KENT — Ethan Raskin’s new shop at 15 N. Main St. in Kent, Sportsmen’s Connection, is a welcome addition to this town, where outdoor activities are as important as the arts.
Raskin wanted to start with a “soft opening” — which he did on April 1. That went well enough and led up to the official opening — with an eye-catching new sign — on Thursday, April 15.
Raskin has been a fishing guide for 20 years, and operated the Rip Lips Fishing shop in a small space behind Annie Bananie’s General Store in Kent for seven years.
”I’m diversified,” Raskin said of the new iteration of his shop. In addition to supplies for fishermen, he will have outdoor and camping gear, which will be a boon to Appalachian Trail hikers who came to Annie Bananie’s on their way north to Maine.
But the heart of the business is still fishing — and Raskin’s spectrum of fishing equipment is staggering, with gear for fly-fishing, fly-tying, spinning, salt water, fresh water and every other possible permutation of the sport.
His Rip Lips private brand is available, including his famous tungsten beads.
With the Housatonic River here, as well as with the region’s abundance of lakes, streams and ponds, Raskin says “Northwest Connecticut has a lot to offer.” Lures, flies and bait are designed to be irresistible to small-mouth bass, pike and trout.
Also irresistible to the right kind of person: The assortment of sleeping bags, trail clothing, camping equipment, binoculars, outdoor-themed toys and more.
The unexpected surprise: pickles!
Raskin has created his own brand of pickles and is selling them under the Free Range Pickle Co. brand name. He hopes the crunchy snacks (also excellent for fighting off leg cramps) will entice “the non-fishing/hunting world.”
The store also has a rack of custom-made small-batch mustard, made by a friend in Pennsylvania; there are seven flavors.
If Raskin is not in the shop (probably “gone fishing”), Lynette Hatfield, knowledgeable and friendly, is there and happy to help.
Sportsmen’s Connection is at 15 N. Main in Kent. Store hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but call to confirm at 860-927-1313. The website is https://riplipsfishing.com. Find photos on Instagram at sportsmensconnection.
