 50) even with the postage. The drive down from Bellingham doesn't make it worth it to go to GI Joe's, Sportco, etc....unless I am already down that way. I have found that the local guys running the stores at Boater's World and LFS Marine in Bellingham can be very competitive with their tackle (they all are all local anglers). I'd like to repeat that LFS Marine has really enlarged their salt water tackle shelves over the past 2 years. Yeagers is a famous local shop but, for the things I need to buy, I have found they are not very price competitive (and I hate to say it....they are lacking in customer service and attitude in the tackle/hunting dept's sometimes).

Eric next time you make a road trip give me a call you know me I;m Reeses dad.

Will do Womper. Did you recently go by another name here on the board. There was a "steely" something or other who's signature was jeswade.

Thought maybe that was you?

Swains Outdoors - Sequim, most of the time....

Teds,gi-joes,Three rivers, Those are close to home. Like sportco when I get down that way.

Wow....from Aberdeen to Silverdale? That kicks up the price of fishing gear considerably. If you would like, I'll pick up what's available at Swain's and mail it to you for the cost of the gear and postage.....really.

Sunbirds in Chehalis has a great selection of fishing tackle.
Regards

All About The Fly in Monroe and Puget Sound Fly Co in Des Moines/Hwy 99 ...... and Orvis when I get a gift certificate

Mostly Sportco, but since I work next door to Sportsmans horehouse, I have been going there quite a bit.

later

Ryan

From Whidbey, my options are somewhat limited, except ordering off the web.

When I can, I go to:
John's Sporting Goods in Everett (Broadway)
Ted's in Lynwood (fly fishing supply is a plus)
Swains in PT or the mothership store in PA
local hardware stores like Ace Hardware N and S Whidbey

My one trip to Sportsmen's Wharehouse in Silverdale was a little disappointing. But then I don't hunt and while they had a lot of STUFF, they didn't seem to target the PNW as much as I was hoping for. Maybe I was just overwhelmed by the volume.

I live in between Sportsmans wherehouse and Sportco. Spend a lot of $$$ at both. HEY Elkman did you have something else on your mind when you posted??

Fun5acres,

You are totally correct about the "gas markup" on gear travelling the way I did. But what choice do I have? If our local shops don't have it.....which I eluded to earlier that they often don't, then I've got to travel.

I appreciate your offer to buy and mail for me but my trips there wouldn't be but once or twice a year and with the volumne of crap I'd be buying (some of it large in size) I'm guessing postage would come very close to or more than my gas money (about $25). At that rate, I might as well do it myself and get the fun of overspending. :p

I like the Warehouse when I'm gearing up before a trip, their prices beat Swain's in most cases, they have a lot of gear, nearly everything I need. Staff is pretty friendly. The only problem is, once I get in there I just want to spend way too much money. Otherwise, while I'm out, it's Olympic in Forks, Van Rippers in Sekui and Big Salmon in Neah Bay.

Eric...Ok, but the offer stands should you need just a few "can't get 'em here" items. No problem for me.

I guess the Aber-denizens among us have too much $ too go to Denis Co. It usually fills the bill for my modest needs.

From Olympia to the coast it's my #1 option as the Oly tackle shops offer goods at yuppified prices ($4 cleos, $3.50 gami 8-paks, $11.50 ultra-green 1-shots, etc). Too bad the downtown Yard-Birds went down the tubes so long ago. With all the development being thrown up in the area it seems like they'd install a Sportco, GI Joes, etc.

Mikey,

Never been called an "Aberdenizen" before! Dennis Company is pretty good and does serve the need MOST of the time. They also lack my selection/size of corkies, hook brand and size, wader brand, cooler size....you get the picture but they are good for simpler items.

Sportsman's Warehouse, mainly because it's the closest and has competitive prices. If not them, Cabelas.

For most of my bulk buying like sinkers and swivels, I try and use Cabela's, but some things they just dont carry in the larger bulk packaging.
GI Joes is close and convenient but the one on South Hill has been really inconsistent on their ordering as of late. Im usually in there a few times a month so I know whats on the shelves. Many times I have seen items go on sale that are not even on the shelf.
"Work,Sports & Outdoors" in Orting is where I have been trying to go lately when I can get down there. They might not have the huge volume of inventory like the larger stores, but their prices are very competitive and the owner is a super nice guy.

anywhere but 3-rivers marine

Always go to the little guy.. I do at least. Cabelas is opening a 132,000 square foot store here in June. I doubt I'll ever even go inside. Sportsmans is going to be in a world of hurt in this town as soon as it opens up.. who cares.. the sportsmans here is run by dumb asses and staffed by kids making 6 bucks an hour.

I go to Three Rivers, they get All my buisness!

3 rivers always gets my business. Great staff with top notch service. Everything I every want as far as selection goes and more! Plus the owners and staff truly care about our fisheries. I personally know that they are totally dedicated to helping enhance and grow our recreational fishing opportunities. They have proved this to me with their financial support....but more importantly with their time! As long as they are open they will have all my business! Keep up the great job guys and gals!
CM

Have to vote for 3 rivers also. Followed Kent and Brian there from Ted's. If they don't have it they can get it for you. They have expanded their tackel selection to include warm water (green fish) species.

It is Outdoor Emporium for me. Great service, fantastic prices, and lots of fishing stories.

Spud

Sportco is my "Mom & Pop" store and Ebay is my main store.
I stay away from those small local shops. I don't care who they support; all I know is that their prices are a rip off. Why would anyone want to pay for something 2 to 4 times more?

Santa brought $175 worth of gift certificates to me from 3 Rivers so my favorite is ....um...oh yeah 3 Rivers! That should buy enough Owner hooks for about a year.

Oh, if you you're up north, don't forget the Holiday Market in Burlington or Fred's by the Vedder. I like the places that will give you some useful information.

Beezer

swains definately, though i dont mind stoppin by sportsmans just to check stuff out when im over that way, but swains even has it in their slogan-swains general store has everything you need....nuff said

I got GI Joe's and Fisherman Marine close but I go to Bob's in Longveiw for the better slection and price.

Outdoor Emporium or Ted's pretty much cover all my fishing needs.

G.I. Joes once in a while.

sunbirds chehalis has it all, and they know there stuff. cheap romeos

Ted's

Red Shed Fly Shop-best fly shop in the business.

Mike Cummin's offers the best service in the business and a comprehensive steelhead spey selection. No pretense either! Nothing like being welcome in a shop when you stop by with muddy stream cleats and a wet smelly dog. Mike has earned my business.
Chris

Three Rivers

Tres Rios for hooks, line, other gear.

I go to Swede's in Woodinville for all my tying needs, have to to support the local guys!

3-Rivers and Ted's.

GI Joes is 5 minutes from my house, but I'd rather spend the hour getting to 3-rivers.

Speaking of which, I need to come in to 3-Rivers soon and re-spool up my reels.

there's a Cabelas about 5 minutes away from my house, but I like Sportco. The only drawback is that traffic has steadily gotten worse over the years so have to pick and choose the right time to drive north.

Sportco; Verle's in Shelton (a really good knowledgeable shop), Sportsmans in Kelso

Sadly up north here Teds is done but we have Johns sporting goods is still open. Cabelas is a joke unless you need some cheap made overseas tackle. Pacific Fly fishers is ok but has limited product run of the mill Farbank etc. don’t know about the Confluence shop in BM. Sportsman Warehouse sucks. I guess the owner run family run tackle shops are dying just like our fisheries up here.

Sportsman's SIlverdale is close and I get hooks and jigs. Spinnermaking the Fisherman's Shack in Suver Oregon either online or on my way to the Siletz. Amazon for sinkers and beads. I got Simms waders, jacket and Korkers at Sportco a few years ago. Forks Outfitters for bobbers and beads. Merry Christmas!

usually outdoor since down the hill from me and the internet but when ever i get the chance the holiday mart in burlington has been my go to for all the odd ball stuff that no one else carries and used to be locals would sell their home mades and worked great for me. plus they also have decent gun selection.

I shop at Northman's in Port Orchard for as much as I can based on what they have, which is pretty good for the saltwater and freshwater steelhead and salmon angler.
They are my local shop and I want to support them and keep them around. If they don't have what I need then I keep a list for the next time I am near Sportco. I like supporting them too. I don't buy too much online, but I have bought things from Good Day Fishing for their downrigger fishing terminal gear, good stuff.

For very basic tackle needs, Bi-mart is an underappreciated shop. You won't find a big selection of the latest lure everyone is buying stock in but for hooks, scents, line, some lures (they have a really good selection of spoons, spinfish, etc.) and even some decent reels, don't overlook Bi-mart.