Bass Pro Shops Announces Web Site Relaunch

From today's press release.

AMERICA’S #1 OUTDOOR RETAILER*UNVEILS NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE

New Features Make Navigating and Purchasing Much Easier

Springfield, MO---November 6, 2008---It’s out with the old and in with the new at Bass Pro Shops, America’s #1 Outdoor Retailer. The popular outdoors company has completely re-vamped www.basspro.com to make it much easier for customers to shop and search for information.

The home page has been redesigned to make it easier to find information about stores, restaurants and boat centers in a centralized location. Updates to the Outdoor Library provide for easy access to expert tips, outdoor articles, product reviews, and buying guides.
It is now much easier for customers to find and purchase products. New departments have been added to better represent the full assortment of products available and product groupings appropriate to a selected item may be viewed to remind customers of other items needed.
Departments are now highlighted by different colors making it easier to see what area they are in. In addition, users can narrow products by brand, price range, size, and more. They can also choose to sort by price or relevance. Even the checkout process has been simplified and streamlined – a must for today’s online shopper.

“Our objective was to create an online experience equal to our retail stores,” stated Tim Scott Director-Direct Sales and Operations for Bass Pro Shops. “The new basspro.com combines the best design, outdoor content, and user-friendly online shopping.”

Basspro.com was launched in 1996 and is visited by millions of outdoor enthusiasts every month.
*As ranked by Sporting Goods Business Magazine

Old News: Fly Shop Closes

It's old news at this point but reports in the Knox News indicate that Knoxville's, "The Creel" fly shop is going out of business. Our fellow fly fishing bloggers pretty much nailed the story and stated all that needed to be said.

It's been death by less than a thousand cuts," Rogers said. "Across the country we've lost a third of the fly shops in a two-to-three-year span. The interest in fly fishing is there, we've just seen changes in the way people shop."

Read more about this story via Trout Underground and Moldy Chum. As it often is with the blogosphere some of the best points come in the comments.

Bass Pro Founder Named Retailer of the Year

Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats Founder Johnny Morris Named Retail Innovator of the Year

Retail’s Most Innovative Leaders Honored at 97th Annual NRF Convention

New York City---January 15, 2008---The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution named John L. (Johnny) Morris the Retail Innovator of the Year.

Johnny Morris, founder and creator of one of the most beloved and recognizable brands in the world, created Bass Pro Shops simply because of his love of bass fishing and the outdoors. After using his own bait and stocking it in his father’s liquor stores, John quickly began to recognize sports fishermen’s need for specialized equipment and grew the idea into what has become a major tourist destination in virtually every store location. Three decades later, Bass Pro Shops continues to invoke the fantasy of every outdoor sportsman.

Other recipients were Terry Lundgren, Chairman and CEO of Macy’s, Inc with the Gold Medal Award and Lane Crawford, an Asian retailer, with the International Retailer of the Year Award.
“This year’s retail award winners have continued to keep up with their customers by providing some of the most advanced, innovative ideas around to handle their demands,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “We are thrilled to honor these visionaries for all they’ve accomplished in the ever-changing world of retail.”

But can you fish off the back deck?

The folks from Bass Pro Shops sent us this press release about their new floating fish house in Branson, MO.

White River Fish House set to open on Branson Landing

BRANSON, Mo. – The White River Fish House restaurant – just a short cast away from Bass Pro Shops White River Outpost on Branson Landing – will have its grand opening Tuesday, Oct. 30.

The unique floating White River Fish House seats up to 307 people. Visitors can relax on the bank of Lake Taneycomo and enjoy the great taste of the Ozarks with a unique dining experience.

The restaurant pays tribute to the White River, which was one of the first “highways” used by early American settlers to reach what was once a vast, uncharted wilderness. The river has helped shape Ozarks history.

When entering the restaurant, diners will be awed by the stunning view of Lake Taneycomo and the surrounding countryside. With wall-to-wall sliding glass doors and windows on three sides of the restaurant, there’s a tremendous view of the lake from every seat. The doors slide open to create a wonderful fresh-air experience while being sheltered from the elements.

There’s also a fabulous stone fireplace to warm the body after a day on the lake or shopping at Branson Landing.

Diners will be surrounded by what helped make the river a staple part of the Ozarks: antique motors, fishing equipment, paddles, boats and trophy mouths of local fish species.

In addition to the large dining room and bar area, there are two private dining rooms for more intimate gatherings. The restaurant is trimmed with wood and beautiful wooden beams.

The menu is full of local fare, including trout, catfish, walleye, St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, Ozarks hickory-smoked prime rib, steaks, chicken, hamburgers and sandwiches. You’ll also be able to sample a taste of the ocean, including tilapia, mahi mahi, tuna and shrimp.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. It does not accept reservations.
Steve Todd is general manager of the restaurant; Tom Metzner is chef; and Kacie Cramer is the front manager.

Where Tom Brady Buys His Fishing Gear.

How can you get year round value from your new football stadium? Easy, just build a Bass Pro Shop across the parking lot from it. No outdoors experience required.


"We're not outdoors people," Jonathan Kraft, president of The Kraft Group, said Thursday from an impromptu construction site stage also occupied by four New England Patriots cheerleaders and Gov. Deval Patrick.

With the stadium looming in the distance, construction crews went about their work as a banner was unfurled to reveal a store sign reading, "Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World."

Even more amazing from a PR standpoint is the next quote from the story:

"We had never heard of Bass Pro Shops, so we found that very hard to believe that there could be something out there that unique that we had never heard of," Jonathan Kraft told reporters and dignitaries at a ceremony to provide a sneak peek of the store, due to open Nov. 15.

What is Kraft's favorite fishing bait? The cheese worm of course. Although, things could be much worse, we hear the Atlanta Falcons might be looking into a Petsmart franchise.

Like Disney only with fly fishing

L.L. Bean Inc. plans to develop a theme park style adventure center in Freeport, Maine.

"Bean envisions a "family-friendly outdoor adventure attraction with lodging amenities under something similar to a theme park operating model," the document said."

No rides though...

There are no plans for roller coasters or log flumes. Instead, the idea would build upon efforts by outdoors outfitters like Cabela's, L.L. Bean and Bass Pro Shops to generate customer traffic by offering rock-climbing walls, aquariums and even ponds to let customers try out equipment.

Via Boston.com - Photo from Wikipedia

Cabelas Signs Sponsorship With Paralyzed Vets

David Uchic from the Paralyzed Veterans of America sent us this press release announcing a sponsorhip deal with outdoors big box retailer Cabelas:

Washington DC-Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) has reached a sponsorship agreement with Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter. Cabela's will support the 2007 PVA Bass Tour and the 11th Annual PVA National Trapshoot Circuit.

"Paralyzed Veterans is honored and deeply grateful to have a company like Cabela's on board with the PVA Bass Tour and PVA National Trapshoot Circuit," said Randy L. Pleva, Sr., national president of Paralyzed Veterans. "And we would like to thank Cabela's for providing outdoor clothing to the disabled anglers and trapshooters who are competing in our events."

The PVA Bass Tour, a B.A.S.S. sanctioned event, consists of five annual events from Augusta, GA, to Ft. Hood in Belton, TX. The Tour provides fishing opportunities to both disabled and nondisabled anglers. The PVA National Trapshoot Circuit consists of 10 annual events from Myrtle Beach, SC, to San Diego, CA. The Circuit was created to give individuals with disabilities a chance to participate in the recreational and competitive sport of trapshooting. One of the goals of the Circuit is to enable shooters with disabilities and able-bodied shooters to compete as equals.

Programs such as the Bass Tour and Trapshoot Circuit could not take place without the generous support of sponsors such as Cabela's. "Cabela's is proud to partner with the Paralyzed Veterans of America," said Dennis Highby, president and chief executive officer of Cabela's. "We're honored to help give these anglers and trapshooters a chance to compete in the outdoor sports they, and we, enjoy."

Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. Paralyzed Veterans is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 19,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans, visit its website at www.pva.org.

Cabela's Inc., headquartered in Sidney, NE, is the world's largest direct marketer-and a leading specialty retailer of-hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Founded in 1961, Cabela's has grown to become one of the most well-known recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World's Foremost Outfitter. Through Cabela's direct business and its growing number of destination retail stores, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela's also issues the Cabela's CLUB VISA credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program.

The glamorous life of the fly shop owner

This article from Salem Oregon's StatesmanJournal gives some insight into the world of the small fly shop owner in the age of the big box retailer.


Q: What was the impact of Sportsman's Warehouse coming to town?
A: (laughs) I always thought, "Hey I'm a big-shot fly shop owner. I'm going to get to fly all over the world and fish. I'm lucky if I get to fish at all now. Kathy and I get maybe four fishing trips a year together where it's not work-related stuff.

The UPC Dropper

I don't know why but this really seemed odd to me. During a recent visit to our local Bass Pro, I noticed that some of the bulk flies had little tiny UPC bar codes attached to them by thin strands of monofilament, tied on in dropper fashion. I couldn't help but wonder how much they pay someone to tie each of the tags to the bend of those size 16 and 18 hooks?