pmike
02-02-2009, 06:42 PM
I still recall the first trip or two I made to LRO, back when they were in the other building. I had always wanted to learn how to fly fish, since the time I was a 7 or 8 year old that vacationed in the Smokies. Finally at the age of 40 something after whining to my wife for the umpteenth time about how deprived I was in life for never having fly fished...she asked the fateful question, "Well who is stopping you from doing it now?".
Before the echo of her words was silenced, I was out the door to our local (NE Florida) "Wally World". As fate would have it they happened to have 2 or 3 rods in stock, including one that was called and "Assassinator" and it was a 5/6 weight. My next quest was to locate a reel suitable and knowing little or nothing, I bought an el cheapo model in a 5/6 weight, molded out of pot metal and better suited for becoming a boat anchor than balancing an el cheapo or for that matter, any kind of fly rod. While I didn't know much if anything about fly fishing, flies, or gear, I realized this rig was nothing to be very proud of...by the way, I lined it with a cheap 4 weight line. I have to admit that despite my ignorance, that rig could throw some major line, easily allowing me to cast from one side of the river to the other even in the widest places.
The time came for our first trip to the mountains with my new found rod and in pursuit of my life-long passion and I ended up stopping in LRO for some insights, suggestions, flies, and a boat load of mercy. Thankfully I found all of the above and more! In fact I ended up bringing my rig in for some help in attaching a braided loop and tippet, and the fellow who helped me (much to his credit) never so much as snickered. In fact I would have to admit over the years I am most likely guiltiest for having asked the most absurd and ignorant questions ever asked by anyone inside the walls of a fly shop, yet the folks at LRO have never treated me with anything but the sincerest respect.
I said all of that simply to say that Byron, Paula, Daniel, and everyone else I have ever encountered or dealt with at LRO are among the most incredible and exceptional folks I have ever seen deal with the public. They are "THE" model for business period!
Mike
Before the echo of her words was silenced, I was out the door to our local (NE Florida) "Wally World". As fate would have it they happened to have 2 or 3 rods in stock, including one that was called and "Assassinator" and it was a 5/6 weight. My next quest was to locate a reel suitable and knowing little or nothing, I bought an el cheapo model in a 5/6 weight, molded out of pot metal and better suited for becoming a boat anchor than balancing an el cheapo or for that matter, any kind of fly rod. While I didn't know much if anything about fly fishing, flies, or gear, I realized this rig was nothing to be very proud of...by the way, I lined it with a cheap 4 weight line. I have to admit that despite my ignorance, that rig could throw some major line, easily allowing me to cast from one side of the river to the other even in the widest places.
The time came for our first trip to the mountains with my new found rod and in pursuit of my life-long passion and I ended up stopping in LRO for some insights, suggestions, flies, and a boat load of mercy. Thankfully I found all of the above and more! In fact I ended up bringing my rig in for some help in attaching a braided loop and tippet, and the fellow who helped me (much to his credit) never so much as snickered. In fact I would have to admit over the years I am most likely guiltiest for having asked the most absurd and ignorant questions ever asked by anyone inside the walls of a fly shop, yet the folks at LRO have never treated me with anything but the sincerest respect.
I said all of that simply to say that Byron, Paula, Daniel, and everyone else I have ever encountered or dealt with at LRO are among the most incredible and exceptional folks I have ever seen deal with the public. They are "THE" model for business period!
Mike