This morning’s Globe and Mail has a feature story on Sail Outdoors which is the newest entrant to Ontario’s retail sporting goods landscape. A big box retailer based out of Quebec, Sail is the latest juggernaut small retailers like us have to respond to – and we are certain it will not be the last. The last big box retailer that came to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was Bass Pro in 2003 and at the time it scared the heck out of us. We were just entering our fifth year in business and finally getting our feet under us for the first time when Bass Pro announced they were opening. After an initial panic attack I scraped the money together to attend the Fly Fishing Retailer’s Trade Show held in Denver that year with the intent of getting as much advice as possible from fellow fly shop owners in attendance. I ended hijacking one of the breakfast sessions when I stood to ask a question, as I said at the time, “Not so much for the members of the speaker’s panel but rather for the 200+ other people in the room.” I went on to explain where I was from, that Bass Pro had announced they were coming to the GTA and asked two questions. First, had any other fly shop owner been in a similar position and secondly, if so, what they had done in response. I recall clearly the comments I heard that morning and what it came down to was this: the entrance of Big Box retailers to a market does not cause the demise of small fly shops but it hastens the demise of poorly run businesses. The other thing I heard loud and clear is that Big Box retailers cannot provide the customer service you find in a good small retailer. They do not do customer returns or special orders – but we do.

Our current circumstances are similar to what we faced in 2003. We are just now getting our feet back under us after the crash of September 2008 and Sail is the new Goliath with whom we have to do battle. I went to Ottawa a few months ago to visit their store there before they opened in Vaughan and what I saw made me feel a bit more comfortable. Sail has a nice loking fly fishing section in their stores but they do not have the scope or depth of inventory we carry. For example, they carry Simms waders, wading jackets and boots but only in the basic size run of small, medium, large and extra large. If a customer needs a medium king they can’t buy it at Sail. If a customer has a warranty problem with a purchase at a Big Box retailer they also have to deal with the manufacturer directly. If a customer has a question they need answered the people behind the counter often do not have the knowledge or expertise to answer it. That is not the case if you are shopping at WILSON’S.

So with Sail planning to open a third store in the GTA this spring at Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke and a fourth in Burlington, under the circumstances you might be asking yourself why we are even considering opening another store? Sail has millions of dollars to invest overnight in stock they can sell at a discount but our store’s inventory has been slowly built up over the years through the efforts of our team in the store and our owner whose income is earned solely through his ‘day job’ in commercial real estate. The odds are not exactly stacked in our favour but every member of our team believes in our shared vision to make WILSON’S the best independent fly fishing outfitter in Canada. To reach this goal we have to continue to build the business and our customer base and the best way to do this is to focus on expanding our guiding and school program. The quickest way to do that is to open a second WILSON’S Fly Shop on the banks of the Grand River and the recent closing of Grand River Troutfitters in Fergus has unexpectedly presented us that opportunity.

The last three years in particular have been incredibly stressful and, as we mentioned in a previous blog entry, we can’t afford to do this – but we can’t afford to pass up the opportunity. You can call it crazy, stupid, foolhardy… or perhaps brave. We just know that in order to survive in this business a good defense is a good offense.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/courting-the-granola-and-gun-crowds/article2338622/

Many anglers in Ontario are aware that one of the other fly shops in southwestern Ontario is currently for sale and we are getting asked on an almost daily basis if we are interested in buying it. The short answer at the moment is an emphatic “no”. Specialty retail is a tough business at the best of times and the current economic climate is not exactly conducive to spending money on an acquisition. In addition, the location of this shop, while ideal during the season, makes it a very tough financial proposition during the off-season months. That said, the positive feedback and encouragement we have been getting in response to this rumour has certainly been surprising and the underlying message of support has been very much appreciated.

We have to admit that moments like this make us take a step back and say, “It would be pretty cool if we could put something together.”

Timing is as important in business as it is in fly fishing…

We are pleased to be be the first fly fishing store in Canada to have received the new Sage ONE fly rods so come in and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. If you are not familiar with them, the following review by Alex Cerveniak appeared on Midcurrent.com in June:

“The ONE rod is the first fly rod to take advantage of Sage’s groundbreaking Konnetic technology. Konnetic technology, the most recent evolution in fly rod innovation, uses new materials combined with pioneering manufacturing methods and processes. This technology incorporates an optimized ratio of Sage’s proprietary resin to exclusive high modulus aerospace-grade carbon fiber.

The latest construction methods include Sage’s Advanced Modulus Positioning System (AMPS), a process that precisely aligns and positions carbon fiber materials to exacting tolerances for the greatest blank strength, delivering extremely efficient energy transfer throughout the shaft. Using Sage’s High Compression Molding process, carbon fibers are compacted for optimum density and precise alignment while simultaneously fusing the 50 percent lighter all-carbon fiber inner core.

The ONE offers exceptional tracking with virtually no lateral or torsional movement, resulting in what Sage claims is unparalleled casting accuracy. The inherent strength of Konnetic technology allows ONE rods to have a smaller diameter as well as weigh 25 percent lighter than comparable Sage rods. These attributes combine to provide augmented aerodynamic efficiency.

Further innovations are the 70 percent lighter, low profile ferrules that help direct and carry energy through the rod without sacrificing strength, critical action and feel. “The ONE rod becomes a true extension of the angler’s arm,” notes Sage Chief Rod Designer, Jerry Siem. “It offers a more fluid transmission of energy from the arm to the fly. The eye sees the cast it wants to make and is translated to the hand through the rod instantaneously.”

The fast-action ONE rod family is intended for all fishing conditions thanks to a list of high-end features. A custom cork >handle is fashioned in a snub-nose, half-wells grip on the 3 through 6 weights and a full-wells handle with fighting butt on the saltwater capable 6 through 10-weights. Each handle is designed to match the exact taper of the rod providing even greater sensitivity and feel.

Other details include the Sage-designed round eye tip-top which never pinches or binds the line, allowing athe caster to mend and cast in any direction with full control. On the 3 through 6-weights, the elegant walnut insert is perfectly married with the bronze anodized aluminum reel seat. Saltwater weights feature all anodized reel seat components.

The ONE Rod comes in a new black ice color, which has a translucent finish and is complemented by black guide wraps and bronze trim wraps. Each rod comes with a powder-coated aluminum rod tube with Sage medallion and a hand-made rod sock.

“The ONE Rod is smooth and precise with an intentionally forgiving ‘sweet spot’ that complements widely diverse casting styles,” says Eric Gewiss, Sage’s Marketing Manager. “This helps the angler make a full range of close-in and long distance casts that hit the mark with equal ease. Being able to feel exactly what the line is doing through all stages of the cast gives anglers ultimate control so they can make the micro-adjustments needed to place the fly precisely where it’s wanted.”

Already award winning, the ONE rod has been recognized as the “Best New Fly Rod” at EFTTEX 2011 [Editor's Note: the rod also received the "Best New Freshwater Rod" and "Best New Saltwater Rod" at the IFTD Show in New Orleans last week].”