While Fisherman's might be higher priced on some gear - they're way lower in price on other gear. Bi Mart gets a few rods in in certain models - as far as I know - Fisherman's has the entire lineup of Okuma's Celilo rods, and most if not all models of their SST and Guide Select rods. They also have a huge selection of Berkley, Shimano, and Quantum rods - plus the cheap low end stuff, and the high end Loomis/Lamiglass stuff.
I'm not terribly fond of their fly fishing/tying stuff at Fisherman's it's very limited. But then again, that's why I love River City so much.
Fisherman's isn't the end-all be all, but they're a damn good start. I can't wait for the Tigard store to open in April!
Cabela's will also see my money when they open up in OC, and occasionally if I get down to Springfield. I recently did some business with the store in Lacey, Wa... love that place
It weren't as big as the Idaho store, or the one in Sydney, NE (that place is awesome) - but it was super cool. The indoor boat shop was really nifty too - nice to see Cabela's was selling some northwest style boats, plus some cool hybrid NW/Mid West style boats that easily do double duty between salmon/steelheading and bassing.
The fly shop in Cabela's stores is way nicer than fisherman's or sportsman's warehouse. Dicks treats fly fishing as an afterthought for the most part.
Fisherman's sometimes carries items that I just can't find anywhere else local, and that's why I love them. When you factor in shipping costs for online purchases - it usually breaks even, or costs more than if I just go to Fisherman's to get it. So I'll support my local shop over an internet retailer at that point. The nifty 8'6" Celilo rod I just got - I couldn't find local. Fisherman's had a boat load of the new Celilos in stock - including a few of the longer ultra lights.
I was completely opposed to shopping at Dicks when they first opened up. I held out for about 8 months. Bi-Mart, Wal-Mart, and Fisherman's were going to be my fishing gear sources, aside from mail order or internet shopping. Then I got stuck between a rock & hard place. Had a fishing trip planned - couldn't get out to Fisherman's because I was working right up till the trip. Needed some gear ASAP. Bi Mart didn't have. Wal-Mart wasn't open in Washington County yet, and they usually didn't have what I was looking for anyway for that trip. So I stopped in at Dicks in Hillsboro, and was acutally surprised to see the selection of NW type gear available. The first reports I'd heard about their flagship store in Oregon - the one at Washington Square - were that it was a lot of useless junk. Guess those people's idea of useless & mine are different... so I gladly shop Dick's now - even though I miss GI Joes - and will spend less & less money at Dicks when Fisherman's opens up in Tigard, and probably even less if we get a Cabela's to boot. Dicks will still get some of my business though - especially the stuff where I have to grab something the day before a trip, and can't make it out of Hillsboro.
Fisherman's bulk tackle sections are the shizzle
Small floats at ten to twenty-five cents a piece. Hooks from ten to fifty cents (depending on style and size). Corkies & spin n glos and cheaters, oh my! Reminds me of the neat-o Worm Buffet that the Hillsboro GI Joes had for a while (they took that out because of theft issues
stupid theives anyway.)
Until Gunga and I can open up a tackle store, I guess I'll make do with the other guys
