Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Fall 2025 Launch

Our friends at RIO Products have some exciting new gear that just launched! Here's the rundown of the new products available 8/12/25.

Elite Scandi Body

RIO's original Scandi Body has a long-standing cult following among Spey enthusiasts. It was particularly unique in that you could fish it on a shorter rod with a shorter 10' leader or light tip or add a longer tip to fish it on a longer rod. This still holds true in the new Elite Series Scandi Body, but they made a few distinct changes. This series comes with the current core and coating tech found in other Elite Series lines. From a fishing perspective, the head length now varies more with the corresponding grain weight. The heavier versions are a bit longer to better accommodate commonly used Spey rods in 8-10 weight.

Elite Scandi MDC Kit

These kits are replacing the Scandi Short Versitip and Scandi Versitip. Kit includes an Elite Scandi Body shooting head, spool of RIO Slickshooter, four new MDC Sink Tips and a Sink Tip Wallet. This system allows anglers to cover most depths with small-medium sized flies. With a short and longer offering, the RIO Elite Scandi MDC Kit has all bases covered for Spey rods of any length imaginable.

MDC Versitip

The VersiTip gets an upgrade for 2025. This Alaska favorite now comes with the tech advantages of the Elite Series core and coating. Similar to RIO's other line kits, the RIO Elite MDC VersiTip Fly Line comes with the line, four new MDC Sink Tips and a Leader Wallet.

MDC Sink Tips

After all this "MDC" talk, what the heck does "MDC" mean!? It stands for Multi-Density Control. Beyond the full floater tip, all other tips in this series are dual or triple density with the terminal end being the most dense. The idea here is to facilitate positive turnover and hold your fly at depth. The MDC Sink Tips are available in 12' 75, 90 and 100 grain and in 18' 130 and 150 grains.

Classic Sink Tip

By the popular demand of B.C. anglers in particular, RIO launched this new line of 15 footers in the Classic Sink Tips Series. Available in five different densities at 95, 110 and 125 grains, these tips will be right at home on any big river with gravel bar runs.

Micro Leader Material

Euro Nymphers rejoice! There's a new leader material! RIO's Micro Leader Material is made of a unique nylon polymer that knots easily and firmly and is also incredibly sensitive. Available in brown, pink and white to allow for endless customization of tight-line leaders.