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...