Jim Bartschi, President of Scott Rods is all smiles after wining both – Best salt water rod & Best of Show categories with the new Scott Meridian.
People often ask me how I feel about the state of the fly-fishing market. There’s no easy answer for such a complex question. But here’s some food for thought. One of the most reliable indicators of the “health” of the industry is on display, once a year, at the International Fly Tackle Dealer trade show, in the form of the New Product Showcase. I’ve seen the tide ebb and flow. “Up” years indicate that the manufacturers are investing in research and product development. Some companies (usually the big ones) make that a priority all the time. But the companies that are living hand-to-mouth don’t have that luxury. They must make money to invest, and so on.
This year’s New Product Showcase featured nearly 250 products, literally hundreds more than I have seen in the past. It was an impressive collection of very sound, smart designs. The big hitters like Far Bank, Orvis, and Simms went large. Pure Fishing is pressing reintroductions of icons like the Pflueger Medalist reel, and Fenwick (and Hardy) rods. And a number of smaller, niche players really made statements. That tells me the doldrums from a few years ago are gone, and there is optimism xanax no prescription pharmacy looking forward. You have good reason, as a retailer, to share that optimism, and check these things out.
Here are the winners, in every category from the show:
Men’s Waders: Simms Fishing Products: WQW G3 Guide Waders
Women’s Waders: Redington: Willow River Wader
Chest Pack/Vest: Fishpond: Summit Sling
Men’s Outerwear: Simms Fishing Products: Vapor Elite Jkt
Women’s Outerwear: Simms Fishing Products: Women’s Hyalite Jkt
Youth Product: Umpqua Feather Merchants: Rock Creek 2S Chest Pack
Eco-Friendly Product: Fishpond: Thunderhead Sling
Fly Rod – Freshwater: Sage Fly Fishing: MOD
Fly Rod – Saltwater: Scott Fly Rod Co: The Meridian
Reel – Freshwater: Nautilus Reels: X 4/6
Reel – Saltwater: Nautilus Reels: X 7/9
Boat/Personal Watercraft: Estrada Art. LLC: Estrada Signature L2 Fish
Fly Line – Freshwater: RIO Products: The Light Line
Fly Line – Saltwater: RIO Products: In Touch Striper Line
Fly Box/Storage System: Tacky Fly Fishing: The Big Bug Box
Fly Tying Materials/Equipment: Peak Fishing: PRVLIRS
Fly Pattern – Freshwater: Fly Men Fishing Co: Broyhill’s Jack Knife
Fly Pattern – Saltwater: Umpqua Feather Merchants: Lexo’s Pop Up Crab
Accessory: Hatch Outdoors. Inc: The Hatch Nipper
Men’s General Apparel: Sage Fly Fishing: Guide Shirt
Women’s General Apparel: Simms Fishing Products: Women’s Pro REINA Shirt
DVD: Angler’s Book Supply – Tributaries: The Series
Book: Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures – Fly Fish Belize
Gift Item: DeYoung Studio – DeYoung Saltwater Pilsner Glass
Luggage: Simms Fishing Products: Bounty Hunter 100 Roller
Wading Boots: Simms Fishing Products: The Intruder Boot
Best of Show: Scott Fly Rod Co: The Meridian
