Philip Van K.
Google
I was outside in the parking lot changing out of my wading boots when an employee named Will literally ran outside and told me, "don't worry about changing our of you boots! Come on in. " I said, "are you sure? I don't want to be rude." Response? "What kind of a fly shop won't let you wear wading boots?!" That is hard logic to argue with.
The staff was helpful but did not hover. They were friendly but clearly are not working from a script. When asking about mallard wings, split shot and silver wire they walked to the spot and showed me - not the usual point one might get. When I asked about trout spey they pulled up Maps, zoomed in and showed me a good spot and pulled out some killer patterns that I bought ... and, when I was leaving they wanted to make sure I knew where the spot was. (Now, it was on a pretty accessible section of the Madison so they def were not hot spotting) When I came in for a 5-wt line they asked good questions and gave me a very nice line that works great on my rod. After buying the line they asked if I had my reel and told me to bring it in. I declined, but the gesture was appreciated. And, maybe most importantly, they never once tried to sell me hoppers or chubbys. Good Lord, if I have one more shop throw 8 hopper or chubby patterns in a puck when I ask for a 'dozen dry flies' I might just kill someone. :)
I went to probably 8 fly shops while in MT and ID and would say that the Slide Inn was by far the most like the 'old days' in that they seemed to be in the business of selling fishing gear, not t-shirts. Of course, one thing that is different from the 'old days' is that the staff was welcoming and accommodating to everyone that walked through the door. The attention, friendliness and help I got in the Slide Inn was given to every person that I saw the staff interact with.
Keep it up guys! I really enjoyed my time and will definitely be adding the Slide Inn to the small list of fly shops I shop from online. And, I'll see you in person in two years. Hang an 8 pounder in the mean time!