And react almost instantaneous-
ly to trends.
“Sometimes a new product will
be shown at (outdoors trade show)
iCast, or they’ll show it online,”
says Puddephatt. “I’ll get on the
phone and try to source that out.”
Within days, he can have the prod-
uct on the shelves. Lavigne echoes
that philosophy, noting that bow
and gun companies offer exclusive
lines to specialty outfitters which
are not sold in big box stores.
“We’re all about that,” she said.
“We excel in special orders.”
While all the retailers offer
in-store events, seminars and
training sessions, there’s
something just a bit more homey
about them in a small retail
shop. On winter Thursday nights
Puddephatt hosts “The Water’s
Stiff and I Can’t Go Bass Fishing”
drop-ins and works hard to keep
customers in the habit of stopping
by with wacky promotions like
the “Wing Ding Spring Sale Thing”
or “Paddletales Pilgrim Poultry
Palooza.” And yes, there really is
poultry. And it’s free.
Over at That Hunting Store,
events include the “Father’s
Day Firearms Festivus and Flea
Market.” Lavigne says, “I know
it’s a mouthful, but people look
forward to it and we have fun
doing it.”
When it comes to price, big
chains usually win, but Ritchie
points out bigger does not always
mean cheaper. And price is not
always the most important factor.
“Sometimes it is about the buying
experience, getting recommen-
dations that reflect your needs,”
he says. “Sometimes it’s about
understanding how to use the
product.” In these areas, specialty
shops often have the edge.
As for the future, Ritchie says
healthy markets need both large
and small retailers, offering a
variety of products and service.
“I think there is room for both
big superstore retailers and
small retailers,” he says. “But
that’s not to say it’s going to be
easy for them.”
www.fishhuntandride.ca
Renegade Bass
heading to
World Fishing
Network
TOURNAMENT SEASON
AT A GLANCE
BY ED HAND
RENEGADE BASS, the gold st andard in
tournament fishing in Canada, is set to take
bass fishing to the next level. Entering its 22nd
season, it’s aiming to give anglers and angling
fans a front row seat to the action.
For the first time ever, Renegade Bass has
brought on board noted Canadian angler, J.P.
DeRose to film the entire season. The man
behind Breaking Boundaries on the World
Fishing Network, will film all four qualifiers
plus the two-day Classic championship for
WFN. A first in Canadian tournament fishing,
Renegade Bass TV will air 13 episodes on
featuring the Renegade season and the
Thousand Islands Open.
Bass fishing fans will get to see some of
Canada’s experts at their sport as teams
battle for a position in the Classic, where a
$65,000 Ranger bass boat is docked at the
end of the rainbow.
Another first for Renegade Bass will be the
live streaming of each weigh-in so fans can
follow their favourite anglers and the action
from desktop or laptop computer.
Building on the success of the televised,
Thousand Islands Open, Renegade Bass has
answered the call of angling aficionados to
provide even more on-the-water action to the
big screen.
The organization is also launching a new
interactive website to bring bass fans more
footage and video of anglers in action, tips
from experts, interviews, and the latest fishing
products from manufacturers. Viewers will also
be able to follow the action from a smartphone
on Renegade Bass social media channels.
The action starts with the first qualifier
on Newboro Lake, out of Newboro Ont., on
June 24.
RENEGADE BASS QUALIFIERS
• NEWBORO LAKE, NEWBORO, JUNE 24
• LAKE ST. FRANCIS, CORNWALL, JULY 8
• OTTAWA RIVER, ROCKLAND, JULY 22
• ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, MORRISBURG, AUG 19
The top half of the field will move on to the
Renegade Bass Classic in a two-day event which
will see the top team tow away that top-dollar
Ranger bass boat.
There is still time to become part of the
action.
REGISTER TO COMPETE AT RENEGADEBASS. COM
FISH , HUNT RIDE | 7