Cabela's

[Newbs]

I was visiting family in Seattle this week and we stopped at the new Cabela's in Lacey. WOW. That is one cool place. It has to be one the best taxidermy displays I've ever seen. My daughter was in complete awe.

The fly shop was okay. Not as much stuff for tying as I was hoping for but the sales guy was friendly and helpful so I eventually spent all my money...

Worth stopping just to take a look.

[AndyK]

I've been in the Lacey Cabela's a couple times and it is an amazing place. There is always something there you didn't think you needed when you walked in.

However, the selection in the fly shop is not as good as the catalog and the catalog is not as good as shopping Cabela's on line. I guess it is all a trade off.

Still worth a stop if you are "up north".

[nookslayer]

It's more of a "Toys R US" for guys. I agree with Andy's take though. On line has TONS more than to store or the catalog. Although it is hard to beat the catalog when you are indisposed....

[money2182]

there is a rumor that they are building a cabelas in albany Oregon ive never been and i dont have the time to run up to lacey but it sounds like its not really worth the trip or am i wrong how is it compared to sportsmans warehouse...im lucky my fiancee works at Joes and hooks me up gotta love her...

[Newbs]

there is a rumor that they are building a cabelas in albany Oregon ive never been and i dont have the time to run up to lacey but it sounds like its not really worth the trip or am i wrong how is it compared to sportsmans warehouse...im lucky my fiancee works at Joes and hooks me up gotta love her...

Sportsman's does have a fairly nice building and display setup, but they really don't compare to what Cabela's has done. IMO it's not even close. I wouldn't make the drive to Lacy just to shop...the selection on line is much better, but if you want to see a lot of very nice mounts of just about every species you can imagine, it's worth the trip.

[neuronick]

there is a rumor that they are building a cabelas in albany Oregon ive never been and i dont have the time to run up to lacey but it sounds like its not really worth the trip or am i wrong how is it compared to sportsmans warehouse...im lucky my fiancee works at Joes and hooks me up gotta love her...

From my experiences shopping at both Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse, I would say that SW has the more extensive fishing department. I have also found SW to have lower prices on most items. On things like hooks, lines, and fly-tying materials, I think SW is the best. Cabela's is far better, however, in terms of outerwear and clothing. They have many house-brand items that seem very good and well priced. I just picked up a new wading jacket and new boots from Cabela's last week. On these items Cabela's beat SW by far.

That being said, visiting a Cabela's store is a shopping experience. The taxidermy and aquariums are pretty incredible, and certainly worth the stop. I have also had less-than-acceptable customer service experiences at the Clackamas SW location recently, and Cabela's might be better in this regard.

The Cabela's online catalog is fantastic. However, I suggest also checking The Fly Fishing Shop's (Welches) online catalog before ordering from Cabela's. The FFS has most of the same items we steelhead guys want, and is no more expensive (can even be cheaper). Importantly, I have found that The FFS processes orders and ships them about twice as fast as Cabela's does.

To sumarize, if you want to go to an actual store and buy a bunch of fishing tackle, I recommend Sportsman's Warehouse. For online ordering, check The Fly Fishing Shop's catalog first. They are better than Cabela's if they have what you are looking for. For additional items, order online from Cabela's. If you are ever driving by a Cabela's store, go in and check it out just for fun. :twocents:

[money2182]

well thank u guys very much for that information now i know where i need to do my fly fishing shopping

[Pyrojake]

That store is nice but the most amazing store i've ever been in is the Bass Pro shops/ Outdoor wold in tennessee. it's probably twice as big.

[sms]

One area of the store that hasn't been talked about is "Gun Library." I'm not that into guns and it was still pretty sweet. It also has a shooting range I believe?

I was there for at least 2 hrs and saw about 3/4 of the store. It's more of an amusement park than a store, in my opinion. Not that many sales and fairly spendy. Definitely still worth a stop if you're driving by though!

[Dan360]

Sportsman's does have a fairly nice building and display setup, but they really don't compare to what Cabela's has done. IMO it's not even close. I wouldn't make the drive to Lacy just to shop...the selection on line is much better, but if you want to see a lot of very nice mounts of just about every species you can imagine, it's worth the trip.

I think this is why I prefer SW over Cabelas. I live 2 miles from the Cabelas in Lacey and I won't shop there unless I'm gettin their biscuits and gravy or I have lots of time to burn without spending any money. I cross the freeway and go to SW where everything is easy to find and I can grab and go. To me, SW is much more user friendly and the staff show MUCH more product knowledge in most departments. Cabelas has the advantage of some experienced fly fishermen in their fly shop, but many of the other staff don't have much to tell you besides where to find things.

[Newbs]

One area of the store that hasn't been talked about is "Gun Library." I'm not that into guns and it was still pretty sweet. It also has a shooting range I believe?

I was there for at least 2 hrs and saw about 3/4 of the store. It's more of an amusement park than a store, in my opinion. Not that many sales and fairly spendy. Definitely still worth a stop if you're driving by though!

I enjoyed the Gun Library as well. It's a first class display of some of the finest made guns in the world. Also some of the most expensive.

Fun times.

[Wreckless]

To me, comparing Sportsmans Warehouse to Cabela's is like comparing a 28# Chrome wild Steelhead to a small Carp.......Don't get me wrong. I've purchased guns and gear from SW, BUT my wife & I went in last weekend with a list that would have totaled EASILY over $200. They had NONE of it, I mean not even close. We aren't talking obscure products either. Their shelves looked like they are getting ready to close down. Again, I'll go back (My in-laws live near by:D), but Cabela's is in a different league, IMHO!!!!

Cabela's is an experience, I can't imagine driving past it without stopping. My last & only trip up there cost over $5000!!!!! We picked up a NICE duck boat and some extra toys!!!:meme:

[SSPey]

comparing either of these monolithic faceless corporate megamarts to a well run independent flyshop is like comparing a butcher to a surgeon :twocents:

[neuronick]

comparing either of these monolithic faceless corporate megamarts to a well run independent flyshop is like comparing a butcher to a surgeon :twocents:


Which is one more reason to check The Fly Fishing Shop first!

:)

[Dan360]

SW doesn't have the credit right now to buy product, so their shelves will be empty. Once the new ownership takes over with better credit, they should be back to their regular selves. I just find that the Cabelas "experience" is a waste of time. I don't want an experience, I want my stuff so I can go use it.

[Newbs]

I'm going to make another trip up next week with my brother and his son just to see all of the taxidermy displays. I'm looking forward to it.

Fun times...

[Wreckless]

comparing either of these monolithic faceless corporate megamarts to a well run independent flyshop is like comparing a butcher to a surgeon :twocents:


True-When i go to Re-tool for my annual trip to Klamath lake, I'll be stopping by River City for tapered leaders, flouro tippet and some flys I really don't need:D

But I still like the Cabela's "Experience".

[merten]

has any one ever ly fished on the wallowa river. thats good fly fishing for rainbows in july.

[Blind Bobber]

Yes! My friend and my boys and I took a trip to the holy land. Without realizing it we had spend six hours just trollin around. I knew we had been there too long when my younger boy crawled into a tent and almost fell asleep. It is a fun place to people watch as well.
BLIND BOBBER:cool:

[leadeyedbugger]

Stopped by the cabelas in Boise on my way to yellowstone a couple years ago.......The gun library was amazing and the mounts were great.....The fly shop sucked.....