Northwest Fishing Reports

So long to good deals.

I haven't done much business with Bass Pro Shops but I have with Cabelas and they really suck. Reading their mission statement is a joke.
Cabelas does have some good sale pricing.

Maybe you guys are just luckier than I have been, but I would never consider either of those stores a place for 'Good deals'

That being said, I don't dislike either store.. I love them, of course! Come on, it's fishing heaven.
They just have so much stuff, that it is like being in the candy store. I am just willing to pay a little more, to take a trip to the candy store.

The elimination of competition equals higher prices, you only have to look at GI Joe's and how sport Co started to charge more after they filed bankruptcy.

sickbayer wrote:The elimination of competition equals higher prices, you only have to look at GI Joe's and how sport Co started to charge more after they filed bankruptcy.

Well now, if they gobble up the local independent fly shops, then I def. will be upset.
Having a lot of gear in one box store location is nice for sure, but.... it's not the same thing as the kind of personal service and just Saturday conversation that you get from a good independent fly shop. (It's like a men's barbershop)

Happened here. I quit buying from Cabela's a couple years ago as they drove several region specific tackle stores away. Now I only buy from the few remaining local stores that support region specific fisheries.

There were rumors floating around just after the first of the year Cabela's in Post Falls, ID was going to close. With news of the Bass Pro Shops purchase, it may well happen. I don't need a 100mi round trip and an "outdoor experience" when I buy tackle, just quality, region specific gear, something the local Cabela's never figured out.

I now only support small, local tackle producers like forum sponsors Kekeda Fly Company and Old Goat Lures. Old Goat Lures will get their first workout later this week.

hewesfisher wrote:Happened here. I quit buying from Cabela's a couple years ago as they drove several region specific tackle stores away. Now I only buy from the few remaining local stores that support region specific fisheries.

There were rumors floating around just after the first of the year Cabela's in Post Falls, ID was going to close. With news of the Bass Pro Shops purchase, it may well happen. I don't need a 100mi round trip and an "outdoor experience" when I buy tackle, just quality, region specific gear, something the local Cabela's never figured out.

I now only support small, local tackle producers like forum sponsors Kekeda Fly Company and Old Goat Lures. Old Goat Lures will get their first workout later this week.

That's right and beyond that Cabela's is over priced junk store for the most part with no customer service. I was buying ammo there when on sale but even that has become too much for them to handle. They cancel half of my order saying that the item is out of stock and that wont be selling it any longer, meanwhile the item is still on their website and available for order and trying to get someone to complete an order with this information is too much for them; they wont do it. And months later they are still selling the same item. Don't waste your time. outdoor Emporium in Seattle has them beat in every regard.

hewesfisher wrote:Happened here. I quit buying from Cabela's a couple years ago as they drove several region specific tackle stores away. Now I only buy from the few remaining local stores that support region specific fisheries.

There were rumors floating around just after the first of the year Cabela's in Post Falls, ID was going to close. With news of the Bass Pro Shops purchase, it may well happen. I don't need a 100mi round trip and an "outdoor experience" when I buy tackle, just quality, region specific gear, something the local Cabela's never figured out.

I now only support small, local tackle producers like forum sponsors Kekeda Fly Company and Old Goat Lures. Old Goat Lures will get their first workout later this week.

Those Old Goat lure look great, have you used them before?

Ive never been to bass pro shops but I have been to cabelas many times due to local access and gift cards. They are horrible at keeping gear stocked. Every time I go there the gear im looking for is very limited and 50% stocked or less. Except maybe bass gear. I do go to to 3 rivers in Woodinville quite a bit since its close to work. I do very much miss hook line and sinker in Smokey point, that was my favorite store ever since i was about 4 years old.
I hope that the new bass pro that takes over Cabelas in Marysville Doesn't jack prices up too bad and actually stocks their gear!
Hopes arent too high haha.
I do agree Outdoor Emporium in Seattle is freaking awesome, but far for me. Holiday Sports up in Mount Vernon is also a great knowledgeable place to buy tackle.
Theres my 2 cents.. if its worth that hahaha

hewesfisher wrote:Happened here. I quit buying from Cabela's a couple years ago as they drove several region specific tackle stores away. Now I only buy from the few remaining local stores that support region specific fisheries.

There were rumors floating around just after the first of the year Cabela's in Post Falls, ID was going to close. With news of the Bass Pro Shops purchase, it may well happen. I don't need a 100mi round trip and an "outdoor experience" when I buy tackle, just quality, region specific gear, something the local Cabela's never figured out.

I now only support small, local tackle producers like forum sponsors Kekeda Fly Company and Old Goat Lures. Old Goat Lures will get their first workout later this week.

Kekeda is great and excited to tackle test the old Goat Lures late this month. The finish from the 3D printing on these lures is remarkable.

I will say, I got a great deal on my boat at bass pro. Really nice experience, no over charging for adding stuff like downriggers and the fishfinder (unlike some other established area dealers). I was very pleased. But ya, tackle is over priced at bass pro for sure.

OK, plenty of Cabela's "bashing" so I've gotta check in. The Tulalip store is just 3 miles away and I really enjoy it. I like their Pro Guide series rods and it's super handy to have a selection of fishing gear close by other than Walmart. I still use Tackle Warehouse and Amazon when necessary. 3 Rivers Marine has some good stuff as does the little shop Valley Sports and More in Burlington. Both have stuff that the locals use. If I have numerous resources I use them all. I hope they don't close my local Cabela's!

strider43 wrote:Those Old Goat lure look great, have you used them before?

No, they do look great and that's why I ordered some. I'll give them a workout this weekend.

I placed my order at 7:50am on 9/27. Received an email from owner Donn Morse later same day telling me my order had shipped as well as taking the time to answer some questions I asked by email earlier same day. Received a shipping confirmation email 1:48pm on 9/28 and the package was in my mail box at 3pm. Now that's customer service.

Watch for my Lake Roosevelt fishing report early next week.

Hey Guys,

Absolutely appreciate your willingness to test the OG1 (by Old Goat Lures)!

I just put several new colors in the store yesterday. For a quick summary, see our blog: http://www.oldgoatlures.com/blog" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Thanks!
--Donn Morse

dutchman2858 wrote:OK, plenty of Cabela's "bashing" so I've gotta check in. The Tulalip store is just 3 miles away and I really enjoy it. I like their Pro Guide series rods and it's super handy to have a selection of fishing gear close by other than Walmart. I still use Tackle Warehouse and Amazon when necessary. 3 Rivers Marine has some good stuff as does the little shop Valley Sports and More in Burlington. Both have stuff that the locals use. If I have numerous resources I use them all. I hope they don't close my local Cabela's!

just wait until you need something that requires more than just taking your money and you will see.

I love cabelas i buy tons of stuff when on sale. My whole point is doesn't matter which store you prefer but when one owns all of them choice disappearso and so does lower prices.

strider43 wrote:

dutchman2858 wrote:OK, plenty of Cabela's "bashing" so I've gotta check in. The Tulalip store is just 3 miles away and I really enjoy it. I like their Pro Guide series rods and it's super handy to have a selection of fishing gear close by other than Walmart. I still use Tackle Warehouse and Amazon when necessary. 3 Rivers Marine has some good stuff as does the little shop Valley Sports and More in Burlington. Both have stuff that the locals use. If I have numerous resources I use them all. I hope they don't close my local Cabela's!

just wait until you need something that requires more than just taking your money and you will see.

Well, I've had to return several items of various values to Cabelas over the years in both WA and AZ and never had an issue. Maybe I'm a nicer customer than you

dutchman2858 wrote:

strider43 wrote:

dutchman2858 wrote:OK, plenty of Cabela's "bashing" so I've gotta check in. The Tulalip store is just 3 miles away and I really enjoy it. I like their Pro Guide series rods and it's super handy to have a selection of fishing gear close by other than Walmart. I still use Tackle Warehouse and Amazon when necessary. 3 Rivers Marine has some good stuff as does the little shop Valley Sports and More in Burlington. Both have stuff that the locals use. If I have numerous resources I use them all. I hope they don't close my local Cabela's!

just wait until you need something that requires more than just taking your money and you will see.

Well, I've had to return several items of various values to Cabelas over the years in both WA and AZ and never had an issue. Maybe I'm a nicer customer than you

That must be it

From the looks of the all the news stories it's generated, for at least for a year, they'll keep both brands and I hope they can keep the region specific tackle, It takes them a while but they get it in. The Cabelas close to us is very good about local tackle. And I've never had any trouble returning anything for any reason but then I'm not a returner, if it works I keep it.