The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Doing a liitle road trip to Reno. I'll be there with a friend and my son.
Don't really need anything but we all know how that goes, so if you are going keep look for us. We'll wear some NCFFB stuff. I'll report later on my findings.

Jet

Road Dog and I visited Cabela's last night on a VIP pass I'd been given. The store was filled with shoppers and lots of local dignitaries including our governor. The Dog bought a few things and I got to see lots of buddies I haven't seen in years out there. It opened to the public this morning at 8 am, and they're anticipating 45K visitors over the next three days. Cabela's has given our highway patrol $31K for traffic control on the I-80 off/on ramps. The store is huge and like Road Dog says, it's really nice to be able to see and feel the merchandise rather than (somewhat) gamble on mail order. Another important point I think is that (in the fishing department at least) they've hired knowledgable sales persons who have gone through rigorous training as well as having long term backgrounds in fishing. A great store that should be a big benefit to the Reno area for years to come. On the other hand, I'll still patronize the Reno Fly Shop - those guys are great!
FTIR

I was going to go but I've had this flu bug for the last couple of weeks, last night I felt the worst I have since I caught the bug. I was thinking they would have door prizes, freebies, etc... and it would be worth the drive, but 4 am came and went, I decided to stay in bed.


Don't LET anyone breathe on you, and use lots of hand sanitizer. I wouldn't wish this flu bug on an enemy.

I will be going to Cabela's as soon as my lungs can breathe that thin mountain air.

Just returned home from Cabelas. Its a pretty nice store but I have been to the one in PA which is even bigger. Did not see any real deals but like FTIR and RD stated it was nice to be able to check out all the equipment side by side. I did not pick up any FF stuff but my friend picked up one of the Cabelas Combo rod packages. I picked up a few sneaky pete's, 1lb jerky & a special chair we had in Ak that has a hole in it : . Joey bought some line for his spinning rod : and wanted me to buy him a 270 or 308 rifle. They had a bunch of used guns but they seemed to be priced a little high. This kid wants to go hunting bad but his dad is not a hunter so I will have to figure something out. I guess if you never been to one its worth the trip. The Buffalo burgers fill you up pretty darn well.

Jet

I too went last week on a special invite. I was there Wednesday morning -- and there were lots of other special invitees. I think it was brilliant to have as many pre-opening invitations as they had. I can't imagine what would have happened had they opened to everyone at the same time. The store is beautiful and fully stocked. Nice addition to Northern Nevada.

Yeah, i went to the pre-opening as well.... all i have to say is i hate lines, and there were lines everywhere in that store. I was a bit disapointed in the ff dept. though.... I guess i dreamed of a huge section for ff, and then reality struck as they cant fit all of what they have in the catalogs into their store.

I agree it's good for some things for sure. For example, I've never been comfortable ordering boots out of a catalog, even though I've bought tons of hunting clothes and other stuff from them. Bought a pair on my first visit to the Boise store last Spring, that I would have never ordered from the catalog.
Other than generic stuff like neoprene waders or nets, all my fly fishin' stuff is bought from fly shops, and will continue to be. I like the expert, local advice, especially Reno Fly Shop/Truckee River Outfitters.

Flytyer in Reno wrote:
...they're anticipating 45K visitors over the next three days...

That's all? They better pick up the pace or they won't make their promise of pulling in 3 mil a year.

I haven't been to reno yet...emphasis on yet...but the Boise shop has a helluva fly shop, with most of the stuff in the catalogs. If Reno isn't the same, then I will be disappointed.

That being said, I will have plenty of time there, as I talked the wife into a 2 night Boomtown vacay (with free $100 Cabelas Gift Card). Tahoe and Reno and Cabelas for what amounts to a $69 2 night hotel stay.

WOOhoo!!