Wholesale Sports Nanaimo -- Anyone checked it out?

**Hookeye** · August 28th, 2009, 07:10 AM

Has anyone checked out the new Wholesale Sports outlet in Nanaimo?

If so what did you think?

**11th Warrior** · August 28th, 2009, 07:46 AM

I've been in there twice and I like the store. The selection for fly tying material is outstanding and they also have a good quantity of vests/chestpacks, etc. One area I was diappointed in was their selection of waders. They carry 3 or 4 models of neoprenes and 3 models of breathables but all the breathables are low-end Redington or Bare Blackwaters (which isn't really a top brand, although they are Canadian). I was hoping they'd carry the Redington CPX but when I asked, I got the "deer in the headlights" look.

I've found their service behind the counter in the fly section was somewhat....non-existant. The guy behind the counter didn't appear to have a lot of experience in the fly fishing world and didn't know anything about the 3 lines I was looking at. I took my business elsewhere.

It's worth dropping in just to take a look if you live close enough, although I wouldn't make a special trip unless you knew what you were looking for. They do carry the Outcast and Fishcat pontoons along with...the Classic Accessories boats, which I was quite happy to see, since I'm in the market for a 2nd boat for my 13 year old son.

I live in Courtenay and plan on driving down this weekend for a couple of fly boxes. They have the Amundson box I've been trying to find for 5 months

**Hookeye** · August 28th, 2009, 08:00 AM

Thanks Warrior. Actually when I originally asked I was going to add my thoughts but didn't want to sound off until I heard someone else's opinion in case I was just too fussy. I went down there and like the store layout and such but asked a guy at the counter about a rotary vice. He didn't know the names of the vices they had on display and couldn't really help me out. I also wanted to look at some hooks and they are all behind the counter and up high. Also the rods are all up high and you have to pull them off the rack to get a good look at what they are. The prices were so-so on most materials and outright expensive on some. I'll still shop there but will continue to visit Gone Fishing and hope that the new kid in town doesn't take away too much of their business.

**11th Warrior** · August 28th, 2009, 09:03 AM

The placement of the hooks definitely doesn't make any sense. I guess they're just trying to limit their theft ratio, but stil....

I agree that the rods are hard to look at and some of their prices are out to lunch but I found, on average, they weren't any better than what I can get either at my local shops or online. It was the selection I was impressed with. It's even better than Robinson's in Victoria (although Robinson's has, in my opinion, the best service I've found in any fly shop I've been into).

If I know what I want and I can't find it here, I might shop there if I'm in town but for the most part I'll hit Gone Fishin' or Tyee here in town.

**11th Warrior** · September 8th, 2009, 08:52 AM

I was in the store yesterday and they've moved the hooks out from behind the counter and are now in a regular aisle. I also found the "regular" fly fishing associate and he was quite knowledgeable.

**btree** · September 8th, 2009, 04:05 PM

I too have heard and experienced a wide variety in the knowledge and helpfullness of the sales staff. Some have no clue, some dont even want to make eye contact and dissappear just before you try to ask a question, and some will tell you stories to no end and know all the stuff in their department. I've been there three times and have experienced these three sorts of help in the fishing department.

I'll still do my big fishing purchases at the smaller local shops, and will continue to support them, but it's really fun to wander about in the big shop, what with all the bright lights. I think it will be a good place to go to after visiting the local shop, especially for fly tying materials that are often hard to find or go out of stock quickly depending on the season and the shop.

For my outdoors and hiking gear, I'll still do 99% of my shopping at MEC or online, but they have the basics covered.

**11th Warrior** · September 8th, 2009, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by btree

I'll still do my big fishing purchases at the smaller local shops, and will continue to support them, but it's really fun to wander about in the big shop, what with all the bright lights. I think it will be a good place to go to after visiting the local shop, especially for fly tying materials that are often hard to find or go out of stock quickly depending on the season and the shop.

For my outdoors and hiking gear, I'll still do 99% of my shopping at MEC or online, but they have the basics covered.

I think that says it all right there. It's a good place to after you've exhausted all the local shops. They've got a few things I can't find up here but that's just because my shops suck.

Every time we visit the inlaws I go through the MEC store...most of the time I'm just day dreaming about stuff I want, lol.