Rod and Rifle Tackle World at Katherine is celebrating 40 years of serving the outdoor needs of locals and interstate visitors. Despite the long tenure, the business has continued to improve in what is a competitive environment.
Asked about the 40th birthday, Store Manager Trent de With said: “What a year we have had. For 40 years Rod and Rifle has been serving the Katherine community, and we are proud to say it’s been in the one family for almost 32 of those years.
“Our 40th Birthday bash went off with a bang. We had over 1000 people in attendance. For a town with a population of 7000, that’s a bloody good effort from the community.”
Trent said he was overwhelmed with the level of community support. “It instils confidence in you that you are doing something right, and hopefully we will still be here in another 40 years.”
Trent took over managing Rod and Rifle a couple of years ago from his parents, Debbie and Warren. Since then he embarked on a process of adapting and diversifying the store with bolder and braver strategies to enable it to compete with the retail challenges laid down by the Outdoor store supermarkets.
“The last couple of years at Rod and Rifle have been a roller coaster ride for us,” Trent said.
“The store has gone through some massive changes to keep it current in the market; we have extended our fishing range to be able to provide more stock, more lures and a wider range of high-end reels.
Trent said it had been another amazing dry season in Katherine with temperatures quite often falling below 10C.
“And we’ve also had to do some adjusting to the layout to fit in the ever-growing range of YETI. Since taking on this account it has been an amazing product that people have embraced and fallen in love with. YETI is such a well-built and backed product, I don’t think there is a person in the Northern Territory who doesn’t own a YETI.”
Trent said it had been another amazing dry season in Katherine with temperatures quite often falling below 10C.
“It’s given families the perfect reason to get out and go camping,” Trent said, adding that there was nothing better than spending time with family around a campfire.
With Katherine’s perfect location people can travel only an hour or so out of town and be camping beside a river or billabong enjoying all the Territory has to offer, he said.
The Katherine store is situated at the cross-roads for fishing in the Northern Territory with the Daly, Roper and Victoria Rivers all under three hours away.
“We pride ourselves on local knowledge, where and when the fish are biting, current river and road conditions,” Trent said.
“Our staff have been fishing hard this year doing several trips to different locations to ensure that they have the best and most up to date knowledge about what lures are working in different systems.
“Whether you are an experienced angler looking to get away from the crowds and fish somewhere different, or a complete novice looking to land your first ever barra, our team can point you in the right direction.”
Trent said the team at Rod and Rifle Tackleworld want to thank their customers for the continued support, to stay safe on the water and enjoy time with family.
“And remember to shop local to support local families as the money goes straight back into the community.”
Address
14 Second St
Katherine
NT Australia 850
Phone 08 8972 1020
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