The Virtual Flyshop

Two and a half years ago Fly Fisherman Magazine was promoting their new website. Just then, I got a computer with Internet-surfing capacity. I was tired of the magazine, but my fishing addiction combined with my new toy compelled me to test the offering.

The Virtual Flyshop (VFS) began as an online flyfishing magazine and become an online library and coffeehouse. It is the best flyfishing website by far, I think.

As with any library, you find specific interest areas: conservation/political, rod-building, casting, fly tying, new product/shopping, etc. VFS further subdivides the shopping area into equipment reviews, classified and commercial ads. Each area has a consistent visual format with a bulletin board, collection of articles, and database information. In fly tying, for example, you can discuss fly tying problems and solutions, read a fly tying article, look up a pattern (with photos), or swap flies.

My favourite feature is the General Bulletin Board. It gets about 100 posts per day, mostly from North America, but also from Europe and Australia. Responses to questions or opinions usually come within half a day; "conversations" develop. It's helpful, informative and a darn good read. It's like Winter Hatches only bigger! Often, I'll scan the Board to see what 'Jeff K' or 'Emerger' says on a topic.

VFS has software that allows you to see all the responses to the original post when opening that post. This is faster and easier than opening each. In my experience, it's unique to VFS. This Bulletin Board also has a search feature that allows you collect all the posts on a given topic--great for when you want opinions on something you intend to buy.

VFS also has regional references. In their system, Canada has two regions. The Eastern Canada region extends from the Ontario/Manitoba border and includes Maritime information. Nevertheless, here you'll find news and fishing reports of immediate interest. Ian Martin updates reports on the Grand River here. Want to travel to the Crowsnest River in Alberta, or the Farmington River in Connecticut? Use the appropriate regional directory in VFS to find flyshops, hatch information and river conditions.

I'd like to see three improvements. On the opening page, the links to the areas I've mentioned are not obvious; they look like a list until you put your cursor over them. I'd also like to see better information for novice casters and beginning tiers. (<http://www.flyanglersonline.com/> has better content for new flyfishers.)

The VFS is a commercial venture and sells advertising space, so all of this is free to us. VFS monitors the site closely for content accuracy and civility. If you like to read or talk about fishing, you'll like this website. I spend many hours in the VFS. Lucky for me, I've got unlimited time for a low monthly fee.

Reviewed by: Greg Herring (drumfish@better.net)