Kaufmann’s Streamborn fly shops shuttered
FLY FISHING -- Lance Kaufmann, owner of Kaufmann's Streamborn fly fishing shops in Tigard, Ore., and Seattle, plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection for his 42-year-old fly fishing outfitter next week, according to the a report in The Oregonian.
The shuttering of the Northwest's iconic fly fishing outfitter was a surpise to employees going into the busy season, as well as customers who had booked trips and left gear for repair.
Brothers Lance and Randall Kaufmann started the business 42 years ago out of a family garage. Randall sold his interest in the company 5 1/2 years ago, according to his book publicist.
Kaufmann's already had closed its 28-year-old store in Bellevue.
From their parents' garage, the Kaufmann brothers launched a catalog business that put their flies -- including the Kaufmann Stone, Timberline Emerger, Hot Butt Caddis and Stimulator -- on the international fishing scene. Randall Kaufmann, by the way, is the originator of the Stimulator and a great global source of information for anglers and writers over the years.