BUSINESS FEATURE Grapevine Fly Fishing Longtime outdoors enthusiast shares love of y- shing with community W hen he was 12 years old, Michael Tulowitzki said he began y- shing. It was
BY BAILEY LEWIS
apart from other similar businesses, Tulowitzki said, is that the shop is not corporate, which means Tulow- itzki can order whatever a customer wants without having to jump through hoops. In addition to the store itself, Tulowitzki said he loves hosting y- shing events at the shop, such as a monthly y-tying event, where people come in and learn how to tie ies. Tulowitzki said his favorite part involved. “I tell people all the time— sh don’t live in ugly places,” Tulowitzki said. “Even if you’re not catching sh, you’re outside, you’re having a fun time, and it’s beautiful.” Most importantly, Tulowitzki said the sport of y- shing has evolved and opened up more to people who may not t the stereotype of a y- sher. “[Fly- shing] is always viewed as a bunch of old, white men,” Tulowitzki said. “But there’s more women involved now than there ever about owning Grapevine Fly Fishing is getting new people has been. There’s more minorities involved than there ever has been. And that’s a good thing. It’s a great thing for the sport, but even more importantly, I think it’s a great thing for humanity.”
then that he and his childhood best friend began to dream about opening their own y- shing store one day. Throughout his life, Tulowitzki lived in New York, Colorado, Illinois, Georgia and Wyoming before even- tually moving to Grapevine, he said. He later decided it was time to open a y- shing business of his own. “I knew there was a need, especially for a shop that carries a lot of y-tying material, because that was lacking in the places here,” Tulowitzki said. Grapevine Fly Fishing o cially opened for business in February 2021, Tulowitzki said. A lot of miscon- ceptions surround what y- shing is, and Tulowitzki explained that the bait mimics small insects, such as ies, which is where the name “ y- shing” comes from. He said any sh that can be caught with a regular rod and reel can be caught with a y rod and reel. The shop sells a wide variety of products crucial for y- shing, ranging from reels and rods to all sorts of y-tying materials, such as thread, beads, hooks, feathers and much more, Tulowitzki said. What sets Grapevine Fly Fishing
Grapevine Fly Fishing o ers a wide variety of y-tying materials, including beads, feathers, hooks and more, as well as Thomas & Thomas, Mystic, Risen and Taylor brand rods.
PHOTOS BY BAILEY LEWIS COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
FLY TYING MATERIALS: THREAD
“EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT CATCHING FISH, YOU’RE OUTSIDE, YOU’RE HAVINGA FUN TIME, AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL.” MICHAEL TULOWITZKI, OWNER
• One of the y-tying materials sold is thread, which comes in a variety of colors, sizes and types. • The thread is used to hold y-tying materials to a hook and typically matches the color of the fake y bait to blend. • Owner Michael Tulowitzki said the thread can even be used to add segmented colors to the bait to make it look more realistic.
Thread used for y tying comes in di erent types, such as wool and wire.
Owner Michael Tulowitzki opened Grapevine Fly Fishing in February 2021.
Grapevine Fly Fishing also sells reels, including Greys reels and Hardy reels.
Grapevine Fly Fishing 122 N. Main St., Grapevine 720-453-6878 www.grapevine y shing.com Hours: Tue.-Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun.-Mon. closed
DOVE LOOP RD.
114
N
Surprisingly great rates right around the corner. Surprisingly gre t r t s right around th c r. urpris g y g t r e ght o Surprisingly great rates right around the corner.
16 Years of everything lighting Interior and Exterior
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm ® underwriting requirements. Li e go neighbor, S ate F rm is th . Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® I’m your one-stop shop for the service you deserve at a price you want. Call me for surprisingly great rates and Good Neighbor service right in your neighborhood.
Jocelyn Hope ChFC CLU, Agent 414 N Main Street Suite 106 Grapevine, TX 76051 Bus: 817-778-4504
www.insurewithhopesf.com Hablamos Espa ñ ol
817-310-3261 Call for your free landscape lighting quote today! Passion Lighting 1649 W Northwest Highway GV www.passionlighting.com
State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001880 State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001880 State Farm Bloo ington, IL 2 01 80
State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001880
14
COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook