Retirement photo

Retirement Announcement

Retirement photo

Hook Line & Sinker, and The First Cast Fly Shop have flourished as a leader in our industry for over 28 years trying to bring each and every one of you from your “First Cast” on each trip to a lasting obsession.

I have been fortunate to turn my avocation into my vocation – my hobby into my livelihood.

Over those years, I was able to eat, sleep, breathe and drink my pastime.

The store is truly a product of you, my customer, your support, and the shared knowledge.

I am very proud to say that each day I tried to build the store’s reputation on the utmost in quality, customer service, attention to detail and professionalism. (… Most days …) 

When I wasn’t out fishing, I was doing so “vicariously” through all you, and believe it or not, sharing all the great “catch” stories is what made the days I wasn’t fishing and in the shop ALL worth it.

It is with great sadness, yet at the same time a sense of accomplishment that I announce that I will be retiring May 27th, 2023, and the shop will close its doors permanently.

Without YOUR help, my true love and passion for this sport would not have continued all these years.

I now look back and ask myself:

How many people did I help? – The answer is not enough, but at this stage in my life I think it’s time for me to be selfish and while my wife and I have our health, enjoy the rest of our lives doing ALL the things a small business owner sacrifices.

After all these years I STILL have the love for this sport and will continue to serve the fishing community with volunteering education efforts at schools and perhaps in the College System. 

Thank you for all your stories … (There were days that I should have been wearing waders in the shop because of all the sh*t floating around in the store, but THAT’S exactly why we all got together …)

The beauty of our sport is that there is no right or wrong …

Luck is still a major contributor, and even the worst, oldest, ugliest “lure” in the water MAY still work …

Even a beginner with limited skillset, can still be the first to catch, or be the person to catch the “biggest” …

Retirement photo

Thank you for all your pictures …

To you, it was just a shop visit, but I learned EVERY day from EVERY customer … You ALL made a difference in my life.

I will truly miss all that contributed and promoted my little shop.

Thank you for supporting my shop …

Thank you for supporting my family…

I will slowly start to wind the business down starting immediately with periodic SALES throughout the upcoming weeks, so please keep an eye on the website.

Again, effective May 27th, 2023, the doors will be closed permanently.

Although I will not have a storefront, I may continue with several different aspects of the business to keep myself busy while not on the water:

  • UBNA – We have 200-250 followers to the store website daily and will continue this momentum to turn your old tackle into $$!
  • Vintage Reel Repairs – We repair at least one a week and offer a service that is second to NONE in our entire industry!
  • Rod Repairs – We repair at least one a week and offer a service that is second to NONE in our entire industry!
  • Custom Rod Building – We build at least two a month and offer a service that is second to NONE in our entire industry!
  • Learn To Fly Fish Lessons & Guiding – Instead of meeting at the shop, we will meet right on the river!

Details on the logistics, the drop off and pick-up are still being organized for the above, but I will keep you posted.

I wish you ALL, the best in life and hope that at some point I made a difference in your life, as every one of you did mine.

Please feel free to pass this email on to anyone who may have an interest.

Tight Lines ALWAYS,

Ray Collesso – TPPP – The Purveyor of Piscatorial Pursuits … ;-)

Simms Rivershed Wading Boots - C/W - Hardbite Studs & Star Cleats - Size 11 - LIKE NEW! - $200

SOLD! – Simms Rivershed Wading Boots – C/W – Hardbite Studs & Star Cleats – Size 11 – LIKE NEW! – $200

G. Loomis - GLX FR1568/9-3 Spey Rod - 13' - 8/9WT - 3Pc - Made in Canada - C/W TWO TIPS & Tube - GREAT SHAPE! - $400

SOLD! – G. Loomis – GLX FR1568/9-3 Spey Rod – 13′ – 8/9WT – 3Pc – Made in Canada – C/W TWO TIPS & Tube – GREAT SHAPE! – $400

Black Watch - BW118-4 - 11' - 8Wt - 3Pc - Switch Rod & Tube - GREAT SHAPE! - $150

Black Watch – BW118-4 – 11′ – 8Wt – 3Pc – Switch Rod & Tube – GREAT SHAPE! – $150

Orvis Clearwater - 910-4 - 9' - 10WT - 4Pc Fly Rod C/W Tube - LIKE NEW! - $200

SOLD! – Orvis Clearwater – 910-4 – 9′ – 10WT – 4Pc Fly Rod C/W Tube – LIKE NEW! – $200

Maxcatch - Premier - 843-4 - 8' 4" - 3Wt - 3Piece Fly Rod - LIKE NEW! - $75

Maxcatch – Premier – 843-4 – 8′ 4″ – 3Wt – 3Piece Fly Rod – LIKE NEW! – $75

White River - Heat HT 7109-4 - 7' 10" - 9Wt Fly Rod - C/W Tube - $100

White River – Heat HT 7109-4 – 7′ 10″ – 9Wt Fly Rod – C/W Tube – $100

White River - Hobbs Creek HC 908-4 - 9' - 6Wt - 4Pc Fly Rod & Rod & Reel Tube- GREAT SHAPE! - $100

White River – Hobbs Creek HC 908-4 – 9′ – 6Wt – 4Pc Fly Rod & Rod & Reel Tube- GREAT SHAPE! – $100

Vintage - Hardy - "Neo Cane - Glen Farrar" - 6Wt - 3PC Fly Rod - EXCELLENT CONDITION! - $200

SOLD! – NEW PRICE! – Vintage – Hardy – “Neo Cane – Glen Farrar” – 6Wt – 3PC Fly Rod – EXCELLENT CONDITION! – $150

Simms Headwaters Four Reel Case - Dark Elkhorn - LIKE NEW! - $30

SOLD! – Simms Headwaters Four Reel Case – Dark Elkhorn – LIKE NEW! – $30

Orvis Hydros - Large Arbor VI Fly Reel - C/W Scientific Anglers Skagit Extreme 600 Grain Fly Line- LIKE NEW! - $250

SOLD! – Orvis Hydros – Large Arbor VI Fly Reel – C/W Scientific Anglers Skagit Extreme 600 Grain Fly Line- LIKE NEW! – $250

Orvis Battenkill - Mid Arbor IV FLY REEL - C/W Scientific Anglers Air Cel WF7F Fly Line - GREAT SHAPE! - $150

SOLD! – Orvis Battenkill – Mid Arbor IV FLY REEL – C/W Scientific Anglers Air Cel WF7F Fly Line – GREAT SHAPE! – $150

Orvis Battenkill - Mid Arbor IV FLY REEL - C/W WF6FSTV Fly Line - GREAT SHAPE! - $150

SOLD! – Orvis Battenkill – Mid Arbor IV FLY REEL – C/W WF6FSTV Fly Line – GREAT SHAPE! – $150

White River - KFG910 - Kingfisher Fly Reel - Blue - C/W RIO Switch Chucker #8 - LIKE NEW! - $175

SOLD! – White River – KFG910 – Kingfisher Fly Reel – Blue – C/W RIO Switch Chucker #8 – LIKE NEW! – $175

White River - KFG78 - Kingfisher Fly Reel - Green - C/W Cortland WF8F Steelhead Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $125

SOLD! – White River – KFG78 – Kingfisher Fly Reel – Green – C/W Cortland WF8F Steelhead Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $150

White River KFG56 Kingfisher Fly Reel - C/W RIO Gold WF5F Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $125

SOLD! – White River – KFG56 Kingfisher Fly Reel – Green – C/W RIO Gold WF5F Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $150

MaxCatch - AVID - #3/4 Fly Reel - C/W RIO WF4F Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $75

SOLD! – MaxCatch – AVID – #3/4 Fly Reel – GREEN – C/W RIO WF4F Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $75

Goture Fly Fishing Reel - 9/10 - CNC Machined Large Arbor Fishing Reel - C/W RIO Type 3 Sinking Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $100

SOLD! – Goture Fly Fishing Reel – 9/10 – CNC Machined Large Arbor Fishing Reel – C/W RIO Type 3 Sinking Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $100

White River - HBC910 - Hobbs Creek Fly Reel - C/W Wind RIVER WF10 - LIKE NEW! - $125

SOLD! – White River – HBC910 – Hobbs Creek Fly Reel – C/W Wind RIVER WF10 – LIKE NEW! – $125

White River - HBC78 - Hobbs Creek Fly Reel - C/W Fight Club WF9F Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $100

White River – HBC78 – Hobbs Creek Fly Reel – C/W Fight Club WF9F Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $100

White River - HBC56 - Hobbs Creek Fly Reel - C/W RIO Gold DT5F Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $100

SOLD! – White River – HBC56 – Hobbs Creek Fly Reel – C/W RIO Gold DT5F Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $100

Dragonfly Journey Fly Reel - C/W BPS WF6F Fly Line - GREAT SHAPE! - $50

SOLD! – Dragonfly Journey Fly Reel – C/W BPS WF6F Fly Line – GREAT SHAPE! – $50

South Bend No. N1140 Automatic Fly Reel - C/W WF5 Fly Line - LIKE NEW! - $50

South Bend No. N1140 Automatic Fly Reel – C/W WF5 Fly Line – LIKE NEW! – $50

Vision - #5 Fly Reel - C/W WF6S T2 Sinking Fly Line - GREAT SHAPE! - $50

SOLD! – Vision – #5 Fly Reel – C/W WF6S T2 Sinking Fly Line – GREAT SHAPE! – $50