The first time my wife and I stopped by Camp Sherman (mostly as a joke, because my surname is Camp,…read moreand her maiden name is Sherman), we only stopped in to look around and see if it was the sort of place we'd like to take the kids camping in the future. Not only is the campground itself superb, situated next to the Metolius River, it's quiet, private, serene and picturesque, but it is serviced by the equally incredible Camp Sherman Store & Fly Shop.
Over the three days we spent at the campground, we popped into this shop numerous times, conversing with the owners and their family about all sort of things, from the grounds, the wildlife, fishing regulations, nearby sites of interest, and the shop itself. We learned the names of several "pet" critters, including blue jays, chipmunks and squirrels that come by for treats, hanging out on a platform outside the windowsill, eating treats offered by the shopkeepers. When I was "caught" snapping a bunch of pictures for Yelp, and told them what I was up to, one of the owners told me that this shop has been visited by the New York Times twice, and is rated best camp store in the country, and it's not a mystery as to why.
I must not have been paying complete attention the first time we stopped in, because literally anything you could possibly need while "roughing it" (a term I apply *very* loosely) is here: a full deli counter; artisan cheeses; ice cream; beer, wine, sodas, juices and water; foodstuffs, canned and fresh; chips, meat sticks and other snacks; toiletries; tools; sundries; over-the-counter medications; souvenirs; camp-branded clothing and, of course, more fishing gear (fly or otherwise) than you could possibly ever use, available from a manned counter at the back of the shop. There's even an attached post office (with limited hours) and, if you're like me and planned ahead poorly, gasoline available from a pump out front, although you'll end up paying a premium for the convenience (worth it!).
The Camp Sherman Store & Fly Shop takes the stress and worry out of waltzing into the woods and attempting to survive without plumbing and cell phone service for a couple of days. The staff here (which seem to be all members of the same family, although I can't say for certain) are incredibly friendly and personable, and they seem to have planned for every need and eventuality a camper could need. Basically, if you forgot to pack it, the Camp Sherman store has it! Consider your bacon saved...at least until you buy some and fry it up over the campfire, anyway!
