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Rangeley Region Sports Shop Turns 75
January 30, 2020 Brett and Susan Damm

Rangeley Region Sports Shop Turns 75

In the year 1945 George Fletcher moved his home business to Main Street Rangeley and opened Fletcher's Fly Shop. His main business was fly tying supplies but also sold flies and other fly fishing gear.  He sent out a printed catalog filling orders from all around the country. The catalog went out for nearly 40 years under three different owners. We are blessed to be the seventh owners and stewards of what I believe is the oldest running fly shop in the state. We will be celebrating the store's 75th year throughout 2020, mostly during the summer months. We will be writing a series of blogs on the history of the shop and another about old fly patterns called "Patterns of the Past".  An "Angling Arts" show that we are sponsoring opens on July 10th and will be in place for a couple weeks at the Lakeside Theater. We also plan on having a series of events featuring well known tiers and anglers. Coming for spring newly designed t-shirts and hats will help to commemorate the anniversary.  Stay tuned as we still have lots of planning to do and will keep everyone posted as the year progresses.
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Comments

James Valuckas - February 27, 2020

I lived in Oquossoc in 1977 &1978 at the Hatcher. I would visit the Sport Shop then run by Dick Frost and purchase his rejected flies for my use. I also was a friend of the Grey Ghost, Ned Sterns one of the most successful guilds in Rangeley. I am retired and live in Connecticut and am a member of the Thames River Trout Unlimited. I hope to return sometime in the near future and fish the Rapid River.

Chris - February 27, 2020

As the fifth owner of the shop we enjoyed a wonderful 26 year run from 1988 to 2004. The shop had a wide variety of goods, but by the mid-90’s we felt it was best to go “back to the roots” as an exclusively fly fish only shop. We’re so happy that its history and legacy are so we’ll maintained.

Art Davis - January 31, 2020

I’ve been in your shop numerous time for flys and information regarding fishing in the area always so Pleasant and helpful enjoy your monthly letter looking forward to your new blogs
Enjoy the last days of winter Spring will so be here
Tight Lines
Art Davis

Betty Hinkley Crocker - January 31, 2020

While in High School I used to address the catalog envelopes for the Richard’s family. At night time Arlen Wentzell who worked at the post office would come to their home and affix the proper postage amount on them and get ready to mail out. Carl Eastwood worked for the Richards and would come and check on me at their kitchen table.

Deryn LaCombe - January 31, 2020

I love the Patterns of the Past idea! Make sure you include the Gravel Gertie and Dr. Grantham, those are two unique patterns I’ve always associated with the shop that no one else carried!

Ken - January 31, 2020

Very Cool!

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