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It wouldn't be a stretch to call Northcentral Pennsylvania an angler's paradise with its numerous creeks, rivers and lakes offering plenty of opportunities to catch trout, bass and other game fish. So, it only seemed fitting to bring a fully stocked fly-fishing shop centrally located in Lycoming County.
TCO Fly Shop opened its fifth store in Pennsylvania inside the EuroOptic store at 1203 Lycoming Mall Circle.
"We have come to realize there is a lot of business here," store manager Lenny Gliwa said. "We feel like we are in a great spot for the future."
He should know.
Not only is Gliwa an avid fly fisherman, but he's been involved with each of the TCO shops in the state during the past 16 years, including the State College location.
He first picked up a fly rod when he was 8 and enjoys fishing for trout, smallmouth bass, steelhead, stripers and muskies on the Susquehanna River.
During the store's April 26 opening, he saw familiar faces show up.
"Most people are pretty darn happy to have us around here," he said.
The store will cater mostly to the fly angler, selling rods, reels, flies and fly-fishing apparel. Brand merchandise includes Simms, Grundens, Yeti, Sage and Orvis.
"We can get you outfitted," Gliwa said. "We have stuff for smallmouth bass and trout."
The store also sells some spin-casting equipment.
Eventually, the shop will offer fishing guide services as well as classes in fly-tying, on-water instruction, and casting. So far, Gliwa said, the store has seen a steady and consistent stream of customer traffic. The store employs seven people and is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A grand opening is planned for July 20. TCO was formed in 1990 in West Lawn, Pa., where it still maintains a store.