The new(ish) local shop here in Toronto (Drift Outfitters) is run by a friend of mine - he keeps it very well stocked with anything you’d need. But the prices are higher than what you can find online. For me, I’ve decided that if it’s something he sells I’m going to buy it from him because I want to support the shop. But I can totally understand the need to stretch your dollar a bit farther.

I'm lucky to have Lund's Fly Shop (River Falls, WI) and Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop (St. Paul, MN) within a 15-20 min. drive and Lund's is on the way to my favorite rivers anyway.

We in MA are fortunate to have one of the best stocked fly fishing shops in the country. If you are ever in the Boston area you owe it to yourself to stop by and check it out. They ship worldwide for any out of the country and do so daily.

There is a virtual tour link on their webpage for those curious-

The Bears Den Fly Shop

https://www.bearsden.com/

I'm lucky to have a good shop here in my hometown of Columbus, Mad River Outfitters. They've survived, and thrived, by being early adopters of online sales as well as developing their guiding business locally as well as to far away destinations. Other large well-run shops I've encountered include "The Fly Shop" in Redding, CA, Kingfisher in Missoula, MT, Dan Bailey in *********, MT.

For years my go-to shop was Feather-Craft because it was my local shop. That got me to think about how all these mail order shops are actually local shops as well. The guys and gals that work there are fantastic. That said, I try my best to shop my local shops, or local shops to where I am. The Green Drake here in Winston Salem is a great shop, but as many are he's limited by what the locals will buy to what he carries. Another favorite 'local' shop is The Driftless Angler in Viroqua, WI. Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg, VA is a great one too. Heard great things about Green Top north of Richmond, VA too.
Mossy Creek in Harrisonburg, VA is incredible. Living Waters in Round ROck, TX is also worth a stop.
Lots of WNC fly shops too that I always like to visit.
They always have the local flavors dialed in and are great for info - like others I always try to buy

Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, MT

Tochtermans and Great Feathers in Baltimore, and Bear's Den for mail order.... and Chris Barclay!

http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/stpr_ ... c=US&st=VT and there is always Orvis.

Fleabay!!!

I move between two continents, and as a result do see differences of stock in Europe and Canada. And though my office is in Stockholm, my wife, mortgage and tying vise is in Canada. So as my vise is in Canada, I am also thinking about shipping cost, ease of the border, et cetera ...

Canada - L'ami du Moucheur - our relationship goes back more than 20 years!
. there is also Stuart at Flymart, and First iCast n Guelph.

US - Bears Den - call in your order

FeatherCraft - but phone the order in, to manage shipping costs (their new website is a vast improvement)
Caddisfly - good stock, but their new website is a step back.
[*]I do not like site that use the WAPSI product photos only - like Caddisfly, as you do not get the full view of colours et cetera

I will go direct to the manufacturer like Hedron, RIO, NextCast, Monic or I will find better stock for Airflow or Guideline (3D lines) in the UK. I wish I could go direct to SIMMS (other than for repairs). I am happy to pick up my supplies in Munich or Stockholm too.

Always check the price!

I have used Anglers Workshop (but new owner has poorer shipping policies) and Mudhole. I really like Chris at Whitetail and hope the new owners are doing well.

If I am in LA, I will try to stop in Marriotts, and I like Backpackers Shop near Cleveland, Orlando Outfitters and Michel Young in Vancouver. If you are in Pulaski, please se Malinda!

I use to have an office in Boston and was a frequent visitor of American Angling in Salem NH and Hunters in NH. Both were amazing and sadly missed.

FishFirst is a ten minute bike ride away. It's a small but great shop whose sales guys are all really experienced and generous with their knowledge. They also offer lessons and guided trips from the Delta to the Sierra. Sister Store in Chico.

Jim Adams (Adams Angling) lives up the hill, and I've bought a couple of rods from him.

Further afield, in the Sacramento area, is Kienes Fly Shop. That's a great one if you're fishing the American and have a little time to spare. I finally stopped there for the first time last spring and bought a handful of shad flies.

The Fly Shop on the upper Sacramento is also a great shop.

Generally, if I need something that requires trying on or seeing in person, I head to Fishfirst for a look-see. If it's a fit, I follow through with a purchase from them. Thus Fishfirst has gotten all my wader and boot business, a lot of flies, whatever lines I feel need a look before purchasing, maps, etc., even if that item is less online. I want them to stay in business.

If I stop in at a fly shop in another area, I always buy some flies, tippet, something.

If I already know what I want and am just looking for the best price, I'll go online. Amazon Prime gets almost all our book business, and they deliver to a locker half a block away. That's a big relief as porch theft has become somewhat common hereabouts. Cabelas Bargain Basement has really done well by me, and the feeling is mutual!

Most of the vendors mentioned so far in this thread have gotten some of my business.

Ebay for all the old stuff - Martins, Medalists, Fenwicks, etc. - and the board here for newer used glass.

In a nutshell, I guess my approach is to spread the love but be smart about it.

Thanks for this one, tiptop; I'll have to stop in next trip.

Lowcountry Fly Shop here in Mt Pleasant, Backwater Angler in Monkton, MD, Kirk's Fly Shop in Estes Park, CO, Fly Fishers Place in Sisters, OR, Coleman's Fly Shop outside of Rochester, NY and Mossy Creek Fly Shop in Harrisonburg, VA. It hasn't been easy but I haven't made a big-box-store fly fishing purchase in almost 4 years. One of the best in the business, Oak Orchard Fly Shop in Williamsville, NY was a tough loss to take.

sticknhook,

I was only in there a couple of times (the three years we lived in SR I was eyeball deep in writing my dissertation and the grueling job search process, with little time for anything else, so I was on an extended hiatus from fishing). But it was a large and well-stocked store -- sad to hear of that loss for north bay sportsmen. Same story almost everywhere I guess.