I follow Scratch's shopping approach - and as result, haven't had to venture far from home at all to get what I need/want. The SS Fishing Hole has been more than accommodating with regards to special orders (they brought in a magnifying lens for my vise/vice?). I'm not really big into shopping - I will research first on the net to get an idea of the price of something, but after that, once I get into a shop and find what I'm after, I buy it - provided its not ridiculously overpriced based on my net research. If I can't find what I'm after in town, I go online. Never been in, or bought from a Calgary shop - but I'm still a newb ;^)
I never go to WEM, but I do occasionally make it into the north side FH - not often, perhaps once or twice in a year. May not have always found what I wanted, but service has always been good.
The guys at the Fishing Centre were totally helpful when I made my big step into fly-fishing after that weekend a few years back at Swan fishing with Shan (and a pile of borrowed equipment from Ian). I don't make it in there very often anymore though - probably more due to its location than anything else.
I do look forward to checking out the new Wholesale Sports on the south side...where abouts exactly is it?