LEXINGTON, Ky. — During the pandemic, many Kentuckians picked up outdoor hobbies such as fishing and hunting, and because of that increase in demand, local sporting goods stores are seeing the demand spike reflect in their retail prices.

Brad Myers is the Co-Owner of Backwater Outfitters in Lexington. Encountering many difficult situations throughout the years, recently the impact from the pandemic. 

“I sat here for two days and I didn’t see a car go around New Circle Road and to fathom that,  it was kind of creepy because we sat on those stools up here for two days and nobody went past and I thought oh god we’re dead meat,” Myers said.

But shutting down was never an option.

“This is our sole income. You know, I’m married and my dad’s married, but this was all the income that I have so I couldn’t shut down,” Myers said.

Myers said it wasn’t until the first round of stimulus checks were received that business picked up.

“Tremendous spike in the number of people coming in, and new people coming in,” Myers said.

People want to stay busy during the shutdowns. Myers says the new passion for fishing kept their business alive.

“You know, after being here for 15 years you kind of get accustomed to knowing about 90% of your customers. But over the last two years I’ve met people from all over,” Myers said.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife recently reported that fishing and hunting generated nearly 2.7 billion dollars for Kentucky. Because of that impact, Myers says prices on the retail end have had to increase tremendously. 

Myers believes the increase isn’t just because of the shipping costs, but because the interest in outdoor sports continues to rise. 

“No doubt that it picked up. Even with less inventory in 2021, our numbers were higher because so many more people were able to get outside,” Myers said.