Northwest Fishing Reports

cabela's will not be opening a store in yakima. at least not in the immediate future. they are only opening two stores this year from the seven that were planned. they are looking at what they are doing and need to be doing for for the company to stay up on the economic conditions. i really didn't think they would be a good fit here myself, but it would have been nice.

I hear they can barely figure out how to run the store down in Lacey. There's virtually no gear related to NW fishing (Salmon, steelhead, trout) and any stock they get in, they can't keep in....

If you like bass fishing and camo, and guns, apparently they are more then stocked enough for that...

hmm..i wish that was the same for the Post Falls store, which is packed to the gills with trout and salmon gear and has a huge fly fishing room, yet probably about 1/20th of the bass gear that they offer online. Sportsman's Warehouse has a far better selection of bass stuff.

Sam Kafelafish wrote:I hear they can barely figure out how to run the store down in Lacey. There's virtually no gear related to NW fishing (Salmon, steelhead, trout) and any stock they get in, they can't keep in....

If you like bass fishing and camo, and guns, apparently they are more then stocked enough for that...

I spoke with one of the managers at the Post Falls Cabela's and he told me that they have a "model inventory" they go by in every opening store. Once they know the area and what the demand is for, they then modify their orders to suit the store in the region. Be patient, they will gear up for what is in demand.

Marc Martyn wrote:

Sam Kafelafish wrote:I hear they can barely figure out how to run the store down in Lacey. There's virtually no gear related to NW fishing (Salmon, steelhead, trout) and any stock they get in, they can't keep in....

If you like bass fishing and camo, and guns, apparently they are more then stocked enough for that...

I spoke with one of the managers at the Post Falls Cabela's and he told me that they have a "model inventory" they go by in every opening store. Once they know the area and what the demand is for, they then modify their orders to suit the store in the region. Be patient, they will gear up for what is in demand.

I was told the same thing. It makes no sense though to gear up for what their model is. Then they are going to have to completely re-stock their whole store based on the local needs....They could save a step by having their sales managers go to Joes or the other nearby outdoor stores and see what they stock and what they sell...They'd be making a lot more money too if they had a correct stock on everything....

Sam, they don't have to "completely restock" their store. They modify to the region. Following in the footsteps of a competitor is only going to lead to retail disaster .

Since Cabela's is the World's Foremost Outfitter, they know what they are doing. They learn from their customers what is in demand by reviewing catalog and internet sales in certain regions, not by looking over the stock over at Joe's.

Why do you think they ask you for your zip code when you make a purchase? They know from my last purchase in Post Falls that I live in northwest Spokane and bought a Okuma Helios fly reel for $175.00

Give them time Sam, they will stock the things you want.

Marc Martyn wrote:Sam, they don't have to "completely restock" their store. They modify to the region. Following in the footsteps of a competitor is only going to lead to retail disaster .

Since Cabela's is the World's Foremost Outfitter, they know what they are doing. They learn from their customers what is in demand by reviewing catalog and internet sales in certain regions, not by looking over the stock over at Joe's.

Why do you think they ask you for your zip code when you make a purchase? They know from my last purchase in Post Falls that I live in northwest Spokane and bought a Okuma Helios fly reel for $175.00

Give them time Sam, they will stock the things you want.

I know I guess I over exaggerated when I said they need to completely restock their store...I'm just saying, it's a little too much work when they could simply start with a plan that follows a general footprint that includes stocking a good amount of local stuff, instead of a completely generic initial stocking.

It seems to me if I were Cabelas ,I'd open in Wenatchee,Moses Lake,Leavenworth,or the Coulee area.Those areas have more fishing and hunting then Yakima.Even Ellensburg would make more sense to me.Yakima has limited fishing spots and lil hunting.Ellensburg is kinda the gateway pit stop area for Ea wa to me.Right off I-90 .

Sam Kafelafish wrote:If you like bass fishing and camo, and guns, apparently they are more then stocked enough for that...

I knew there was a reason I loved going to that store so much! If anything they filled a niche in this region that needed to be filled. I am tired of going into stores and finding more than half of their stock dedicated to silver fish. As much as it must hurt for some of you to admit... this state does have a thriving warm water fishery too.

Can't us warmwater guys have at least one store suited to our pursuits.

racfish wrote:It seems to me if I were Cabelas ,I'd open in Wenatchee,Moses Lake,Leavenworth,or the Coulee area.Those areas have more fishing and hunting then Yakima.Even Ellensburg would make more sense to me.Yakima has limited fishing spots and lil hunting.Ellensburg is kinda the gateway pit stop area for Ea wa to me.Right off I-90 .

I don't think the numbers are there for any of the towns you called out. Spokane and Seattle are about the only locations with enough people.

Big Wallys in Coulee City could answer whether the $$$ is there for a larger store in the area.

I don't think Cabela's uses a "model inventory" at their stores, meaning all are stocked the same originally. Rather, they stock their stores based on their online orders from the area. Thus, the Post Falls store got a TON of trout and steelhead gear and very little bass gear. Obviously the stores in the south are stocked completely differently, seeing as they don't even have trout in a lot of places down there.

Nik wrote:I don't think Cabela's uses a "model inventory" at their stores, meaning all are stocked the same originally. Rather, they stock their stores based on their online orders from the area. Thus, the Post Falls store got a TON of trout and steelhead gear and very little bass gear. Obviously the stores in the south are stocked completely differently, seeing as they don't even have trout in a lot of places down there.

In Lacey they got a TON of hunting and bass stuff, and very little local goods: salmon, steelhead, trout, bottomfishing, shellfishing...

Sam Kafelafish wrote: In Lacey they got a TON of hunting and bass stuff, and very little local goods: salmon, steelhead, trout, bottomfishing, shellfishing...

Last I checked, that is what company was known for. Be thankful they don't completely subscribe to the Wal-Mart theory of sales- Find out what the local stores are selling, stock it, and undercut everyone of them until they go out of business... and then raise the prices back to where they used to be.

EastsideRedneck wrote:

Sam Kafelafish wrote: In Lacey they got a TON of hunting and bass stuff, and very little local goods: salmon, steelhead, trout, bottomfishing, shellfishing...

Last I checked, that is what company was known for. Be thankful they don't completely subscribe to the Wal-Mart theory of sales- Find out what the local stores are selling, stock it, and undercut everyone of them until they go out of business... and then raise the prices back to where they used to be.

Yes. I know they aren't known for salmon and steelheading. But if they open a STORE in Lacey, it makes pretty darn good sense to stock local tackle. Just cause they aren't known for selling salmon and steelhead gear, doesn't mean they shouldn't stock it. Why wouldn't they cash in on the local demand for salmon and steelhead gear?

Without a doubt I don't want them even to be a presence in WA. I am worried that they will put local tackle shops out of business. I spend lots of my money at local tackle shops (Ted's, 3 Rivers, Lincs, etc.) because the employees their are friendly and know a lot about the local spots and conditions, so they seem to usually give the best help to me. Prices? I'm sure I could go online and buy everything cheaper, or buy at Walmart, but knowledge and customer service goes a long ways in my book.

I have been over to the store in Post Falls twice and I was very impressed as to the customer service and knowledge of the people in the fishing department. The manager of the fishing department spent about 20 minutes visiting with me about fly fishing for Northern Pike in North Idaho. He lives in Northern Idaho and fishes there also.

The other day I went into Joe's and was looking for some nylon coated steel leader for my fly line. I mentioned to a younger salesperson that I was going to fly fish for northern pike in North Idaho and Muskies out at Silver Lake. He couldn't find the leader because he didn't know what I was referring to. I don't think that he had ever fished before.

Sam, you should stay with your local shops and not even go into Cabela's. It just frustrates you. I have been dealing with Cabela's since 1976 when they started sending out there catalogs. For 32 years, their customer service has been excellent and their products are exceptional. I am very pleased to see them in Washington and in Idaho.

Marc Martyn wrote:I have been over to the store in Post Falls twice and I was very impressed as to the customer service and knowledge of the people in the fishing department. The manager of the fishing department spent about 20 minutes visiting with me about fly fishing for Northern Pike in North Idaho. He lives in Northern Idaho and fishes there also.

The other day I went into Joe's and was looking for some nylon coated steel leader for my fly line. I mentioned to a younger salesperson that I was going to fly fish for northern pike in North Idaho and Muskies out at Silver Lake. He couldn't find the leader because he didn't know what I was referring to. I don't think that he had ever fished before.

Sam, you should stay with your local shops and not even go into Cabela's. It just frustrates you. I have been dealing with Cabela's since 1976 when they started sending out there catalogs. For 32 years, their customer service has been excellent and their products are exceptional. I am very pleased to see them in Washington and in Idaho.

I do plan to stick with my local tackle shops. Joes is usually good with customer service. Some of their Field and Stream department employees are fantastic though. Some are just hired to fill hours when a full timer leaves, and who knows, you could have been dealing with someone who was covering for someone on their lunch break. It's also a fair chance that Joes doesn't even stock nylon coated steel leader..

I plan to visit the Lacey Cabelas once to see the hype. From what I heard, their employees and sales managers are nothing special, but some (including you) say they are. I figure I should have a go at it myself and see what it's all about...

It is most likely that the local shops will not be effected by the big stores. As far a fly fishing materials and high end equipment, the pro shops have more than the big stores. I am loyal to the local shops, I and others buy from all of them. It is nice to keep the money in the community. However, I do love Cabela's.