Orvis Banchory

« **on:** 03/11/2016 at 10:50 »

I was in the Orvis Banchory shop recently ....... gobsmacked by how much the tackle section has shrunk

« **Reply #1 on:** 03/11/2016 at 10:54 »

Mike,

I was there just before the end of the Dee season for a look at lunchtime.

I will not be going back, it has turned into a clothes shop.

Eddie.

« **Reply #2 on:** 03/11/2016 at 10:58 »

I've applied for a part time job there. I must admit I was shocked to see the fly tying has been merged with the fishing section. It seems dog beds have taken priority.

« **Reply #3 on:** 03/11/2016 at 11:00 »

You'd be better off trying for a job at Sloan's Liam

« **Reply #4 on:** 03/11/2016 at 11:06 »

Sloan's is a shooting shop now I thought.....? Or at least it was last time I was in.

My buddy Nathan works out in Orvis, worked with him in Somers and he's a good guy. I'm sure he will voice your guys thoughts when he see it.

« **Reply #5 on:** 03/11/2016 at 12:51 »

It's all just a little bit of history repeating....
Murray's was a salmon only shop when I got there and introducing trout tackle was a chore to begin with. I was told that "there was no trout fishing around here and besides, trout fishermen have no money". Once sales started to go up and more trout anglers came through the door attitudes began to change but then the shop changed hands.
The new owner was such a snob that he actively discouraged any angler that didn't fish for salmon and even young lads that used to buy loads of £1 spinners were not welcome. Then the shop became Orvis.
The new fishing manager fished for everything, tied flies and could talk knowledgeably about all aspects of the sport. Trout tackle, and not just cheap trout tackle at that, appeared on the shelves and all anglers became happy. The other member of staff was less knowledgeable about trout and tying and was not keen to learn. On buying Veniard saltwater singles once, he laughed and declared that I would catch feck all on them and when I said that I tie all my salmon singles on these he just shook his head and muttered. Then the good manager left and we were back to where we were 20 years ago.
With salmon angling declining on Deeside, not having fly tying and trout tackle will have the wolves not just at the door, but well into the shop and making homes on the seriously expensive dog beds. Anglers will stop asking for things that used to be stocked and that will lead to anglers not going in and then the word will go out again that it is only for nobs, with or without the silent K.
With the shop under Orvis control having a sine wave of sales figures, it will be a matter of time until the For Sale signs go up again.
Any takers?!?
Some small tackle shops really work - Angus Angling in Forfar is a shining example, but it has one owner and one member of staff and does ALL types of fishing for all species. I am sure the right person, and will be down to the person, will come along and make it right but it will be a lot of hard work for not a lot of money and he MUST cater for everyone in the area, visiting salmon anglers and young trout spinners alike. If that attitude and enthusiasm is not there, history will repeat.Again.
Shame really...

« **Reply #6 on:** 03/11/2016 at 16:09 »

My understanding is that stock and management is now centralised with Head Office dictating what is stocked based on UK wide sales. ...hence some strange items such as Tenkara rods and Permit flies being stocked.

I would say that the staff in Orvis are not the issue. Helpful, friendly...and yes, I even include Dave in that

The lasses in there are great too. However, when Head Office has 2 non fishing ladies in the shop at a weekend because that's when more clothes are sold, then the fishing is always going to suffer. They are helpful, but naturally cannot answer the more casting/rod/line /fly selection questions.

I also think only stocking Orvis products (I know some others sneak in such as Vision reels and Rio/Mackenzie) does not help matters.

As for Sloans, it is indeed a gun shop run by my old commanding officers sister. Afraid they are struggling thanks to the new airgun licence discriminating against legitimate users and ignoring the real issue. Hey ho! Sign of the times.

« **Reply #7 on:** 03/11/2016 at 17:24 »

Quote from: Mike Barrio on 03/11/2016 at 10:50

I was in the Orvis Banchory shop recently ....... gobsmacked by how much the tackle section has shrunk

I was in the same shop recently and the reorganisation of the fishing and shooting stuff caught me by surprise too. Rob is right, there is much more national than local management of what stock where etc. Sign of the times I guess.

« **Reply #8 on:** 12/11/2016 at 20:05 »

In last week and utterly astonished about the shop setup. Much of the fly tying stuff is the leftover stuff from bens days. Dog stuff now in what was the flytying corner. I was in with my wife and she was astonished by the layout of the ladies clothing area, she even left a complaint about it. Seems that the store organiation of all the orvis shops are the empire of two ladies from the south of England who, in my opinion, couldn't organise a piss up in the proverbial brewery. The staff seem to have no say in the layout at all which is ludicrous to my mind. All clothing/ tackle is now orvis apart from the range of barbour where the fishing tackle once was. It's a bloody shame that it's gone to the dogs but maybe it's an attempt to force the closure of the shop by attrition. 😠😠

« **Reply #9 on:** 14/11/2016 at 17:19 »

Never been there but was planning to go for a look since Nathan works there. Sommers in Aberdeen is handy for me and I have always had great service and competitive prices for the more expensive items like rods, reels and lines.

« **Reply #10 on:** 20/02/2017 at 18:38 »

Sorry state of affairs......

From what I've heard I agree with Peter!

« **Reply #11 on:** 21/02/2017 at 00:00 »

I like Orvis stuff and was a good excuse to go out that way for a run in the car, helped by the great booze shop next door.

Would be good to know if the decision to do away with fishing gear is being made at a local level or not.

I can't believe for the whole of Aberdeen and nearby area we now have one tackle shop, what with Sloans also done away with fishing stuff.

Crazy times, can't be many folks fishing in the North East. Remember as a young lad there were tackle shops all over.

Broons on Belmont street, Richard Walker on King Street, Somers when they were up on Thistle Street, Balgownie Sports at Bridge of Don.

Oh and a shop on the Spital but I forget the name.

I would personally like to see a large store open in the outskirts of Aberdeen with plenty of parking and the likes. Surely an opportunity for someone but you have to think there's not much money being spent on fishing up here when there's now only one shop being supported.

« **Reply #12 on:** 21/02/2017 at 07:28 »

I know of a man interested in doing so! It's not me btw

« **Reply #13 on:** 21/02/2017 at 11:31 »

It's my main problem with Somers albeit I do generally like the store.

It's always a bit of a thought having to go into the town centre, especially if you only need a couple of smaller items.

Living north of the city, it puts me off when I think I have to battle traffic then hunt for a parking space which will cost me a couple of quid when I just want some hooks.

Equally I'm not that keen on mail order. I buy loads in general online but for some reason when it comes to fishing I still prefer to be able to go into a shop, see the goodies up close.

Would be great if someone would open up a new store and offer a choice.

« **Reply #14 on:** 21/02/2017 at 12:22 »

The Grange down at the beach has a fishing section inside. I guess they do not sell much though as its all carp and coarse fishing...another case of "management" knows best

« **Reply #15 on:** 21/02/2017 at 13:13 »

That's like the magazine selection at Asda, it's all Carp Angler and the likes with no sign of anything relevant to the local area.

You would think a local manager would flag it up to head office that these things aren't selling, which I assume is the case.

« **Reply #16 on:** 21/02/2017 at 18:04 »

Quote from: Minamoto on 21/02/2017 at 13:13

That's like the magazine selection at Asda, it's all Carp Angler and the likes with no sign of anything relevant to the local area.

You would think a local manager would flag it up to head office that these things aren't selling, which I assume is the case.

Ahem...there are plenty of carp anglers up here I will have you know

« **Reply #17 on:** 21/02/2017 at 20:15 »

I must be getting old as I can remember when Richard Walker was at Farlows also on Belmont street. Les Smith had a shop for a while in the Spital, is that the one you meant Minamoto?
Going back to Orvis in Banchory, l looked in there last week to browse the fly tying stuff but there was next to nothing. The guy I spoke said it was down to the area manager but he assured me it was going back to normal soon, so here's hoping.

« **Reply #18 on:** 21/02/2017 at 20:44 »

I just remember the Spital shop was found on the corner at the crossroads with Merkland Road.

That was way back, would be over 20 years anyway.

Broons was always good. The prices for boxes of hooks etc seemed to be made up on the spot at the time of paying and were mostly lower than what they probably should have been.

« **Reply #19 on:** 21/02/2017 at 21:01 »

Aye that was Les's shop alright. Broons was a great shop, always had a good range of second hand rods etc.

« **Reply #20 on:** 21/02/2017 at 21:46 »

« **Reply #21 on:** 22/02/2017 at 08:13 »

Les now runs a sandwich business. Buy my lunch off him every day. He had been living in Spain but came back. Still fishing but not as much

Not seen Richard for many many years. Last time I saw him he was living in Inch and working in town as a NDT bod.

I loved going through the back in Browns as you never ever knew what you were going to find!

What was the name of the shop that was just along from Browns? Richard worked there before he opened his own place.

« **Reply #22 on:** 22/02/2017 at 10:24 »

Richard worked at Farlows on Belmont st. He opened his shop on king st after Farlows closed.

« **Reply #23 on:** 22/02/2017 at 10:38 »

Quote from: Binghill 0 on 22/02/2017 at 10:24

Richard worked at Farlows on Belmont st. He opened his shop on king st after Farlows closed.

You sure it was Farlows?
I remember the shop and bought my first proper rod from Richard (Ryobi Double Top, MG357 reel and Masterline floater along with a Barbour tackle bag) but I thought that it had a different name. Maybe old age is getting to me!
I used to love Browns as well Rob. Great shop!
Now I go to Angus Angling in Forfar for the same experience - lovely little shop, proper old school. The mail order service is second to none as well. Neil hand delivered a Guideline Farion to my house once with no extra charge.

Euan

« **Reply #24 on:** 22/02/2017 at 12:22 »

It was John Dickson and sons that was on Belmont street all top of the range stuff in there. I used to go in as a scruffy kid we ma mates and ask for for a spring for my Diana air rifle cause we knew they did not stock such rubbish air weapons.

But the response was always funny or at least we though so. We dont stock Diana with a look of disgust only weihrauch and feinwerkbau. A did go back letter when i up graded to a HW80

.

That said they had great flees and my Hardy fibalite was purchased from that shop.