Small Fly/Outdoor Shops in the St. Louis Area?

In about two weeks, I'm moving about 50 miles SW of St. Louis. I'll
be right on the lake (with my own 3 slip dock) and within 5 minutes of
decent Trout Fishing.

That's the good news....

The bad news is that I'm leaving behind my favorite local fly shop
here in Tulsa. I could go to Bass Pro, mail order, etc... but I like
to support the local guys when possible. Does anyone have a
recommendation for a St. Louis area small operation fly shop with
friendly people, fair prices, and a good selection?

Thanks in advance,
Chuck

Charles Crolley wrote:
In about two weeks, I'm moving about 50 miles SW of St. Louis. I'll
be right on the lake (with my own 3 slip dock) and within 5 minutes of
decent Trout Fishing.

That's the good news....

The bad news is that I'm leaving behind my favorite local fly shop
here in Tulsa. I could go to Bass Pro, mail order, etc... but I like
to support the local guys when possible. Does anyone have a
recommendation for a St. Louis area small operation fly shop with
friendly people, fair prices, and a good selection?

if that 50 miles sw of St. Louis puts you in the vincinity of Rolla,
you won't be too far from some decent trout fishing still including a
spring creek that has not been stocked in years.

To the original questions, one of the nation's finest fly shops is on
Manchester Road in St. Louie-T. Hargrove Fly Fishing. I recommend the
Friday night gathering of the "fishheads" or Sat wine tasting days. One
of the nations most overated and sterile fly shops happens to be a mile
or so east of Hargrove's on the same street-National Feathercraft. In
between both shops on Brentwood is an Orvis store and an REI for other
outdoor fun.

On 3 May 2006 10:42:43 -0700, "Wayne Knight"
wrote:


Charles Crolley wrote:
In about two weeks, I'm moving about 50 miles SW of St. Louis. I'll
be right on the lake (with my own 3 slip dock) and within 5 minutes of
decent Trout Fishing.

That's the good news....

The bad news is that I'm leaving behind my favorite local fly shop
here in Tulsa. I could go to Bass Pro, mail order, etc... but I like
to support the local guys when possible. Does anyone have a
recommendation for a St. Louis area small operation fly shop with
friendly people, fair prices, and a good selection?

if that 50 miles sw of St. Louis puts you in the vincinity of Rolla,
you won't be too far from some decent trout fishing still including a
spring creek that has not been stocked in years.

To the original questions, one of the nation's finest fly shops is on
Manchester Road in St. Louie-T. Hargrove Fly Fishing. I recommend the
Friday night gathering of the "fishheads" or Sat wine tasting days. One
of the nations most overated and sterile fly shops happens to be a mile
or so east of Hargrove's on the same street-National Feathercraft. In
between both shops on Brentwood is an Orvis store and an REI for other
outdoor fun.

Thanks, Wayne. I think I remember going by there - if t's by this
little local pancake house where SWMBO wanted to stop and gorge.

Actually, I'm moving about 15 miles south of Sullivan, about 5 minutes
from the Meramec river and about 5 minutes from (Blue Spring?) Creek -
a blue ribbon trout management area.

I'm guessing the other creek you're referring to is Mill Creek - I
made it down there last year and poked around. No fish, but a nice
place to be.

Is there a TU chapter around there, and is it active? Or is there
another organization you could suggest where I might meet up with some
other folks?

Charles Crolley" wrote in message
...
//snip//
Actually, I'm moving about 15 miles south of Sullivan, about 5 minutes
from the Meramec river and about 5 minutes from (Blue Spring?) Creek -
a blue ribbon trout management area.

I'm guessing the other creek you're referring to is Mill Creek - I
made it down there last year and poked around. No fish, but a nice
place to be.

Is there a TU chapter around there, and is it active? Or is there
another organization you could suggest where I might meet up with some
other folks?

Wayne told you about the best fly shop in St Louis - Tom Hargrove's. And I
don't disagree with his comments about Feathercraft.

I've spent a lot of time on Blue Spring Creek - mostly because it's
convenient. I once helped the Mo Dept of Conservation with an
electro-shocking sample of BSC, and I know that it contains some sizable
trout. But it's hardly what I'd call 'blue ribbon trout management water".
It's a spring-fed stream and holds some wild rainbows (it hasn't been
stocked in many years) but the stream is very small and shallow, and in late
summer water temps get pretty high. Fishing there is tough and it's not a
challenging wade.

I think I know where you're going - it's one of the places that really used
to distress me as I saw the area around Blue Spring Creek becoming more and
more infested with weekend and vacation homes. But congratulations on moving
there - lots of us would like to live close to a real trout stream

BSC is best used when you want to spend just a couple of hours practicing
your close-quarters casting. There are other streams to the southwest that
are much more attractive, IMHO.

There's no longer an active TU chapter in St Louis, though there is one in
Columbia: http://www.midmotu.org/
In St Louis, check out Ozark Fly Fishers. It's quite active:
http://www.ozarkflyfishers.org/


--
Bob Patton
(change bgzqsdq to charter to reply)
..

"Bob Patton" wrote in message
...

I think I know where you're going -

welcome back from whereever you've been

"Wayne Knight" wrote in message
...

"Bob Patton" wrote in message
...

I think I know where you're going -

welcome back from whereever you've been
Thanks. Travelling too much; new job (same employer); busily ****ing off a
lot of people . . . hopefully, the right ones.