I don't go to any of those flyshops anymore! Even though I like to chat with the flyguys there, it is so much easier and "cheaper" to buy the tying materials online. And it's much better to chat with cyber-dudes, just like on this site!!
Same with complete outfits, Cabelas has combo sales that no one can match........ or eBay, or all the tackle sales on all the fly fishing sites.
And gas, $3 a gallon, even if you drive to the flyshops, they won't have what you are looking for anyway. All the flyshop guy can do is try to sell you the old outdated junk he has on his shelves....... and for rod advise, let's face it, he will only promote the stuff he has on his shelf.
When I purchased my last fly rod, I first went to a couple fly shops. They had old stuff at a inflated price, and I couldn't test the rod I wanted to buy. I went to Cabelas, in Hamburg, and the flyshop let me test all the rods I wanted. That's where I got my Sage, I chose it over a Legend Ultra.
And craft shops!!!! I'm starting to think like "Farmer Dave" and don't want to be taken anymore with the high price flyshop junk!