How Bad Is It???

[JStreamside]

Was in town during the deluge on Friday and noticed Big A Sports is now gone also. Not that I ever went in there much over the years, but it was there as far back as I can remember. Man the Pulaski & Altmar sport shops and lodging are really taking it on the chin. Only place I see consistant business volume is Fat Nancy's & Whitakers.

I wonder how much of the former business volume has been taken away by Gander Mtn 20-min south of Pulaski and also the Bass Pro out in Auburn. If Cabela's is still coming to Syracuse, what shops that are hanging on by their finger-tips right now will be toast. I've also notice a distinct drop-off in the actual volume of people coming to fish the area already this season...not good for the local business I'm sure.

[Ditchrat]

I wonder how much of the former business volume has been taken away by Gander Mtn 20-min south of Pulaski and also the Bass Pro out in Auburn. If Cabela's is still coming to Syracuse, what shops that are hanging on by their finger-tips right now will be toast. .

It woundnt stop me from using the salmon river shops. I run all night and hit the shops open before light. The only thing stopping me from fat nancy's is frenchie and I never get a warm feeling in whitakes, at least not in 15 or so years. I moved my bussiness to all sports, only because od selection and convience. Salmon river sport shop has always given me good places to go, could just be luck though. My opinion of things is that the shot shops are not treating customers very well. In my shop I would never let someone in without saying hello and asking if I can help them, then sell them what they need and tell them where the fish are. You cant sell them more if they dont lose it on fish

[gman2153]

I am bummed out that the Trestle Pool Cafe closed. I liked the people and thought it was a nice place and had some good food - especially the breakfast menu and I did not have to drive into Pulaski if fishing in the Altmar area.

[JStreamside]

Yeah, I do agree...I also notice the Pineville shop wasn't open a week ago either. I guess what I'm getting at is a lot more people are tying their own flies than 15+ years ago and even more are using the convenience of the internet to do the majority of their purchasing of gear...present company included. As a matter of fact, I only frequent the shops to see what tying materials might be on hand that I'm critically low on or don't have.

As for purchasing gear...I'm guilty on that account too. Get what I need from places like Cabela's, Hook & Hackle, Jim Teeny (direct) and Angler's Workshop. I think in the past 10-years I've spent less than $250 total in the Pulaski area shops (and that includes a $100 rain / wading jacket I just got Friday...best mistake I think I ever made was to forget my rain jacket when I left Friday morning)!!!! :D :D :D . So, whether it was because I didn't like paying "more" for an item or because the reaction of the staff of me coming in to a place and was not perceived as being "overly welcome"...I tended not to go back. Yeah DR, I have to admit...I agree with that one whole-heartedly.

As a matter of fact, another business shot themselves in the foot big-time where I'm concerned this past Friday due to...let's just say..."very poor judgement and a worse attitude on the water" by an individual. I will not say which one directly ...I'm above getting overly vocal and specific about stuff like that on any open site, but I will most certainly never refer anyone to that business...ever...for anything. Simply, I look at it this way...if it's a decent place with good service and inventory, I'll tell a bunch of people...if it isn't, I simply don't even mention them. If someone asks me directly about a specified business that I've had poor dealings with, I just tell them they are better off going elsewhere, but in the end it's their $$$ and their call.

[Crazyegg]

fat nancy's prices are higher then others but i buy everything up there because its a lot cheaper.

[Crazyegg]

i mean i buy everything up in pulaski not in fat nancys some small shops are the best yankee fly shop is real nice inside

[fish-off]

I try to make a point of buying items at the Pulaski and Altmar area shops whenever I am out that way. God knows they need the business, and i've yet to have a bad expereince with any of the folks working the counters. Not to say that I wont do my share of shopping at the mega-stores as well, and let's face it, for pure entertainment value alone you can't beat the Cabela's in PA. I just think its important to support small business and local business whenever possible.

[Stonefly]

I am bummed out that the Trestle Pool Cafe closed. I liked the people


Gman - Don't worry Amanda is working at the Salmon River Inn.. :D

[gman2153]

Stone - thanks for the heads-up... I will have to stop by and see the little Jersey-Girl!!!

Man, you guys sure do a thorough search of the River & its surroundings!! LOL

[Checkurfly]

These guys make more during the salmon run than most business' make all year in other locations. I do get what i need from the local shops while up by the river BUT...I think we are all missing the big point, the Pulaski/Altmar area is a MAJOR MAJOR Angler and tourist attraction during the salmon run and most winter months. Compare this to another sport shop in the middle of nowhere that dosnt have such a major attraction such as the SR. Idk i guess all im saying is while this area may be hurting, it is in a LOT better shape than some area's

[the happy salmon]

Stone - thanks for the heads-up... I will have to stop by and see the little Jersey-Girl!!!

Man, you guys sure do a thorough search of the River & its surroundings!! LOLthats why you are having trouble catching fish gman..... you got other things on your mind!!!!LOL!!!!!:D

[gman2153]

Gee - thanks Hapster ..What can I say - I just like to look at the beauty of Nature.!!!:D

[the happy salmon]

nothing wrong with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[Stonefly]

just like to look at the beauty of Nature.!!!:D

Ohh I thought you typed Native's Gman.. :eek: Wheeeww!!! :D

[smatthews]

I agree and want to support the local business in Pulaski. But I think they have to be fair and not over charge for things that folks will use a lot of. I was not too happy to see what buckshot was going for - like $12 for say 20 pc. To me that's not too cool and I will make sure I have enough next time.

Sam

[JStreamside]

I told a member to go and get some running line for his fly rod just a week ago. I can get it for like $15-$16 if I order it, but have to wait for it to come in the mail. No biggie I thought...so I told him to go to Gander or Dick's in Syracuse on his way home and he should get it for around $20...still, not too bad.

He wound up getting it in Pulaski at Whitakers...and they whacked him for $32 smackers...:eek: :eek: :eek: yikes!!! Geez...I can by 2 of the same exact line he got and have it delivered to my house for $3.50. That's why I always carry an extra fly line of every type we fish on the SR...never know when someone is going to need one and doesn't cost any more to have an extra on hand than it would to buy just one in town.

[AV8TER]

It was always reassuring to know that good food & some excellent advice on what color estaz to use was always available at the now defunct trestle pool cafe,G & others who have noticed will know what I mean.that place had mean chow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[woolybugger65]

we noticed egg sacs selling for $6 jar at whitakers. WOW, what's up with that?

[Stonefly]

we noticed egg sacs selling for $6 jar at whitakers. WOW, what's up with that?

That's the same as last years price.. You get 20 sacks I think from there.. Whitakers Sacks are the better store bought bags around...

[gman2153]

plus they are Orvis-endorsed:D

[JStreamside]

Man-o-man...what are they Atlantic Salmon brood stock from the Gaspe'!!! Maybe I should start making up sacks myself and selling those while I'm up. I've got eggs from last fall that are still primo...not to mention rainbow eggs from the Finger Lakes and "Lake Ontario Gold" from the hen brownie 2-weeks ago.

Hey, that last one sounds like something growing in a woodlot back in the boonies outside of town!!! :rolleyes: Hmmm...Might want to put that one on a shirt or hat CrayPooch!! I know what I'll be chuckin' in a few weeks!!! :cool:

[drifter]

I usually find myself in Whitakers. Probably because years and years agao that was the first plce i ever went and at that time got o know the folks who owned the shop.

Soooooo i am a creature of habit and no trip would be complete without a stop at Whitakers for me (well at least once a season anyway).

But most of my stuff is bought over the internet from Cabelas, Bass PRo shops, etc...... so much cheaper and no sales tax :D