I met Selene 20 years ago at the Penobscot fly fishers fly tying symposium. They invited tiers from around the state to come and tie. Selene sat next to me and I instantly knew she was an amazing tier. She became famous for tying Carry Steven’s flies with out a vise so I was excited when I received a email saying she had opened a fly shop in Gardiner. Stac and I finally had time this past weekend to go check it out.

We put the address in our GPS and without expectations we were on our way.  We exited the interstate and found ourselves on a street lined with small businesses. A main street filled with small shops, restaurants, even a cigar shop, all within walking distance.  Also within walking distance is the Kennebec River which is known for it’s shad, stripers, browns, pike and smallmouth bass.

We walked into the fly shop and we were immediately greeted by the shop dogs, Happy and Fritz. The shop was bright and spacious. An incredible space broken into separate rooms including a classroom for tying and entomology classes.  The shop has a little bit of everything a fly fisher  and or tier might need, rods, flies, materials, vises and books. Selene has been open for a few months and is continuing to grow and get in new inventory.  And with a shop like this, there is plenty of room for growth.  

“The shop is a full service fly shop carrying Winston and Echo fly rods to cover the full range of entry level as well as USA made quality rods all with a full warranty. Beginner outfits start at $189. All american Lamson reels are in the case and Airflo fly lines and poly leaders stock the wall.  There are a multitude of rooms in the shop. One carries fly tying materials. Another has vises, tools, hooks and books.  HMH, and Renzetti are the major brands in vises with Loon and Griffin tools.  She has a unique collection of collectable books for sale with many that are signed or first edition books that date back a hundred years.  Oh, and flies, there are 8,146 of them in stock and more being tied by local tyers to get ready for spring.  Lastly, lots of classes are offered either through the local MSAD11 adult ed or through the shop.” 

The shop is already embedded in the local community, donating a Echo outfit to the local library, where it can be signed out to be fished or for practicing your casting in the local park. She also told us the local high school offers a weekly fly tying program for students where they are dropped off and picked up for a fly tying class at the shop. I think she is a nice addition to the community. 

We look forward to seeing how the shop grows and will be stopping in when we are in the area fishing or just enjoying a beer down the road.

To find out about classes, how to find the shop or order online: www.selenesflyshop.com