![]() “I think people are going to remain interested in staying fit, being healthy and getting outside.” The public health crisis may have been a wake-up call for many Americans that could have a lasting impact on how they see outdoor recreation, Powell said. Outdoor recreation accounted for 1.6 percent of Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product in 2019, according to the U.S. One out of five of those visitors bought outdoor recreation equipment and apparel last year and 37 percent of those who did spent $250 or more. ![]() Some 86 percent of visitors said the time they spent in state parks and forests was essential to their mental and physical health during the pandemic, a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources survey suggests. Pennsylvania’s state parks drew 45 million visitors last year - 8 million more than in 2019, despite being closed to camping early during the pandemic. Walking, running, bicycling, birdwatching and fishing attracted the most newcomers. The desire to get out of the house, get some exercise, stay healthy, connect with nature and manage stress were among the top reasons Americans resumed or started an outdoor activity during the pandemic, according to a recent Outdoors Industry Association survey. Sixty-five percent said they now seek outdoor activities to occupy their time. In a national Harris poll, 69 percent of Americans said they acquired an increased appreciation of the experience of being outdoors after the early pandemic lockdowns were lifted. Americans have turned to the outdoors for relief from screen-time overload, social lives cramped by limits on gatherings and other pandemic impositions that test their sanity. If there’s a silver lining to the pandemic, the outdoor recreation industry has found it. “You think about all of the pain and suffering we’ve been through, and yet, parts of this business are off-the-wall good.” The outdoors beckons “This is unprecedented,” said Matt Powell, NPD senior sports industry advisor. Sales of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and canoes, golf equipment, tents and other camping equipment, and binoculars and other gear related to bird watching and viewing nature all saw double-digit growth last year, according to NPD Group, a market research firm. Bicycle sales were up 52 percent last year. A trip to the Big Horn River in Montana sold out the day the shop announced it.Īnd it’s not only fly-fishing gear for which pandemic-weary Americans are clamoring. In fact, business at the shop is so good this year that replacing inventory is a challenge as manufacturers of waders, fly rods and other gear struggle to keep up with demand. We didn’t totally make up for what we lost in the early months, but we did really well. He reopened in June after the number of new COVID cases in the region slowed to a trickle. What happened next, however, was unexpected. Phillips closed the shop and kept the doors shut through April and May, the peak season for fly shops in the eastern U.S. trout streams, Cuba and other fly-fishing destinations followed suit. At International Angler, a fly-fishing outfitter in Robinson where he is general manager, a scheduled trip to the Bahamas fell apart as customers canceled. Businesses were shutting down when he returned. The choice of rod is really a personal thing - depends on the length, line-weight and action he likes.The COVID-19 pandemic had reached southwestern Pennsylvania in his absence. If you know the sort of rod he likes and the lineweight I may have something you can borrow so he can try one. Of the less pricey 4 pce rods around now I'd suggest checking out a Greys X-Flite - new on the market - light stylish rods, the two I have are a match for any premium rod of just a few years back and give some of the current lot a damned good run for their money. I use an #8 Frequent Flyer as a backup for saltwater fishing - again a good rod but not in the same league as say the Helios #8 I had on a recent trip - awesome rod! Quite a distinctive action, deeper than some of the current bunch. I've used a CTS Affinity 4pce - very nice rod indeed. The March Brown Hidden Water 9ft #5 is a fast action, stiffish rod - decent value - I've also had a breakage with that rod but March Brown were exceptionally quick about replacing the rod. I'd steer him towards a 4-pce rod, the convenience of more sections is outbalanced by the added weight and getting all the sections lined up and keeping them aligned.
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