Flyshop Friday

“Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop started in 1992 with Scott Eldredge’s love of fly fishing. This was an idea he had for a fly shop that offered excellent customer service where any fly fisherman, no matter what their skill level, would feel comfortable.” This is what Jim Bernstien, the manager, told me four years ago. To this day, they offer some of the best customer service I have seen any where.

The shop is located only minutes from some of the best striper fishing on the east coast and has gained a following as the premier salt shop. What most people don’t realize is that these guys, Tom Cormier, Jeff Faulkner, Mark Drummond, Tom Gagnon and Jim Bernstein are incredible trout fishermen as well. They have over 100 years of experience between them and have traveled around Maine and the world in search of trout. Just this past year, Tom Cormier went to Chile, Argentina, Calgary, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Tom Gagnon spent the summer in Montana working a gear boat. In October Jim spent two weeks in Montana and numerous days traveling around Maine in search of landlocked salmon and brook trout. Mark Drummond, who guides for the shop, fished in Alaska.

The shop has been very supportive of youth programs I have done. They believe the future of our sport lies with our kids. The shop donated 10 vises and helped me get 10 fly rods to use with a youth program I was doing with the local school. Since the shop started, Jim has had several young people work at the shop and taught them the trade. Not surprising, some have ended up as guides out in Montana.

Their dedication to the sport manifests itself not only in how they serve anglers in their shop, but also in how they genuinely enjoy the camaraderie fishing has to offer. Last season, I bought a drift boat and was learning to row. Jim drove a total of 10 hours round trip to help me work out the bugs and learn some new water. This is their passion, this is what they live and breathe.

Kevin McKay
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