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They hope their idea will score a bull's-eyeMay 11, 2013 (The Free Lance-Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Gerald and Sherry Fisher have turned his longtime passion for bow hunting into a new business. They've opened Rock Springs Archery, a custom bow and arrow shop with a 3-D shooting range, near Ingleside Winery in Oak Grove. "Guys with bows are like teenagers with cars," Gerald Fisher said. "They want fancy mag wheels and stereo systems. Guys with bows like something unique that stands out." The sign for Rock Springs Archery is a bull's-eye marking the Fishers' long, winding driveway at 4296 Leedstown Road. The shop is in their spacious two-story, detached garage. Inside, sample crossbows and compound bows hang on one wall. Gerald Fisher will measure a customer's draw length and pull strength, divide the two numbers to come up with a recommendation, and let him, or increasingly, her, take it outside to shoot at targets. If they like the sample, Sherry Fisher will order that model from Staunton-based Parker Bows, one of the largest bow manufacturers in the world. Prices for its compound bows range from $199 to $599, while its crossbows start at $399 and can cost as much as $1,199. Once a customer's order arrives at the shop, Gerald Fisher will use levels and a laser to ensure that the bow will shoot as accurately as possible. Shining the laser's beam down an arrow, for example, lets him see if the arrow rest needs adjusting. He'll also attach a scale to the bow's cables to adjust the pull. "I set the bow to less than they can pull so it's comfortable for them, but I can move it up," he said. In addition, Rock Springs Archery carries a variety of accessories, including arrows and bow strings that can be customized. Arrows, which sell for around $8, can be cut to size and fletched with feathers in a variety of colors. The store also carries a number of different tip styles and nocks that light up on impact, which makes them easier to find after they've been shot. The Fishers can also use a chronograph to check the speed of an arrow shot from a customer's crossbow at a target outside the shop. "Guys love to know how fast their bow is shooting," Gerald Fisher said. Rock Springs Archery does maintenance in addition to sales. A machine called "the big squeeze" takes the pressure off any type of bow so that old strings can be removed and new ones attached. Another machine is used to create bow strings in whatever length, colors and patterns a customer desires. The Fishers, who have been married for 30 years, have a construction business, G.W. Fisher Homes LLC. They decided to open Rock Springs Archery because that business has been slow ever since the recession, and he's always wanted a custom archery shop, Sherry Fisher said. Their timing is on target. While bow hunters account for the majority of people involved in archery, the sport got what it calls "a mainstream bump" last year from two hit movies starring heroines with awesome archery skills: Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games" and Princess Merida in "Brave." In addition, archery was the top-ranked Olympic sport on cable that summer, and Paul Ryan's interest in bow hunting was mentioned frequently during his vice presidential bid, said Archery Trade Association spokeswoman Amy Hatfield. Rock Springs Archery will cater mostly to bow hunters but also plans to offer lessons and open a course on their property where people can shoot at 30 3-D targets of deer, bear and other animals. "We'd love to have competitions with plaques and prizes," Gerald Fisher said. Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407 [email protected] ___ (c)2013 The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.) Visit The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.) at www.fredericksburg.com/flshome Distributed by MCT Information Services |