Hard to get supplies

The last few years I have seen a decrease in availability to get supplies. No not just toilet paper! Working in the fishing industry for over 40 years I have seen many ups and downs in the industry and some items are becoming almost impossible to get. I am currently mainly in the fly fishing industry and have problems getting some tying materials. A good friend is in the spinner making business and he stated that he has the same problem. Apparently this is not just us small timers as I went to Bass Pro shop In Harrisburg Pa. last week and Bobby Clouser told me they have not received a order from Wapsi in over 3 months. I guess if you see what you need you better stock up as who knows what the future will hold.

It's not just parts that are expensive but even terminal tackle is going crazy!! I have so many tying materials and was lucky when I bought up lots of soft tanned skins and got extras in the deal. With the pandemic people went back to fishing and everything in the stores got bought up!! Luckily I have lots of spinner materials stocked up from buying bulk! and flea markets!! Prices have gone through the roof on everything - so luckily I make my own stuff! Honest truth I wouldn't go to Bass Pro - went once and wasn't impressed!! Got real lucky with a bear skin rug when it started slipping hair and I got it for the cost of shipping!!

Yes, I have noticed that Cabelas doesn’t carry many of the items that they use to. Some of it is to stock what inventory you can sell and trim the rest, but supplies have tightened up.
Bob

I to have bought supplies in bulk also. I got a lb. each of 4 colors of marabou a few years ago and some other needed items so I can tie for a few more years before needed some supply's. I used to go through 4 to 5 thousand hooks a year and I never stocked up on them except to start my next years tying do to being a fairly large expense. I also have gotten some really good deals at some out door shows. Many guys new me and would direct me to other vendors prior to the start of the shows. However I find most regular flea market check out prices on line and want top dollar for them. As a dealer I can usually buy them at a better price new then what they want for them. However many larger suppliers do not want to deal with a small timer like myself.
I feel sorry for the young guys just starting out fishing and buying many supplies. That is assuming they are even available. Oh well enough complaining.

It is tough! We have seen the same thing in getting supplies to offer. I have talked to several people and it is the same in every part of the industry. I dye our own feathers and the price of that just went up $25 dollars a 1/2 pound so that is coming also.

Also when the China Tariffs hit some things like Hackle and Marabou when through the roof. Hackle when up 40% and marabou when it 60%. Now the Saltwater Neck Hackle I sell is a bit harder to get and for sure pounds are just not available.

Skip

Hope no one needs crane swivels! Cheapest I've found so far is $50+ a 1000!! and some are even more! and no guarantee on what brand you're going to get.

And then people want to know why jig prices went up. All components have gone up, add up each and I can't sell jigs for what I did just a few years ago. BUT it is still cheaper than store bought.

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Originally Posted by Fatman

Hope no one needs crane swivels! Cheapest I've found so far is $50+ a 1000!! and some are even more! and no guarantee on what brand you're going to get.

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I have always got Roller Swivels on my underpins other than Roadrunners. So many things are changing it seems.

Skip

Hard to find ones that will fit correctly in the molds