2014 IFTD/I-CAST show came and went. I would have stayed longer if they would've let me but the convention center turns the A/C off at closing time so I'll take that as a hint to "please leave!" While many seem to be ready to go I on the other hand can't seem to get enough. Catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, casting some rods and getting to touch and feel some new stuff gets me thinking about possible new toys to add to my already over-inflated collection of fishing equipment. Too many goodies to list them all here but I would like to highlight a few standouts...
Fly Rods
Winston - There is a way different vibe at the Winston booth and I like it!
Boron III TH-MS MicrospeyTom Larimer describes the Microspey |
Sizes 3105-4, 4110-4 and 5116-4. $830. Available Setptember-ish
Casting the New Winston Micro Spey |
Winston Nexus
Winston Nexus 890-4 - This all-Graphite stick has life! |
ShortStix |
Bass rod, Predator rod, or Mangrove rod...call it anything you want but SS doesn't stand for sissy stick. Equip this magnum with a short shooting head line like a RIO Outbound and cast rabbits and chickens with ease. We casted the prototype of this rod back in the winter and it was so impressive we could hardy detain ourselves. The finished version is a true hunter so watch out mangrove tarpon, shallow pike, coastal stripers and lily pad bass, this magnum is headed to the proving grounds and I'm quite confident we have a winner! The ShortStix is 7'6" 3 piece and comes in four sizes, 8/9, 9/10, 10/11 and 11/12. The 10/11 and 11/12 have integrated fighting grip. $400 - $425...Coming soon!
Sage SALT
2014 IFTD Best of Show and Best Saltwater Rod Winner
Sage rod designer Jerry Siem talks about the new SALT |
Get to the point and the Sage SALT does exactly that in its name and its action. Incorporating Konnectic technology into the SALT was a given but the surprise is SALT is not just a METHOD in disguise. The SALT has its very own unique action that can load short for accurate casts but yet progressively builds power the deeper it loads for long ranging double hauls. Sizes 590-4 to 1686-4, $850...Most sizes available now!
Notable Imports
Redington Vapen Black
Stealthy |
Sizes 490-4 to 1290-4, $349.95 Available Now!
Echo Glass Two Hand Spey and Switch rods
Glass! |
Echo Glass Two Hand |
Glass is a blast! Reminds me of my first rod I fished when I was a kid. It loaded all the way to the handle and seemed impossible to break. Glass has made somewhat of a comeback especially in trout rods. They are so relaxed to fish and really do certain techniques superior to graphite like roll casting. While not for everyone or every fishing situation, Glass is back and many new anglers are discovering it for the first time. Echo has taken the next step and applied Glass to Two Hand Spey and Switch Rods. The rods have a classic look, cast silky smooth and won't break your bank. Expected around January 2015.
3106-4 to 8130-4 and everything in between. $279.99 - $299-99
Reels
Kristin Mustad of Nautilus shows off the Silver King to Travis Duddles of Gorge Fly Shop |
Winner - Best of Show Fly Reel Saltwater |
Will be available sometime this fall.
Capacity WF12 w/275yds #30. Price $685
Hatch Finatic 2 Plus
The Hatch Finatic has won our respect and I am glad to say that it doesn't change, (What?). That's right I said it! This is one reel that I wish to stick around awhile longer just like it is. Isn't that the ultimate compliment! So what's the news? Hatch is adding to the Finatic with a 2 plus size. Available mid August.
Trout anglers dream! You now have that perfect size Hatch reel for your 2 or 3 weight. |
Hatch Nomad Pliers
Function + Style = WINNER! |
Word on the street available September 1st.
Abel Sealed Drag
Jeff Patterson presenting the New Abel Sealed Drag |
While cork has been traditional drag material for many great reels over the years there comes a time when you want to fish more and maintain less. Sealed drags are not new and most of the best salt reels have them perfected. Abel has joined the ranks of a sealed drag market with a new reel they simply call Abel Sealed Drag. Abel wanted to get it right so they enlisted the help of an expert Mr. Joe Saracione. With Joe's skills an all new design was created and tested for the new reel. Starting at $550 for a 4/5 size...a 5/6 and 7/8 sizes will come later this fall.
Other Abel news includes three new finishes: Satin Olive, Satin Blue III and Satin Slate.
Ross Animas |
I'm calling Ross Reels the "The one to watch". After many changes of ownership I believe Ross may have finally landed in a great place of ownership by The Mayfly Group and sister company to Abel Reels. The future is bright! The new partnership has already produced a limited run of highly sought after original Ross Gunnisons' and there is talk of a newly designed Gunnison reel for the future. Also happening is a release of a new reel called Animas. The Animas design is built around the long time trusted workings of the CLA (A true workhorse of a fly reel for many years and counting) with modern features including machined aluminum hardware and a first for Ross machined aluminum handle. Comes in two colors: Granite/Bronze hardware and Stealth Black/Moss hardware. 3/4 to 11/12 weights. Starting at $225. Coming Soon!
Gear
Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag
Magnetic Catch and Release |
Boat bags have always had one major malfunction, The zipper! Hard to zip, lids don't want to fit right and who wants to struggle with gear when your next cast could be a fish of a lifetime. Simms impressed me with this new design they came up with. Save the zipper for when your done fishing for the day but make easy access all day long without worry of your gear flying out or getting wet. The new catch and release buckle is amazing. It's magnetic so all you have to do is get it close and it catches but its more technical than just magnets alone. The magnets are actually polar aligned to turn the latch into a lock position and the knob must be turned to release the lock. Innovations like this is what takes a product from same old status to forget the others, this is the only one you want. Sorry all other boat bag manufacturers but this is my top pick! Available Now! $199.95
Simms G4 Pro Jacket
IFTD Best of Show Winner Men's Outerwear
Eric Neufeld Shows the G4 Features |
Slick Jacket gets a new color for 2015...Loden - Available Now!
Simms Wading Staffs
Wade Better! |
Two all new Wading Staffs arriving this month. Both operate on the same design with the main difference being aluminum or carbon fiber shafts. The Pro Wading Staff utilizes carbon fiber for its strength and light weight and also incorporates a contoured cork handle. Both staffs use an adjustable fast lock system to allow a customized length from 51" to 56". Neoprene Sheath comes standard with both staffs and has a nice new design of a wider opening making it much easier to stow the staff than previous models. One thing to note is that both new staffs DO NOT come with a retractor. Simms Wading Staff Retractors can be purchased seperately for $24.95. The Aluminum Wading Staff retails for $99.95 and the Pro Carbon Fiber Staff retails for $149.95. Available sometime in August 2014
Fly Lines
2014 IFTD Best of Show New Saltwater line RIO Permit Fly Line
Make that one cast count |
WF8F - WF10F. $89.95 Available Now!
More New Stuff from RIO
George Cook Explains the new lines |
Many other new lines from RIO coming soon include RIO Skagit Max Long, RIO InTouch Extreme Indicator and RIO InTouch T-Series Sink Tip Material.
Airflo is on the move!
Switch Float |
The struggle to line a switch rod for trout has gone on far too long. Your long awaited answer has arrived!
Switch Streamer |
Switch Float comes in WF3 to WF8 with grain weights of 175, 235, 310, 370, 430 and 490 and comes with a floating polyleader tip. Switch Streamer comes in WF4 to WF6 with grain weights of 300, 330, 360, 390 and 420 and comes with a fast sink polyleader tip. Both lines will retail each for $99.95. Availability...Can't get here soon enough!
Kelly Galloup joins the Airflo design staff |
Kelly Galloup and Captain Bruce Chard Join the Airflo Design Consultant Staff and have already went to work on some cool new lines. Besides these new lines being designed with talented minds they will also feature all the best stuff from Airflow including Super-Dri, Power Core and Ridge Technology.
Captain Bruce Chard joins the Airflo design staff |
The Airflo Kelly Galloup lines include a Nymph, Streamer float and Streamer Max Long. All these lines feature very powerful tapers for turning the big flies! $79.99 to $84.99. Coming Soon!
Airflo's Chard Tropical fly lines kicks off with an awesome new taper appropriately named Chard Tropical Punch. The secret to this line is its compact front taper and extended rear taper. WF8 to WF12...$84.99Coming Soon!
S/A is going places
Sharkwave Siege - IFTD Winner Freshwater Fly lineBeer:30 |
Sharkwave Saltwater Titan
Scientific Anglers took the already popular Textured Titan Taper and made a Saltwater Sharkwave version of it. The Titan already does a great job of carrying big flies and now it has the Sharkskin Tip for high float, Textured running line for long cast and a Tactile Reference point for determining where the best loading point in the line is. $99.95...Available in November 2014
Textured Titan Intermediate
I have been a fan of the Textured Titan since it was introduced. It has an aggressive head to carry large flies and a nice rear taper that actually helps it to carry line during your cast. Now available in a full intermediate version from 6 to 11 weight. $84.95...Available in November 2014
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