In praise of fly shops

Brian and Flip – MRO photo.

In praise of a fly shop “…And in the praise thereof spends all his might

To make me tongue-tied speaking of your fame.” — William Shakespeare

Henry Clement, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, August 2023. Photo by Captain Andrew Derr.

By Henry Clement

Mad River Outfitters’ (MRO) Brian Flechsig and his sales staff have become my local fly shop, even though I live 638 miles away in Atlanta, Georgia. They are also a source of new information when I call with a question or to place an order. Everyone is knowledgeable. Their YouTube channel is a must if you want straight info amid the clutter of self-anointed online “experts.”

Sure, MRO has inventories that need to move.

Yet, Brian and his sales team are fear-not people and will tell you that shoe sizes run larger than advertised and are not meant for certain things claimed; the XYZ fly rods tend to be a little heavy in the butt section; tube flies are a good option. Tenkara does not threaten the Mad River Outfitters fly shop’s future.

Flip

Flechsig’s friendship and insightful videos with Flip (Pallot, RIP) will be missed, but the videos are preserved and all worth your time if improving your skills is still a goal.

Hugh worked in the tackle industry for Killwell before he started guiding full-time. Hughie also represented New Zealand six times in the World Flyfishing Championships. He has guided people like Lefty Kreh and Jimmy Buffet on both the North and South Islands. Photo: Faser Coast Sportfishing.

Hughie McDowell

As a “ten-thumbed fly tyer,” crowned as such by New Zealand’s greatest fly tier, angler, caster, and international fly fishing tournament champion Hughie McDowell (RIP) during my trips there.

As a note of interest, Hughie could tie a dry or nymph and even a wet by hand (zero tools), and I’d be catching trout within a few minutes.

Videos:

I often sit down to watch videos by Brian and Tim Flagler to learn a handful of tips and tying techniques, as well as with Kelly Galloup on fly lines. These videos and others are all worth your time.

Your fly shop:

If you have a favorite fly shop, “good-on-ya,” as they say down under, but if you’d like to crank up the info volume, give Mad River Outfitters a look. No, they don’t charge an arm and a leg for shipping, or I wouldn’t buy from there.