Posted: Sun 12/14/08 5:47 pm Post subject: Looking For A Job In Fly Shop - Questions
The reason why im posting this review is to gain some knowledge from all of you who know anything about working in a fly shop and what you need to know. Although im young, i still desire a job for some cash, and what better job is there than working in a fly shop. I would only have time during the summer to work at a fly shop in New Jersey (Ramsey Outdoor or Streams of Dreams). I consider myself a pretty advanced fly fishermen when it comes to knowledge, but in the off season, I forget some stuff. As of now, I know knots like the surgeon's knot, clinch and improved clinch, loop to loop connection, duncan loop (needs practice), and perfection loop (needs practice). I know what most of the tied flies look like but I have trouble identifying the natural insects. Do I need to know how to identify the naturals or just rely on matching their appearance with a specific fly? I think my casting is pretty decent, knowledge of trout behavior is good, and I even know some combos for tandem rigs (thanks to you guys and some readings). I know I should be asking the owners of the shop, but I can't reach them and I need to start learning more soon if I need to know some more info by spring. Any help is good so if you or know someone who works in a shop, just write what you can.
Sounds like you are ready to work in a fly shop. The thing is, its like anything else, at some point you just have to "get thrown into the fire." I think all of your questions are valid, and sure it would be nice to know "everything" .. but nobody does! So, my advice, would be to evaluate what you know now (and it seems like you have done a great job of that) and see the world of fly fishing and your position in it, as a constant learning adventure. So, working in a fly shop will answer many answer many of the questions you have now and even teach you things that you don't even know that you don't know .. And, all of that will only make you realize how much more you don't know. Think about it .. let's say you did get the job in a fly shop and you knew all there was to know about trout .. but a customer came in to get some gear in preparation for, let's say, his trip to South Africa. Now, its very likely that neither you nor anyone else in the shop knows a darn thing about South Africa. So, does this mean that you can't help the guy? Does this mean that you tell him to go somewhere else? Of course not. So, my point here is this .. you ask some great questions .. but my advise to you here would be to apply for the fly shop job(s) or any job for that matter and rather than tell or demonstrate to the boss how much you know .. simply tell him this.
"The reason I want to work in your shop is to help you and your customers and provide the best service possible to anyone who walks through the doors. I know a fair amount about fly fishing and I am very passionate about fly fishing. I am eager to learn more and learn the things you know and how to best help you in whatever capacity that might be."
Now, I never worked in fly shops .. rather I worked on commercial fishing boats and getting a job on a commercial fishing boat as a young guy (greenhorn) required me to not try to impress these guys who had been mending nets and commercial fishing for their entire lives .... because they knew as well as me (just by looking at me) that I was young, inexperienced and a "greenhorn" ... So, if I said anything at all other than, "I am passionate about fishing .. I want to learn and I am pretty much willing to do anything to help." I would never have gotten on board any boats to work as a deckhand ... They would have simply said, "Take a hike." ..
So, with the economy the way it is .. I would recommend that you position yourself, not as an expert in anything .. not as someone who has a long list of skills and credentials (because you don't) .. rather someone who can help the owner sell his product better and service his customers better .. That, is really all you need to know how to do. Don't be late, Don't leave early, Don't slack off, Take initiative, Say thank you when he pays you and remember this .. "The customer is always right .. and even when you win an argument with a customer .. you still lose."
PS. My advice may have been a little general ... there are lots of guys on this site who currently work in shops and have worked in or guided for fly shops or outfitters all over the world .... i am sure they will give you some pointers ... and help you out with some more specifics ... maybe not?
That's my Grandson's name! Any advice from jeremy is going to be valuable and I think his view on your 'positioning' yourself is correct.
I've been a part-time and full-time fly shop clerk for 10 years or so. It's always going to be a learning experience. Base your thoughts on that and be 'the learner' and 'the helper' that will be your role...most shop owners know the knots and rigging machine and will teach you. You will be packing, unpacking, mailing, putting stickers on product, stocking shelves, sometimes it will be boring, repetitive tough work....Just make sure you read all about the products you sell and become knowledgable. Try out some of the products for yourself. READ. That's my advice and I think you will do well.
Evan,
I have worked in the fly fishing industry most of my life. I kind of did it backwards though. Initially I started guiding at 18 on the and did that for many years over the summers and many years spent more time guiding than going to school until I graduated from college 7 years later. I then had the opportunity to start a fly shop and built it from the ground up with a very good friend and another guy who financed the operation. I put together the guide service and ended up managing and running the entire operation until I almost became the owner. For a number of reasons, I moved on and now work in another fly shop as a buyer. At this point, I have worked in or with fly shops for nearly 20 years. I have hired many people just like you both for the shop and as guides.
Everyone that has responded has given very good advice and I will throw in my two cents. For the most part, the number one thing that you need to work in a fly shop first and foremost is a wilingness and desire to help customers (I would hire somebody who barely knows how to fish, but is great with people before I would hire an expert who pisses off everyone that walks through the door). A passion for fly fishing and a good general knowledge of the sport is close behind and it sounds like you definitely posess both of those things. Don't let the fact that you aren't an expert in every aspect of the sport discourage you, nobody is. As long as you have a good general understanding of the sport and are willing to work hard and help anyone who walks through the door you will be a great asset to any shop. If you don't know it, admit that and try to ask for help from one of the other employees..and listen to Jeremy's advice. Especially the part about the customer always being right. Good luck and have fun! That is why I am still doing it.
I think if you have a solid foundation in fishing and enjoying talking to people you have it made. There is nothing that gets under my skin more than when I walk into a fly shop and I'm made to feel like an inconvenience, or worse, invisible. When folks are nice and knowldgeable, I hand over my cash and keep coming back.
Thanks very much for all of the information and advice you all gave me. I felt relieved when Jeremy said I should desire to assist the customer and other workers because that is the main reason why I want to work in a fly shop. But another very important reason I want to work in the shop is to become a responsible, diligent and more relaxed person. I feel that working, more specifically in a fly shop, is the best way to achieve this accomplishment. Now, the only thing I can do is read and brush up on my knowledge. Next time you hear from me, I'll be working in Streams of Dreams in New Jersey
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.. And, all of that will only make you realize how much more you don't know. Think about it .. let's say you did get the job in a fly shop and you knew all there was to know about trout .. but a customer came in to get some gear in preparation for, let's say, his trip to South Africa. Now, its very likely that neither you nor anyone else in the shop knows a darn thing about South Africa. So, does this mean that you can't help the guy? Does this mean that you tell him to go somewhere else? Of course not. So, my point here is this .. you ask some great questions .. but my advise to you here would be to apply for the fly shop job(s) or any job for that matter and rather than tell or demonstrate to the boss how much you know .. simply tell him this.
