I do not understand why they do not put in the effort, because educating an angler may get them more long term business.
This is a really good point. betties, wool, hooks etc provide short term revenue but how much long term profit can a store expect from that? Barely $20 worth of terminal gear is probably enough to last me a seasons fishing on the Vedder.
You would think if they could convert them to someone who wants to enjoy the all round fishing experience, better profits can be made when they start buying fly gear, high end reels, custom rods, boating accessories, nice waders/jackets, and on and on and on.
I have no insight into the finances of running a fishing store but it seems there is not much they could add to the selling of betties that cant be done (cheaper) by walmart. Obviously their advantage is in their great knowledge and specialty selections.
I'm thinking it would be a hard task even convincing the local shops.
I know Sea-Run explicitly tries to discourage BB'ing on non-Fraser systems in their blog and reports. It's not much, but its something. I dont know what their in-store interactions on that topic are like, but stores which do not care how the stuff they sell is being used should be made known and not be given any of our business.