Yellow Dog gets teeth into retail outlet

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, a US travel company specialising in flyfishing vacation packages and worldwide travel, has acquired a nearby fly shop as it moves into retail for the first time.

The purchase of Fins & Feathers is understood to have been driven by the Bozeman, Montana-based outfit’s desire to better serve and prepare its travelling clients.

Founded in 2000, Yellow Dog is a specialty booking company focused on providing the best flyfishing and travel experiences in the world and offering both freshwater and saltwater destinations, with more than 240 lodges in 36 countries.

Company CEO Jim Klug explained: “Yellow Dog has always put our customers first. The one gap in our service offerings has been the ability to ensure customers have the proper flies, equipment and apparel for every destination we offer – be it close to home or halfway around the world.

“By acquiring Fins & Feathers, we can now pair specific gear and equipment with the most relevant information for our entire line-up of locations. We believe this acquisition will complete the circle for the overall Yellow Dog customer experience.”

Toby Swank, owner and founder of Fins & Feathers of Bozeman, added: “We are excited to be joining the team at Yellow Dog and helping them with continuing to evolve as one of the premier brands in fly fishing. Our businesses have worked closely over the years to engage the local flyfishing community while finding creative ways to add value to our shared customer’s flyfishing experiences.

“This is the next step in that process and we are thrilled to be a part of the Yellow Dog family. Like Fins & Feathers, Yellow Dog was founded and created in Bozeman, and they have been a part of the local scene for more than two decades. This is the perfect fit, and one which will benefit our customers, employees and the fly fishing industry as a whole.”

The fly shop will be re-branded as Yellow Dog Outfitters and will focus solely on providing retail solutions and information. All staff will remain as will the bricks-and-mortar location at Four Corners.

By combining the two businesses, Yellow Dog will employ between 40 to 50 people across the Four Corners retail location and the downtown Bozeman travel office.

X