We are pleased to be a Patagonia dealer and would like to pass along that they have been working on a new boot concept called the Rock Grip with an aluminum traction bar as well as a river crampon that is worn over an existing boot. The product has been in testing and design up until recently so we do not have a sample in the store but we want to share with you a video from Fly Fisherman Magazine that shows the crampons and the rock Grip Aluminum Bar boot. Have a peak to see how well these 2 styles work on dry rock and slick rocks in water and let us know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aT6hARVpY_4

For all those Patagonia fans who have been patiently waiting to see their new lines of gear in 2011 your time has (almost) come. We received word on Friday that Patagonia’s warehouse finally received their long-overdue inventory and our orders were released on Thursday so it will/should be in the store early next week.

Check out Patagonia’s digital catalogue at http://media.patagonia.com/fb/FISH_S11/

Reflecting their corporate commitment to sustainability, Patagonia has published their 2011 Fly Fishing Catalogue online. WILSON’S is proud to be a Patagonia dealer and very pleased to be partnering with the new Patagonia store in Toronto to provide fans of Patagonia access to all of their products (the corporate Patagonia store is referring all customers looking for their fly fishing lines to our store). You can view their catalogue at media.patagonia.com/fb/FISH_S11/

If you have not heard, Patagonia recently opened its first corporate store in Canada here in Toronto just west of Spadina Avenue at 500 King Street West. The store is located in a brick & beam building dating from 1872 that once housed the Gurney Stove Factory and, true to their corporate policy, Patagonia has done a great job of incorporating reclaimed wood and metal into the store design. The store is open Monday – Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

You might think it odd that we are promoting the new Patagonia store, especially since we are also a Patagonia dealer. Well, we are doing so for two reasons: first, we are HUGE fans of Patagonia products and Patagonia as a company. Secondly, and more importantly for us, the Patagonia Toronto store is only carrying clothing and we will only be carrying Patagonia’s fly fishing gear so our stores compliment one another instead of compete head to head. So if you are looking for Patagonia fly fishing gear, WILSON’S is the best store in Canada in which to find it!

If you have been in the store in the last few days you may have had difficulty getting in the front door because we are trying to figure out where to put the new inventory that has started to arrive. Thankfully Bill and Sheldon spent most of yesterday working on the front of the store and while we are far from done the new layout is starting to fall into place.

Regular customers may have diffiulty navigating the new format for next while because of the changes but they are for the better! The most notable change in the store is the relocation of the sales counter from the east to the west wall in front of the office. This move is freeing up slatwall space for our new fly tying materials that continue to pour in (and test the patience of Bill in particular who is doing a great job of staying on top of things).

In order to free up shelf space for 2011 inventory we have placed a table in the middle of the store that is quickly becoming the main attaction for customers because of what is on it. For example, if you come in today you will see a table full of Patagonia CanyonWalker Wading shoes that are 50% off! If you can’t make it in just call or email us at the store to see if we have your size – we’ll be happy to mail them to you.