I was in the Orvis Banchory shop recently ....... gobsmacked by how much the tackle section has shrunk :shock
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.
Richard worked at Farlows on Belmont st. He opened his shop on king st after Farlows closed.
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 :z4 :z4 :z4.
That said they had great flees and my Hardy fibalite was purchased from that shop.
Yes,they had great flees.
I particularly remember the Alex Martin 'Parachute' dry flies which were deadly for the late evening troot rises on the Don.
They used to come in a bonny wee tin with a picture of a troot on the front.
Browns were great for rod repairs especially for my cane rods which got broken quite regularly.They never charged much for the service.
Duncan
Yes Iain, I think shops like Angus Angling that carry a good stock of quality gear with an equally good online service have a bright future :cool:
Best wishes
Mike
Tippet and leaders is a funny subject ..... an excellent product for one person can often be rubbish for another :z8
I haven't tried Orvis tippet, but their Super Strong tapered leaders are superb ..... at least for me anyway :z4
Cheers
Mike
Although I keep forgetting about your tippet Mike! :z8 :X1 :X1
I am a slow learner lol
I haven't used anything else since Mike gave me a free sample a while back. The salmon sizes are the dogs but we still need them heavier Mike (hint hint :wink)
And I do like the Orvis leaders but now I'm concerned so back to the Hemmingway Furled for me
Euan
Hi Euan :z16
Re: heavier ....... What would be the most useful?
Cheers
Mike
Yep Dave, il be going back to maxima, stood the test of time 👍🏻
Green Maxima in 3lb for rivers and 4lb for lochs almost all i use. Brown and clear stuff is crap though.
Best by test? Mmmm not so sure, yes its strong but the diameters suggest it's rated a size down than it should be, i.e 3lb is 4 and 4lb 5 etc. In other words they're telling porkies :z4
but then maybe you catch more fish with the Fluorocarbon :z8?
I hear that the shop in Banchory is closing down at the end of this month.
3. With Somers catering for the cheaper end of the spectrum, and the Loop outlets at Crathes and Insch allowing you to try on site before you buy, I’m not sure what niche Orvis occupies? The tweed-clothed affluent perhaps?
Fair point on the price of tackle being similar. But if I want to try out a double handed Loop rod I can go to Crathes and try it on the river; similarly at Loch Insch I can take it for an hour and try it for real on the water. I’m not sure if “a waggle in the park” really cuts it for me if I’m spending hundreds of pounds on a rod, hence why I’ve never bought from Somers either.
Orvis Banchory have always operated a try before you buy service, and even a "here's a rod, go and have a waggle over in the park" attitude if you are a regular customer. It was not unusual for me to be let loose with £1000+ of rod and reel knowing I did not have the means to pay for it (until a sale), :)
You mention Loop, but they are almost identical in range and price to Orvis and also offer no "low end" tackle, with both companies starting single handed rods at circa £230 going up to around £850.
Orvis and Loop are pretty much tit for tat on cost, performance and quality. Where Orvis excels is on the warranty. Loop advertises a lifetime warranty, but that is only on manufacturers fault. The first year of ownership has a "no questions asked" policy, but Orvis do that for 25 years.
I am certainly not affluent or someone who has fished the Tweed, but I get a coffee and a biscuit when in, and often spend time chatting and being made very welcome.
However, I entirely agree with the clothing and Dog side of things. The fishing seems to have been pushed out a little, and I know that's from HQ, not the managers that have tried to increase the tackle area. That has been a real shame.
I really feel for those who are about to lose their jobs, absolutely gutted for them.
There was an exception during the Ben Dixon era in the Orvis shop and I believe the latest staff did try but orders from up on high are just that. They have just never really gone after the huge market that is the non salmon angler, or at least the non rich salmon angler.
Euan
Does anyone know what Ben is up to these days? I haven't seen him for years.BT / Openreach white van man ....... still in Inverurie :z16
Regards
NHP