ok my turn to chime in.
I like bass pro they have excellent prices on alot of the big ticket things that I buy infrequently (ie waders, boot rods reels), but when I am getting ready for a day on the water and picking up the nessesaties (Leader, flies indies) or looking for tying supplies.
Then I will be going to Fishtales why I like the staff, I like shooting the *hit and I get what their guides are seeing on the river. same reason I alway stop at vic's in Crowsnest and drop 30 40 bucks on flies and leader he and his guides now their *hit. and I'll get what is hitting on the river.
so as far as I see there is a place for both (and in the long run the little guy will see more cash from me Cause I still feed a crap load of flies to the tree behind me )
Tight lines
Teck