Precision Fly & Tackle coming to the Poconos

I think I was in the Precision Fly Shop in Lancaster one time. It was a nice shop. It had plenty of stuff to choose from and the guy working the store was polite, helpful, and courteous.

I hate to admit this, but I just placed an order at J. Stockard yesterday. Between BWO and J. Stockard, those two companies get 90% of my business.
 
jifigz said:
I think I was in the Precision Fly Shop in Lancaster one time. It was a nice shop. It had plenty of stuff to choose from and the guy working the store was polite, helpful, and courteous.

I hate to admit this, but I just placed an order at J. Stockard yesterday. Between BWO and J. Stockard, those two companies get 90% of my business.
Click to expand...

Online retailers get 100% of my business and have been for some time because I can hunt for the specific items I am after versus buying something else because that's what the shop sells.

The bigger problem is fly tying materials...

I was lucky to build a relationship of trust with a few guys like Chris Helm, an acknowledged expert in hair flies who owned a business called Whitetail Fly Tying and Don Bastian, a master of classic wets.

When I ordered materials from these guys, they hand selected the stuff and it was always as good or better that what I would have chosen if I went to a shop. As fly tiers vastly more talented than me, they also suggested tools or other things based on their experience which saved me a lot of trial and error. Both gentlemen got almost 100% of my material purchases.

Sadly both passed away but I've managed to partially fill the void with a couple of small shops with both an online presence and someone in the shop I trust to pick out materials.
 
lycoflyfisher said:
Agreed about dunkelbergers. I had been in there several times in the past decade or so and thought it was a nice store pre covid. Was in post covid and noticed a trend towards more clothing. Was in again about a year ago and it went even further towards clothing. Fishing section was a shell of former self. I am sure sales must support these moves, but for flyfishing I wouldnt see any reason to stop there.
Click to expand...

That's a bummer. During the years I lived in the area (something like 2014-18), both the Dunkelberger's locations had a solid assortment of essentials, a wall of tying materials, etc. I even took some Intro to Fly Fishing courses at the Brodheadsville location that included parking lot casting instruction. They seemed to be at least trying to get a cool program going.

I guess it's inevitable that selling Carhartt gear is going to be more profitable, though. Unfortunate.
 
"
The bigger problem is fly tying materials...

I was lucky to build a relationship of trust with a few guys like Chris Helm, an acknowledged expert in hair flies who owned a business called Whitetail Fly Tying and Don Bastian, a master of classic wets.

When I ordered materials from these guys, they hand selected the stuff and it was always as good or better that what I would have chosen if I went to a shop. As fly tiers vastly more talented than me, they also suggested tools or other things based on their experience which saved me a lot of trial and error. Both gentlemen got almost 100% of my material purchases.

Sadly both passed away but I've managed to partially fill the void with a couple of small shops with both an online presence and someone in the shop I trust to pick out materials."


That is the service we all got with the local shops. I too feel the pain. It is very hard to purchase fly tying supplies now days. Colors just are not descriptive nor color photos crisp enough online on feathers, threads, ect. for me to purchase.

"I guess it's inevitable that selling Carhartt gear is going to be more profitable, though. Unfortunate."

Even tougher because of the status of the Carhartt wears because of our senior US Senator.
But, fads do change.

I too purchase most of my fly fishing supplies online never have a problem with out of stock or it will be here later this week. My big box is constantly running out of goods. The big box inventory is all based on seasons, limits and things that will sell quickly..
 
CRB said:
"
The bigger problem is fly tying materials...

I was lucky to build a relationship of trust with a few guys like Chris Helm, an acknowledged expert in hair flies who owned a business called Whitetail Fly Tying and Don Bastian, a master of classic wets.

When I ordered materials from these guys, they hand selected the stuff and it was always as good or better that what I would have chosen if I went to a shop. As fly tiers vastly more talented than me, they also suggested tools or other things based on their experience which saved me a lot of trial and error. Both gentlemen got almost 100% of my material purchases.

Sadly both passed away but I've managed to partially fill the void with a couple of small shops with both an online presence and someone in the shop I trust to pick out materials."


That is the service we all got with the local shops. I too feel the pain. It is very hard to purchase fly tying supplies now days. Colors just are not descriptive nor color photos crisp enough online on feathers, threads, ect. for me to purchase.
Click to expand...

I had good sucess dealing with Joe Fox at Dette's.
 
I frequent both TCO and Precision and they generally have what I am looking for. Trouble with those quirky, one-off shops is that they are entirely dependent on the owner. Both health-wise and temperament. Cold Spring Anglers in Carlisle was mentioned. Don’t get me wrong, Herb was knowledgeable, and I knew him well enough to be at his house from time to time, but depending on his mood, you were as likely to be growled at as helped. Always had good luck at Evening Hatch when I was in the area.

Lot more stability when you have a management team that can run a chain of stores and have some buying clout versus a sole proprietor.
 
Herb mellowed a lot just before and after the shop closed...

I still remember seeing him & Cathy post Cold Spring Anglers, sitting on lawn chairs in Vince's Meadow one balmy November day when I was headed down to the Letort. He was so friendly and talkative I had to excuse myself so I could go fishing.
 
Last edited:
Years ago, my parents got me my first fly rod and reel, some assembly required. Stopped at Cold Springs to get some help setting it up. I was told by whoever was there (Herb?) that he would have helped me if I would have bought it there, but since I didn’t, he’d sell me a book to figure it out on my own. I bought the book, but left thinking he was a real ****** and never went back. I still have the book and it did help a lot, but still think he was an ******. Could have been a regular customer instead of a one time customer.
I wish Precision a lot of luck in their new venture. I can’t say enough good things about their customer service over the years I’ve dealt with them, and I’ve been to all 3 of their current locations.

Steve
 
Bamboozle said:
They stack up fine. If they have what you are looking for, that's all that matters...

I just find them a bit on the sterile side, all neat & tidy with the same brands which is great if you are relatively new to the game or like sameness in your retail adventures. Me, I ALWAYS spend my money at a local diner or inn versus McDonald's or Applebee's and the same goes for fly shops.

Bottom line (and I hope my wife does't see this), I honestly don't need a thing and I'm no longer interested trying the latest & greatest "technical" whatever. Therefore, IF I walk into a fly shop it's because I am bored and hope to expeience uniqueness.

Show me something special that doesn't come from Rio or Hareline; throw in few used bamboo rods, vintage reels and a dog or cat curled up in some corner and I might stay awhile and spend a buck or two...

Otherwise I look around for a minute or two and walk out wondering why I bothered...

YMMV and more importantly, who cares what I think.

Good luck to Precision in Lake Harmony!!!
Click to expand...
You've just described Phil Baldacchino's fly shop along the Kettle Creek!
 
Found out today that owner Ken Schiffert had passed away awhile ago. Though I didn't know him other than my visits to the shop, he was a great guy. Always friendly and helpful.

Prayers for him and his family
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Harman's North Fork Cottages
Wayward Trading”/> </center> </div> </div> </div> <div class=


Real Time Data From
the USGS Site

Share this page

Back
Top