I hate to say it, but I have to disagree about the service at Fishtales.
I am a newbie flyfisherman, do not live in Calgary, and I only get there a couple of times a year.
Last summer I was in Calgary for one day, and went into Fishtales to pick up a dozen or so flies and find out a little about the Bow River.
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the trays of flies laid out before me, I asked the guy behind the counter (who appeared irritated by being torn away from his magazine), "wow! How does a person choose from all these flies??"
His response was, "pretty much any one of those is working right now." (back to the magazine.)
Me: "so where would you send a newbie who is just in town for the day and has a few hours to fish?"
Him: "just go anywhere on the river and you should do fine."
"Really? Anywhere?"
"Yup. That'll be $24 for the flies." (Back to the magazine)
So I went down to the dog park at the end of Southland, walked to the river, and got yelled at by a dog owner for fishing where there could be dogs swimming.
I don't want to know his secret spots, but he at least could have lied to me and given me directions to some place under some bridge somewhere, so I would leave the store with a good taste.
I like to test a store for their customer service with a small purchase. When it comes time for a larger purchase, Fishtales will not be an option for me. :derby racer: