Calling all casters

POULSBO — For flyfishing enthusiasts wondering where the nearest fly shop is in the North End, look no further than Poulsbo Village, where Bill Drewry and his team of professionals can be found at Peninsula Outfitters. The shop is nestled between the Poulsbo Florist and Mike’s Carwash and has been busy since March when Drewry bought the store from Richard Stoll.

POULSBO — For flyfishing enthusiasts wondering where the nearest fly shop is in the North End, look no further than Poulsbo Village, where Bill Drewry and his team of professionals can be found at Peninsula Outfitters.

The shop is nestled between the Poulsbo Florist and Mike’s Carwash and has been busy since March when Drewry bought the store from Richard Stoll.

“Our goal is to get everyone enthused about the sport,” Drewry said.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, that often means demystifying the seemingly complex art of flyfishing, he said.

“We won’t let you leave here without knowing how to use (a fly rod),” he said.

To that end, the company offers a one-day beginner’s flyfishing class at Trophy Lake in Port Orchard, where instructor Ted Teather teaches the basics of the sport, Drewry said.

“We teach you how to tie the knots to catch fish, what flies to use to catch what fish under what conditions, and by the end of the day you’ll be catching and releasing pretty big fish,” Teather said.

Flyfishing isn’t limited to older children and adults, either, he said.

“My grandkids began when they were 4,” Teather said.

The introduction to flyfishing isn’t necessarily as expensive as newcomers might think, Drewry said.

“I sell a complete (fishing) set for $139,” he said. “My goal is to be competitive, but it’s quality.”

For those who are already immersed in the sport, Drewry said the shop provides everything they’re looking for and it meets a definite need within the North End.

“People have been looking for a local fly shop, and we want them to know we’re here,” he said.

Peninsula Outfitters is the closest shop to the Sage Manufacturing plant on Bainbridge Island, Drewry said. Monthly tours of the plant are offered through the store.

“With them so close, it only made sense to have a fly shop here,” he said.

Although places like Montana and the Caribbean are highly acclaimed fishing destinations, there are several great opportunities locally, he said.

“There are lots of rivers and lakes and saltwater opportunities all over our area,” Drewry said.

The reason destinations like Montana receive so much notoriety is because of the knowledge provided by local fishing guides, who know how and where to find the best fishing, he said.

“Here there are lots of places people can go for an hour or two before or after work,” Drewry said. “It’s a year-round thing.”

The crew at Peninsula Outfitters knows where those places are and can direct fishermen to them, so fishing doesn’t have to be an all-day affair, he said.

When it comes to location, Drewry said he couldn’t be happier to be in Poulsbo Village.

“The access to (State Route) 305 is great, and you can see us from the highway,” he said.

Currently the store is open Monday through Saturday, but plans are already being made to be open seven days a week beginning in July or August, he said.

The store’s Web site, www.peninsulaoutfitters.com is also a great resource for those interested in either purchasing gear or signing up for a class.

In addition to Sage, the store carries products by Reddington, Simms, Ross and Tibor among others.

“Customer service is our No. 1 goal, and we also want to get more people involved in our sport,” Drewry said.

Tags: